Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Biological control of invasive plants 2026/27

Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

28 Aug 2026 at 12:06

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Welsh Government procured services to develop and apply biological controls for invasive non-native plants, specifically Himalayan balsam and Australian swamp stonecrop. The work addresses biodiversity loss, water deoxygenation and damage to invertebrate, amphibian and fish populations where conventional control methods are ineffective or herbicide use is unsuitable near waterbodies and protected nature conservation sites. It includes field-based and laboratory experiments, pilot and testing projects, and the release of relevant biological control agents, namely mites and rust fungus. The requirement is delivered in Wales. The Welsh Government is the buying organisation, and the service falls within research services. The purpose is to establish effective biological control methods that can reduce future environmental impacts and control costs.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded directly without competition as a below-threshold requirement. CABI Europe – UK was selected as the supplier, and the contract was signed on 28 August 2026. The awarded contract value is £70,000 gross. The contract runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 July 2027. There was one lot, covering the full requirement. The award concerns research services for biological control of Himalayan balsam and Australian swamp stonecrop, including field and laboratory work, pilot activity, testing and release of biological control agents. The procurement was evaluated through a direct award route rather than an open or competitive tender. The recorded award is active and the contract is active.

This requirement is relevant to organisations with specialist capability in invasive plant management, ecological research and biological control. Credible suppliers would need to design and carry out both field and laboratory experiments, run pilots and testing projects, and assess the effectiveness and practical risks of releasing biological control agents. Relevant expertise includes work with Himalayan balsam and Australian swamp stonecrop, mites, rust fungus, freshwater or terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity protection and nature conservation sites. Suppliers should be able to produce robust scientific evidence and translate experimental findings into practical control methods suitable for locations where herbicides are inappropriate, particularly near waterbodies. The award demonstrates Welsh Government demand for applied environmental research combining scientific investigation with implementation planning.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Biological control of invasive plants 2026/27

Notice Description

Invasive non-native plant species like Himalayan balsam (HB) and Australian swamp stonecrop (ASS) significantly reduce biodiversity by crowding out native vegetation and limiting plant and animal species diversity. ASS deoxygenates water and reduces numbers of small invertebrates, amphibians and fish. Traditional methods for the control of HB and ASS are generally ineffective. Chemical control with herbicides is the most effective but often inappropriate next to or in waterbodies or protected nature conservation sites. The contract includes field and lab based experiments and release of relevant biological control agents (mites and rust fungus) to manage these two plant species. Pilots and testing projects are an important part of understanding the benefits and effectiveness of biological controls and the problems these species cause. This investment now in biological control methods and their effective implementation have the potential to provide considerable benefits in terms of reduced costs and impacts as described above in future years.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ee74
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082135-2026
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
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£70,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Jul 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
Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
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
Postcode Area
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CABI Europe – UK

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.

Loading OCDS record...