CEFAS26-87 ITT for eDNA analysis of samples from Beyond the Reef survey

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

17 Jun 2026 at 09:43

Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) has initiated a public procurement process under the tender stage, inviting bids for a project titled "CEFAS26-87 ITT for eDNA analysis of samples from Beyond the Reef survey." The procurement is focused on the marine conservation industry and aims to analyse samples from a research expedition in the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories. The procurement is facilitated through an open procedure, with the tender period set to close on 17 July 2026. The procurement process is conducted online, allowing electronic submissions in English, and aligns with the UK's legislative requirements. The contract, valued at £180,000 (gross value of £216,000), is expected to commence on 1 September 2026 and conclude by 1 December 2026, with potential flexibility extending to 1 March 2027.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specializing in environmental DNA analysis and associated laboratory services. Companies with expertise in metabarcoding workflows, high-throughput sequencing, and marine biology research are well-suited to compete for this contract. The project's requirements include high levels of transparency and collaboration in laboratory procedures, making it ideal for suppliers with cutting-edge facilities and experience in handling environmental samples. Additionally, the provision for a substantial contract value offers the potential for business growth and a chance to contribute to a prestigious government-led marine conservation initiative.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

CEFAS26-87 ITT for eDNA analysis of samples from Beyond the Reef survey

Notice Description

The Blue Belt Programme is the UK Government's flagship marine conservation programme, working with a number of the UK Overseas Territories to safeguard more than four million square kilometres of the World's oceans. Earlier this year, the Blue Belt Programme conducted its first offshore research expedition 'Beyond the Reef' to the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories of Anguilla, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands. As a component of the 'Beyond the Reef' survey, Cefas undertook water sampling, yielding 417 filters (348 samples, 69 field negatives). Our overall aim is to identify the composition and distribution of teleost fishes and elasmobranchs around Anguilla, and the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. We require a Supplier to process these samples using a metabarcoding workflow and provide us with the raw sequence data. As we are aiming to publish this research, we require a high level of transparency on, and input into, the laboratory procedures used. Full specification details can be found in the Bidder Pack. Services required include: - Extract DNA from the Sterivex (0.22 um; PES) filters (348 total; triplicated per sampling station/depth; 4 L filtered total) and field negatives (69; one per station) provided by Cefas. - PCR amplify a ~170 bp fragment of the 12S rRNA region, with two primer sets: one targeting teleost fishes (MiFish-U) and another targeting elasmobranchs (MiFish-E). - Pooled PCR products will then be indexed. - Sequence the library(s) on a suitable High Throughput Sequencing Platform, e.g. NextSeq 1000 P1 XLEAP-SBS, to an appropriate level of sequence depth. - Provide Cefas with demultiplexed paired-end read sequence data. Contract is expected to start 1 September 2026 with delivery completed by 1 December 2026. Some flexibility can be provided where essential, up to 1 March 2027.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b6b0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056980-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71620000 - Analysis services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£180,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£180,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
17 Jul 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
Post Town
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

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.

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