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ES RDE 054 - Microplastics as radionuclide transport vectors in the UK aqueous

Environment Agency

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

24 Jul 2026 at 15:58

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Environment Agency commissioned research and development services to investigate whether microplastics can transport radionuclides in UK aqueous environments. The project focuses on a reasonable worst-case scenario involving maximum radionuclide accumulation on microplastics in natural UK waters. The work is a scientific research project, covering the effectiveness of microplastics as radionuclide transport vectors rather than general microplastics monitoring or remediation. The Environment Agency is the public-sector buyer. The awarded supplier is the University of Plymouth, which is based in Devon. The procurement covers UK aqueous environments, so relevant expertise may include freshwater, marine or other natural-water settings in the United Kingdom, together with radionuclide and microplastics research.

The procurement is complete and was awarded on 24 July 2026 to the University of Plymouth. It used a non-competitive direct award under a framework, described as a below-threshold award under framework arrangements, with one completed lot. The contract was signed on 24 July 2026 and runs from 27 July 2026 to 19 March 2027. Its value is £114,669 including VAT, and the contract is below the applicable threshold. The award is for research and development services and related consultancy services. The evaluation route was selective and the framework award was not competitive. The contract is active, with the Environment Agency as buyer and the University of Plymouth as the selected supplier.

This procurement shows demand from the Environment Agency for applied environmental research combining microplastics, radionuclide transport and natural-water science. A credible future competitor would need evidence of research capability in radionuclide behaviour, contaminant transport and microplastics, supported by access to suitable laboratory facilities and expertise in UK freshwater or marine environments. The requirement also calls for the ability to model or investigate a reasonable worst-case accumulation scenario and translate scientific findings into advice relevant to environmental regulation. Organisations with established academic, scientific or specialist consultancy partnerships may be well placed, particularly where they can provide robust experimental methods, analytical data and research governance. Experience delivering focused public-sector research commissions and working within framework arrangements would also strengthen a competitor’s position.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

ES RDE 054 - Microplastics as radionuclide transport vectors in the UK aqueous

Notice Description

Environment Agency self-service direct award. The primary aim of this project is to investigate the effectiveness of microplastics as transport vectors for radionuclides in UK aqueous environments. This work will focus on a reasonable worst-case scenario in terms of maximum radionuclide accumulation onto microplastics in UK natural waters.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d39a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070444-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - award under framework
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£114,669 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
27 Jul 2026 - 19 Mar 2027 6-12 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
Environment 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

University of Plymouth

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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