Planning

e-Commercial system - procurement and contract management functionality

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

17 Mar 2026 at 15:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

17 Mar 2026 at 15:16

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), located in London, is seeking market engagement for an e-Commercial system to enhance procurement and contract management functionality. This initiative, set within the information technology services industry, involves key players such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Environment Agency, and others. The contract is scheduled to commence on 1 March 2027 and end on 29 February 2032, with the procurement stage currently in planning. Prospective tenderers are invited to respond to the market engagement by 5 April 2026, with opportunities available for system demonstrations during the engagement period. Future notices regarding this procurement are anticipated on 1 May 2026.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in Information Technology Services, particularly those offering Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. SMEs with innovative e-Commercial platforms can leverage this engagement to establish long-term relationships across multiple public sector bodies such as Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation. The process allows for early engagement and potential customisation to meet the broader needs of public agencies, providing a platform for companies to expand their portfolio within central government operations.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

e-Commercial system - procurement and contract management functionality

Notice Description

Defra has an ongoing requirement for a Software as a Service (SaaS), supporting an e-Commercial system spanning procurement and contract management functionality. The following UK public sector bodies are authorised and enabled to use the current contract: Defra, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Environment Agency, Marine Management Organisation, Natural England, Rural Payments Agency, Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board. The purpose of this notice (and any associated published documents) is for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs ("Defra") to make known its intention to commence market engagement (making no commitment to commence any formal procurement process) for an understanding of e-Commercial systems available for use in the public sector.

Planning Information

The market engagement document is available by request from DgC.SystemsTeam@defra.gov.uk. Prospective tenderers are requested to read the market engagement document and to complete a response to the market engagement questionnaire in Appendix 1 by 05 April 2026. As part of the process we are asking for system demonstrations. You can book demonstration slots prior to submitting your response. A list of demonstration slots is available in the market engagement document - slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Responses should be returned as a PDF copy. All communication should go to DgC.SystemsTeam@defra.gov.uk.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066c82
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024179-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72222300 - Information technology services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 May 20264 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 29 Feb 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-066c82-2026-03-17T15:18:18Z",
    "date": "2026-03-17T15:18:18Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-066c82",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "planning": {
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "024177-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024177-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-17T15:16:02Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "024179-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024179-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-17T15:18:18Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "The market engagement document is available by request from DgC.SystemsTeam@defra.gov.uk. Prospective tenderers are requested to read the market engagement document and to complete a response to the market engagement questionnaire in Appendix 1 by 05 April 2026. As part of the process we are asking for system demonstrations. You can book demonstration slots prior to submitting your response. A list of demonstration slots is available in the market engagement document - slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Responses should be returned as a PDF copy. All communication should go to DgC.SystemsTeam@defra.gov.uk.",
                "dueDate": "2026-04-05T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PNBD-3289-CDGX",
            "name": "Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PNBD-3289-CDGX"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SW1P 4DF",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI32"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@defra.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PNBD-3289-CDGX",
        "name": "Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-066c82",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "e-Commercial system - procurement and contract management functionality",
        "description": "Defra has an ongoing requirement for a Software as a Service (SaaS), supporting an e-Commercial system spanning procurement and contract management functionality. The following UK public sector bodies are authorised and enabled to use the current contract: Defra, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Environment Agency, Marine Management Organisation, Natural England, Rural Payments Agency, Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board. The purpose of this notice (and any associated published documents) is for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (\"Defra\") to make known its intention to commence market engagement (making no commitment to commence any formal procurement process) for an understanding of e-Commercial systems available for use in the public sector.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "72222300",
                        "description": "Information technology services"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2027-03-01T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2032-02-29T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "status": "planned"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-05-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planned",
        "aboveThreshold": true
    },
    "language": "en"
}