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Specialist Analytical Services for Natural Resources Wales

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Jul 2026 at 14:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process initiated by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) involves a planned contract titled "Specialist Analytical Services for Natural Resources Wales" focusing on the services sector, specifically Laboratory services. The process, in its planning stage, aims to outsource specialist analytical services that support NRW’s statutory monitoring programmes for Freshwater, Marine, Biota, and Sediment due to complex methods and instrumentation constraints. Located in Cardiff, Wales, the buying authority is a public authority operating under Welsh devolved regulations. The pre-market engagement phase invites suppliers to submit a Pre Market Engagement Questionnaire by 7th August 2026, with important deadlines leading to the planned contract period starting from the 1st of January 2027 to the 31st of December 2031.

This tender offers business growth opportunities for companies specialising in analytical laboratory services, especially those capable of handling complex analytical methodologies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate, reflecting the tender's suitability for diverse business types. By engaging in the pre-market consultation, businesses can help shape the approach to this significant contract, which has a gross value of £720,000, encouraging participation and awareness of future procurement opportunities set to be highlighted in a future notice on 19th October 2026.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Specialist Analytical Services for Natural Resources Wales

Notice Description

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) intends to establish a contract for the provision of Specialist Analytical Services. The purpose of the requirement is to outsource specialist analytical services supporting NRW's statutory Freshwater, Marine, Biota, Sediment, and regulatory monitoring programmes. These analyses cannot be delivered in house at NRW Analytical Services (NRWAS) due to method complexity, specialist instrumentation, and capacity constraints. The new contract will align with the updated six year Monitoring Strategy and Planning (MSP) cycle, ensuring continuity of data collection and consistency in analytical methodologies across the full programme period. This notice is a Preliminary Market Engagement Notice. The purpose of the pre market engagement questionnaire is to gather market insight, help shape our approach and ensure that suppliers are aware of the upcoming opportunity. NRW has issued a pre market engagement questionnaire to support this engagement. Participation is optional and does not form part of any formal evaluation, nor will it affect a supplier's ability to participate in the future procurement. Instructions on how to access the pre market engagement questionnaire can be found in the engagement section of this notice.

Planning Information

Suppliers are invited to complete a Pre Market Engagement Questionnaire for Specialist Analytical Services. The purpose of the engagement is to gather market insight to help shape our approach and ensure that suppliers are aware of the upcoming opportunity. Participation is optional and does not form part of any formal evaluation, nor will it affect a supplier's ability to participate in the future procurement. To access the Pre Market Engagement Questionnaire: 1) Register or log into the e TenderWales portal: https://etenderwales.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.shtml?_ncp=1784640423438.572434-1 2) Once logged in follow the link below to express an interest to access the questionnaire directly: https://etenderwales.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/go/03140007019F84DD9E0F If you encounter issues accessing the system please contact the Bravo helpdesk at help@bravosolution.co.uk, or contact the Procurement Lead sarah.ryan@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk Suppliers are encouraged to review the document and submit responses to the PME Questionnaire by 7th August 2026 - 10:00 hrs

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d016
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068797-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£600,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Jul 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
19 Oct 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATURAL RESOURCES WALES
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF10 3NQ
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
TLL Wales
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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