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Supply of Colormetric Analysers to the Environment Agency

Environment Agency

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

29 Jul 2026 at 15:54

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Environment Agency is exploring the supply of automated laboratory colorimetric analysers for environmental monitoring and accredited analytical testing across the United Kingdom. The equipment would analyse nutrients including ammonia, nitrite, orthophosphate, silicate and total oxidised nitrogen, together with total and free cyanide and dissolved organic carbon. It must handle fresh water, saline water, effluent, leachate and other aqueous samples. The requirement includes associated software and data management, installation, commissioning, user training, warranty and technical support. Suppliers may offer individual analysers or a single integrated solution covering all three analytical areas. DEFRA is carrying out the procurement on behalf of the Environment Agency. This is primarily a laboratory equipment and support requirement, classified as analysers (CPV 38434000).

This procurement is at the planning stage and is not an invitation to tender. The Environment Agency expects to use preliminary market engagement to shape a potential future procurement. Interested organisations are expected to register their interest by 13 August 2026 and complete an online questionnaire; the buyer expects a subsequent notice around 30 September 2026. Any resulting contract is currently planned to run from 16 December 2026 to 15 February 2031. The estimated value is £480,000 excluding VAT, or £576,000 including VAT. The buyer estimates that up to eight systems may be required over the contract term. The requirement is presented as one lot and is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This will suit manufacturers, specialist laboratory-equipment suppliers and systems integrators able to provide automated colorimetric analysis for environmental samples. Relevant capability includes nutrient, cyanide and dissolved organic carbon testing, either through separate analysers or one integrated platform. Suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate unattended batch processing, automated dilution, integrated data handling and reliable operation across varied aqueous matrices. Analytical performance will be important, including limits of detection, precision, bias and quality assurance suitable for UKAS-accredited laboratory operations. The work also favours suppliers with the capacity to install and commission equipment, train users, provide software and data support, honour warranty obligations and deliver ongoing technical support. Market engagement is intended to help the buyer understand available solutions before any competition.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply of Colormetric Analysers to the Environment Agency

Notice Description

The Environment Agency (EA) (the 'Authority') is an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by DEFRA. The Authority is seeking information on the provision of automated laboratory colorimetric analysers capable of supporting environmental monitoring and accredited analytical testing. The technical requirement includes: - Automated analysis of nutrients, including ammonia, nitrite, orthophosphate, silicate and total oxidised nitrogen (TON). - Automated analysis of total and free cyanide in environmental samples. - Automated analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). - Operation with a range of environmental sample types, including fresh waters, saline waters, effluents, leachates and other aqueous matrices. - High levels of automation, including unattended batch processing, automated dilution capability and integrated data handling software. - Compliance with defined analytical performance criteria, including limits of detection, precision, bias and quality assurance requirements to support UKAS-accredited laboratory operations. - Provision of associated software, data management, installation, commissioning, user training, warranty and technical support. - Capability to deliver either individual analyser solutions or a single integrated solution covering nutrients, cyanide and DOC analysis. The Authority is seeking information from the market to determine whether a supplier can provide a single solution for Nutrients, Cyanide (total and free), and Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) analysis. The volume of analysers required has not yet been finalised; however, the Authority estimates that up to eight (8) systems may be required over the term of any future contract. Please note: This notice is not a call for competition or a procurement exercise. It is issued solely for the purpose of preliminary market engagement and market research to help the Authority better understand the capabilities of the market.

Planning Information

Invitation to Participate in Preliminary Market Engagement: The Environment Agency is seeking input from suppliers to help inform the development of a potential future procurement. Organisations wishing to participate should register their interest by contacting lucy.webster@defra.gov.uk Interested suppliers will then be provided with a link to an online questionnaire hosted via Microsoft Forms. Responses will be used solely for market engagement purposes and to help shape the Authority's understanding of the market and available solutions. Participation in this engagement exercise will not confer any advantage in any subsequent procurement process, should one be undertaken.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d6d3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071840-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38434000 - Analysers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£480,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
16 Dec 2026 - 15 Feb 2031 4-5 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
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

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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