eDNA for water frogs around Lynford Lakes, Norfolk

NATURAL ENGLAND

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

11 Jun 2026 at 13:43

TenderUpdate

23 Apr 2026 at 15:02

Tender

17 Apr 2026 at 14:02

Summary of the contracting process

Natural England, a public authority in central government, has completed an open procurement for laboratory services concerning ecological DNA (eDNA) analysis for marsh frog presence around Lynford Lakes, Norfolk. The contract was awarded to NATURE METRICS LTD, focusing on eDNA sampling to assess invasive marsh frog impact on native northern pool frogs. This procurement falls under the category of laboratory and research laboratory services and was part of a below-threshold, open competition. The procurement process transitioned through planning, tender, and award stages, concluding with a contract start on 1st June 2026, and a potential extension until 16th November 2026.

This tender provides substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in environmental and laboratory services, specifically those proficient in eDNA analysis. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with innovative ecological research methods and those capable of agile response to procurement requirements are well-placed to benefit from similar future contracts. The project allows businesses to engage in conservation efforts, contributing to securing the future of rare amphibian species while expanding their services and reputation within the public procurement landscape.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

eDNA for water frogs around Lynford Lakes, Norfolk

Notice Description

In 2025, putative marsh frogs have been sighted in water bodies near Ickburgh, Norfolk. This species poses a significant threat to the Critically Endangered native northern pool frog through disease transmission, competition, and hybridisation. Ickburgh is some 12km from the known native pool frog population at Thompson Common. The northern pool frog became extinct in the UK by the 1990s but has been successfully reintroduced through a collaborative project led by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and Natural England. Reintroductions began in Norfolk in 2005, with a second release at Thompson Common from 2015-2021. Protecting these populations is critical to securing the future of this rare amphibian. A national contingency plan is in place to respond to an incursion of invasive non-native animal in England. Natural England is the lead agency responsible for the management response. The proposed activity will use eDNA sampling to determine the extent of marsh frog presence/absence across selected water bodies, starting near native pool frog habitats and moving east to west to minimise disease risk. Outputs will include a spatial distribution map to inform Natural England and partners on management control options.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068582
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055296-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,833 Under £100K
Lots Value
£20,833 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£14,114 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Jun 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
30 Apr 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 May 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 16 Oct 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATURAL ENGLAND
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
TLH East (England)

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NATURE METRICS

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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-068582-2026-06-11T14:43:52+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-11T14:43:52+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-068582",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PJDG-6588-XDMM",
            "name": "Natural England",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PJDG-6588-XDMM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SW1P 4DF",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKI32"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "Thomas.Wells@naturalengland.org.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-COH-09243907",
            "name": "NATURE METRICS LTD",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-COH",
                "id": "09243907"
            },
            "additionalIdentifiers": [
                {
                    "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                    "id": "PHQG-4912-ZPVG"
                }
            ],
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "1 Occam Court",
                "locality": "Guildford",
                "postalCode": "GU2 7HJ",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ25"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "sales@naturemetrics.co.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://www.naturemetrics.co.uk",
                "scale": "sme",
                "vcse": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PJDG-6588-XDMM",
        "name": "Natural England"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "NE170426EDNAWF",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "eDNA for water frogs around Lynford Lakes, Norfolk",
        "description": "In 2025, putative marsh frogs have been sighted in water bodies near Ickburgh, Norfolk. This species poses a significant threat to the Critically Endangered native northern pool frog through disease transmission, competition, and hybridisation. Ickburgh is some 12km from the known native pool frog population at Thompson Common. The northern pool frog became extinct in the UK by the 1990s but has been successfully reintroduced through a collaborative project led by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and Natural England. Reintroductions began in Norfolk in 2005, with a second release at Thompson Common from 2015-2021. Protecting these populations is critical to securing the future of this rare amphibian. A national contingency plan is in place to respond to an incursion of invasive non-native animal in England. Natural England is the lead agency responsible for the management response. The proposed activity will use eDNA sampling to determine the extent of marsh frog presence/absence across selected water bodies, starting near native pool frog habitats and moving east to west to minimise disease risk. Outputs will include a spatial distribution map to inform Natural England and partners on management control options.",
        "status": "complete",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71900000",
                        "description": "Laboratory services"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "73111000",
                        "description": "Research laboratory services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKH",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKH",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 25000,
            "amount": 20833,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Below threshold - open competition",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": false,
        "submissionMethodDetails": "To apply for this opportunity you must submit your quotation meeting the requirements detailed in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) attached. Your response must be sent to thomas.wells@naturalengland.org.uk by 6pm on 30/04/2026. If you have any clarification questions linked to this opportunity or the procurement process please submit these via email to thomas.wells@naturalengland.org.uk. Please note that, unless commercially sensitive, both the question and the response will be circulated to all tenderers.",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "notAllowed"
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-30T18:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-24T18:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "otherRequirements": {
            "reservedParticipationLocation": {
                "gazetteer": {
                    "scheme": "GB-ONS",
                    "identifiers": [
                        "K02000001"
                    ]
                }
            }
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "complete",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 25000,
                    "amount": 20833,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-05-11T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2026-10-18T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "description": "See attachments"
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "A-14807",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "RFQ",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14807",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-14948",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Commercial Response Template",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14948",
                "format": "application/pdf"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-14949",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Order Form",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-14949",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "035289-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035289-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-17T15:02:05+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "A-15194",
                "documentType": "biddingDocuments",
                "description": "Clarifications to Bidders Questions",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-15194",
                "format": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document"
            },
            {
                "id": "037233-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037233-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-23T16:02:03+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "037233-2026",
                "description": "Clarifications to bidders questions log added 23/04/26"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "status": "active",
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-COH-09243907",
                    "name": "NATURE METRICS LTD"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "71900000",
                            "description": "Laboratory services"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "73111000",
                            "description": "Research laboratory services"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKH",
                            "country": "GB",
                            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "awardID": "1",
            "title": "eDNA for water frogs around Lynford Lakes, Norfolk",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2026-10-16T23:59:59+01:00",
                "maxExtentDate": "2026-11-16T23:59:59Z"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "There is a 1 month extension option available, subject to business requirements, performance and price. All extension requests and subsequent prices are to be agreed in writing by both parties prior to commencement of the extension period."
            },
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 16936.8,
                "amount": 14114,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "aboveThreshold": false,
            "dateSigned": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00",
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "055296-2026",
                    "documentType": "contractNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK7",
                    "description": "Contract details notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055296-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-06-11T14:43:52+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}