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National Assessment of Rare Notchworts

Natural England

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

03 Aug 2026 at 08:46

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Natural England is commissioning specialist ecological research and survey services to assess two rare notchwort species: Gillmans notchwort, formerly known as Norfolk flapwort, and fen notchwort. The work will review their current status and historic distribution, including examination of herbarium specimens, to resolve taxonomic changes and reassess earlier records. The requirement covers the United Kingdom, including historical records associated with Norfolk and Cumbria. It is a services opportunity for organisations with expertise in bryophyte or botanical research, species identification, conservation assessment, ecological surveying and the interpretation of herbarium collections. The work is intended to provide a robust evidence base for understanding the present and historical status of these species and correcting confusion in their classification and distribution.

The buyer has reached the tender stage and invited quotations through a below-threshold open competition. Suppliers must submit a quotation meeting the Request for Quotation requirements by 17:00 on 21 August 2026; clarification questions are handled by email, and the response must be submitted electronically by email rather than through an electronic tendering system. The single contract is expected to run from 10 September 2026 to 30 June 2028. Its estimated value is £26,500 excluding VAT, or £31,800 including VAT. The opportunity uses one lot. The award basis is set out in the Request for Quotation, alongside the detailed requirements, order form and commercial response documents.

This opportunity suits a specialist consultancy, research organisation, university team, herbarium service or ecological contractor able to combine taxonomic expertise with practical conservation research. Strong candidates will be able to identify and distinguish closely related notchwort species, evaluate current and historic distribution evidence, review herbarium specimens and interpret changes in scientific classification. The requirement also favours suppliers with experience of rare plant or bryophyte surveys, conservation status assessments, literature and specimen research, and producing clear evidence-based reports for a public environmental authority. Delivery will require sufficient specialist capacity over the contract period to investigate records across the United Kingdom, assess historical material carefully and present defensible conclusions on the status of both species.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

National Assessment of Rare Notchworts

Notice Description

Over the years, there has been much taxonomic confusion and changes surrounding the Norfolk Flapwort. This species was previously classified as Leiocolea rutheana var. laxa, and thought to be entirely restricted to Scarning fen in Norfolk, with Leiocolea rutheana var. rutheana restricted to Cumbria, but historically found in Norfolk too. Current taxonomy identifies the Norfolk flapwort as Gillmans notchwort (Mesoptychia gillmanii var. laxa) and Leiocolea rutheana as the fen notchwort (Mesoptychia rutheana). There is currently a need to review and reassess the status of both of these species both today and looking back at their historic status through review of herbarium specimens.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d97f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072978-2026
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

79311000 - Survey services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£26,500 Under £100K
Lots Value
£26,500 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
21 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
10 Sep 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Natural England
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

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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