Award

Modules from and membership to the NE Atlantic Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control Scheme (NMBAQC)

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

27 Feb 2026 at 13:58

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Natural Resources Wales, located in Cardiff, is responsible for procuring services related to the North-East Atlantic Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control Scheme (NMBAQC). This procurement process falls under the public authority - sub-central government category and adheres to Welsh devolved regulations. As part of the procurement process, the Environment Agency based in Peterborough acts as the supplier. The procurement method is direct and took place below the threshold without competition. The contract started on 22nd December 2025 and is scheduled to end on 31st March 2026. The NMBAQC provides quality assurance for marine biological data, which is crucial for statutory marine monitoring programmes across the UK.

This tender offers potential growth opportunities for businesses providing environmental services, particularly those specialising in marine services and quality assurance. Companies with expertise in marine biological data analysis and quality control procedures could benefit from this tender. The involvement of Natural Resources Wales and the Environment Agency underscores the significance of external quality assurance schemes in maintaining high national standards for marine data. Businesses that align with these standards and have capacities to contribute through services like sediment particle size analysis and benthic invertebrate testing are well-positioned to compete.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Modules from and membership to the NE Atlantic Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control Scheme (NMBAQC)

Notice Description

All UK Competent Monitoring Authority laboratories and their contractors undertaking sample analysis for statutory marine monitoring programmes are required to participate within an externally run analytical quality control scheme. The NMBAQC fulfils this role. The NMBAQC scheme is a quality assurance scheme developed on behalf of the UK competent monitoring authorities (CMAs). Its principal aim is to provide assessment of marine biological data contributing to UK national or European monitoring programmes. The NMBAQC scheme provides a source of external Quality Assurance (QA) for laboratories engaged in the production of marine biological data and supporting data (e.g. sediment particle size analysis). NRW participates in the following modules; Fish Ring Tests (inc. reverse ring test), Rockyshore Macroalgae Ring Test, Opportunistic Macroalgae Ring Tests, Particle Size Analysis Ring Tests, Particle Size Own Sample Test, Benthic Invertebrate Own Sample and Benthic Invertebrate Laboratory Ring Test in order to participate in these modules and access additional resources on the NMBAQC website, NRW must also become a member of NMBAQC. NRW participates in these modules to provide quality assurance of our marine and coastal data, collected by carrying out surveys and analysis. These survey and analysis methodologies are assessed to a high national standard by participating in the NMBAQC scheme and provide NRW, and our customers with a high degree of confidence of our data.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065e60
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017949-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

90700000 - Environmental services

98360000 - Marine services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£95,775 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Dec 20253 months ago
Contract Period
22 Dec 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATURAL RESOURCES WALES
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF10 3NQ
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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