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Badger Hair Genotyping (APHA)

Animal and Plant Health Agency

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

28 Jul 2026 at 12:01

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

09 Jul 2026 at 15:08

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

09 Jul 2026 at 14:52

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Animal and Plant Health Agency commissioned badger hair DNA extraction and genotyping services for the National Badger Sett Survey and related wildlife samples. The work covers extracting DNA from single badger hairs and clumps of guard hairs, using PCR and SNP analysis to identify alleles, individual badgers and specific genetic markers. The panel is expected to include approximately 5,500 SNPs. Results support population modelling and epidemiological analysis. The service is classified as research laboratory services and is delivered in the United Kingdom. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs carried out the procurement on behalf of the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

The procurement is complete and was awarded by direct award to LGC Genomics Limited on 9 July 2026, under the Procurement Act 2023 provisions for technical reasons where only one supplier can provide the requirement and there are no reasonable alternatives. The contract was signed on 24 July 2026, starts on 27 July 2026 and runs to 31 March 2028, with an option to extend to 30 September 2028. Its value is £120,636 excluding VAT and £144,763.20 including VAT. There was one lot. The award rationale states that LGC Genomics was the only UK supplier able to process low-volume and poor-quality wildlife samples and provide compatible SNP genotyping data. The contract is active.

This award indicates demand for specialist wildlife genetics services combining low-volume DNA extraction, PCR amplification and high-throughput SNP genotyping. A future competitor would need laboratory capability for single-hair and small, poor-quality samples, including guard-hair clumps, and the ability to produce reliable, reproducible data compatible with established population modelling and epidemiological analysis. Relevant experience should include wildlife or similarly challenging biological samples, allele identification and large SNP panels of around 5,500 markers. Operational credibility would depend on maintaining a continuous sample-processing service, protecting samples during handling and transport, and delivering data within 40 working days of sample receipt. Quality assurance, sequencing-data accuracy and capacity to meet the specification would also be central to competing for this buyer’s requirement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Badger Hair Genotyping (APHA)

Notice Description

This Contract is formed of two sampling requirements: Requirement 1: Single Badger Hair DNA extraction for the National Badger Sett Survey (25-28) Requirement 2: DNA extraction from clumps of badger hair. Requirement 1 requires the Supplier to extract DNA from single badger hairs and amplify using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology to identify sufficient material to determine which alleles are present at each pre defined Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). The output data from this analysis will be used to determine the number of individual badgers. Requirement 2 requires the Supplier to extract DNA from clumps of Badger guard hairs (including roots); while samplers were asked to try to aim for a good number of hairs more than fifteen (number more than 15), this was not always feasible due to the nature of the work, and a minority of samples are of smaller size. The DNA should be processed to identify which specific SNP is present in the individual. The Buyer estimates that due to high rates of within-population homogeneity, and allelic drop out, the panel will need to include approximately five thousand five hundred (5,500) SNPs.

Procurement Information

This Direct Award is compliant under Schedule 5, Paragraph 6(a) and (b) of the Procurement Act 2023, which permits a direct award where: (a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods or services required; and (b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods or services. Absence of Competition for Technical Reasons: The requirement is for the extraction and genotyping of DNA from badger hair samples, including samples comprising a single hair, using a methodology capable of generating reliable and reproducible data suitable for incorporation into APHA's existing population modelling and epidemiological analysis. LGC Genomics is the only UK supplier capable of providing all elements of the requirement, particularly the need to analyse low-volume and poor-quality wildlife samples. The technical characteristics of the requirement, particularly the need to process low-volume badger hair samples and generate compatible SNP genotyping data, mean that competition is absent for genuine technical reasons. No Reasonable Alternative: The Authority has identified a material risk of delays, additional administrative burdens, customs-related issues and potential loss or destruction of samples during transit. Given the specialist nature of the samples and the programme's dependency on a continuous and reliable flow of data, overseas providers do not represent a reasonable alternative.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c7ae
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071159-2026
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
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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
£120,636 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£120,636 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Jul 20262 months ago
Contract Period
27 Jul 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Animal and Plant Health Agency
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
Postcode Area
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LGC Genomics Ltd

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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