Award

RBGKEW1513 Cacao TEA and SIRA

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

28 May 2026 at 06:33

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The contract "RBGKEW1513 Cacao TEA and SIRA" involves a direct award by the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, classified under the public authority central government. It focuses on conducting trace element analysis and stable isotope analysis of cacao samples originally sourced from South America. The contract was awarded to FERA SCIENCE LIMITED, indicating the completion of the award stage. The procurement was conducted without competition as it was below the threshold, following a direct procurement method. The contract commenced on 1st January 2026 and concluded on 31st March 2026, with analysis work completed by FERA at their York-based facility, covering an extensive range of regions across the United Kingdom.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses involved in research laboratory services, specifically those skilled in advanced spectroscopy and analytical services. Enterprises engaging in scientific research and possessing capabilities in mass spectrometry can find favourable prospects in similar future contracts with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew or other public organisations. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with a focus on delivering specialised services without requiring competitive bids might find such direct award contracts advantageous for establishing a reputable portfolio in governmental scientific projects.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

RBGKEW1513 Cacao TEA and SIRA

Notice Description

Direct Award Trace element analysis (TEA) of approximately 100 cacao seed subsamples using Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Stable Isotope Analysis (SIRA) of approximately 60 cacao samples (both fatted & defatted fractions) using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IR-MS). These samples were donated to Kew from various countries in South America (Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil) during the previous Defra-funded projects with World Forest ID. All samples will be sent to the supplier in January 2026 and would have to analysed and data returned by end of March 2026 following identical pipelines and MSAs/MTAs as a logical follow-on to those analysed by Fera during the previous WFID projects to maintain protection of sample and data chain of custody and continuity of data quality for standardised results and interpretation.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a6ed
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049995-2026
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
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73111000 - Research laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£58,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 May 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Jan 20265 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 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
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS KEW
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
KEW GREEN
Postcode
TW9 3AE
Post Town
Twickenham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI7 Outer London - West and North West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI75 Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Richmond upon Thames
Electoral Ward
Kew
Westminster Constituency
Richmond Park

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FERA SCIENCE

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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