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CEFAS26-11 Framework for Next Generation Sequencing Services

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

11 Sep 2026 at 10:37

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

14 May 2026 at 08:23

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) has established a framework for next-generation sequencing services supporting research programmes in genomics. The requirement covers laboratory and technical analysis services delivered in the UK across four areas: targeted sequencing, including amplicon sequencing, metabarcoding and library enrichment; whole-genome, metagenomic, transcriptomic, single-cell and spatial transcriptomic sequencing; long-read sequencing using PacBio or Oxford Nanopore Technologies; and ad hoc requirements such as RAD-Seq or other proprietary methods that Cefas cannot perform in-house. The framework will support projects involving microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection, genome assembly, antimicrobial-resistance screening, population genetics, methylation, epigenetics, functional annotation, metabolic pathways and gene expression.

This procurement is complete and was awarded on 10 September 2026 through an open procedure for a closed framework. The framework value is £1,000,000 excluding VAT (£1,200,000 including VAT), with £250,000 excluding VAT (£300,000 including VAT) allocated to each of Lots 1 to 4. Bids closed on 19 June 2026, enquiries closed on 10 June 2026, and the award decision period ended on 20 July 2026. The framework contract period is 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2029, with two possible 12-month extensions to 30 September 2031. Biomarker Technologies, Northumbria University, University of Exeter, QIB Extra, Edinburgh Genetics and University of Plymouth were awarded Lot 1; Biomarker Technologies, Novogene, University of Exeter, Edinburgh Genetics and QIB Extra Lot 2; Northumbria University, University of Exeter, Biomarker Technologies, Edinburgh Genetics and Edinburgh Innovations Lot 3; and Biomarker Technologies, Earlham Institute, Novogene and Source BioScience Lot 4. Each lot was evaluated on technical quality (65%), social value (10%) and cost (25%).

This award demonstrates recurring demand from Cefas for specialist genomic laboratory capacity across targeted, whole-genome, long-read and bespoke sequencing. Suppliers well placed for future opportunities would need proven capability in the relevant sequencing platforms and analyses, reliable laboratory workflows, and the ability to support research applications spanning environmental genomics, microbiomes, pathogens, population genetics, antimicrobial resistance and transcriptomics. Lot 4 favours providers with distinctive or proprietary technologies and the flexibility to handle requirements outside standard categories. The procurement was explicitly suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, and attracted substantial SME participation, indicating that smaller specialist laboratories can compete alongside universities and larger providers. Credibility will depend on technical performance, social value, cost control and capacity to support multiple research projects.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

CEFAS26-11 Framework for Next Generation Sequencing Services

Notice Description

Cefas are seeking to establish a Framework for the provision of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) services, for a variety of NGS analyses methods, to support the delivery of numerous and varied research programmes that are utilising genomics. The framework is split into 4 Lots and Suppliers can bid for any number of Lots. Cefas intends to award up to 5 Contracts for each Lot, based on Suppliers meeting the required technical and pricing evaluation criteria. Cefas will then call-off from the framework for individual project requirements, as set out in the full Specification of Requirement document in the Bidder Pack. If a Supplier is awarded multiple Lots, one Contract will be awarded to cover the relevant Lots. The Contract implementation is expected to start in August 2026 for a period of 3 years with the option to extend for 2 further periods of 12 months each. Prices will be fixed for the initial 3 year period of the Contract. Prices may then be increased on an annual basis if the Contract is extended, in line with CPI. Lot 1 - Targeted Sequencing Suppliers will deliver targeted sequencing analyses, such as: * Amplicon sequencing and metabarcoding, utilising mainly 16S, 18S, COI and ITS markers, but also other custom primers may be required on an ad-hoc basis. * Library enrichment, such as bait capture/hybrid probe capture techniques. Lot 2 - Whole Genome Suppliers will deliver whole genome, metagenomic and transcriptomic sequencing, in applications such as: * Whole genome/metagenomic sequencing for microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection, genome assembly, AMR screening, population genetics. * Transcriptomic/single-cell/spatial transcriptomic sequencing for host-pathogen interactions, functional annotation/classification, metabolic pathways, gene expression. Lot 3 - Long-Read Sequencing Suppliers will provide long-read sequencing analysis, using either PacBio or Oxford Nanopore Technologies. This may be for several different applications, mainly studies of: * Microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection * Whole-genome assembly, AMR screening, population genetics * Nanopore-specific - Methylation sequencing, epigenetics Lot 4 - Ad-Hoc Requirements Suppliers will ad-hoc requests, i.e. those that do not fit in the prior lot categories. This would most likely be utilised when a unique/proprietary technology or analysis is required, such as RAD-Seq, that Cefas cannot undertake in-house. Specifics would be detailed in the individual project request via the call-off process, which will be a mini-competition process as set out in Appendix 4. AWARDED SUPPLIERS - Lot 1 Biomarker Technologies University of Northumbria University of Exeter QIB Extra Edinburgh Genetics University of Plymouth Lot 2 Biomarker Technologies Novogene University of Exeter Edinburgh Genetics QIB Extra Lot 3 University of Northumbria University of Exeter Biomarker Technologies Edinburgh Genetics Edinburgh Innovations Lot 4 Biomarker Technologies Earlham Institute Novogene Source BioScience **Please note due to system constraints please note that the actual number of assessed tenders for lot 4 was 4***

Lot Information

Lot 1 - Targeted Sequencing

Renewal: 2 x 12 months

Lot 2 - Whole Genome

Renewal: 2 x 12 months

Lot 3 - Long-Read Sequencing

Renewal: 2 x 12 months

Lot 4 - Ad-Hoc Requirements

Renewal: 2 x 12 months

DUMMY LOT - PLEASE IGNORE

Dummy Lot only due to system error with publishing notice

Renewal: 2 x 12 months

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069850
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086264-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large, 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

71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services

73111000 - Research laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
19 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Sep 20266 days ago
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 30 Sep 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Active, Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LOWESTOFT
Postcode
NR33 0HT
Postcode Area
Norwich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH63 East Suffolk
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
East Suffolk
Electoral Ward
Kirkley & Pakefield
Westminster Constituency
Lowestoft

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
10
Supplier Names

University of Plymouth

Source BioScience UK Limited

Earlham Institute

University of Edinburgh

NOVOGENE (UK) COMPANY LIMITED

QIB Extra

Northumbria University

University of Exeter

Edinburgh Genetics Limited

Biomarker Technologies (BMK) GmbH

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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