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Molecular Analysis of Water Primrose (Ludwigia)

Environment Agency

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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23 Sep 2026 at 09:05

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Environment Agency commissioned molecular and genetic analysis of water primrose (Ludwigia) populations in England. The research is intended to strengthen and refine the national eradication programme, establish baseline evidence for potential biological control, and improve understanding of the species’ biology, origins and spread pathways. Water primrose is an invasive aquatic plant that can spread rapidly, form dense mats, displace native vegetation and damage freshwater ecosystems. The findings are intended to support control measures and better biosecurity, including pathway action plans. This is a specialist scientific analysis service rather than a general environmental management contract. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs managed the procurement on the Environment Agency’s behalf.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to CAB International. The Environment Agency used a direct award without competition under a below-threshold route. The contract was signed on 31 August 2026 and runs from 31 August 2026 to 31 March 2028. Its value is £80,000 excluding VAT (£96,000 including VAT). The award covers analysis services for the single lot. The procurement description ties the work to genetic analysis of Ludwigia populations in England, supporting eradication planning and research into possible biological control. No evaluation criteria are stated in the published process information.

For suppliers of molecular biology, genetics or specialist ecological research, this award shows demand for applied analysis of invasive aquatic plants, with outputs intended to inform national eradication and biosecurity decisions. A credible competitor for a comparable requirement would need to demonstrate the scientific capability to analyse Ludwigia populations and produce evidence useful for understanding origins and spread pathways, alongside an ability to work within the needs of a national species-control programme. Experience connecting population-level genetic findings to practical management, eradication planning or research into biological control would be directly relevant. The work is a focused research service, so suppliers should be able to deliver specialist analysis rather than rely only on broad environmental consultancy or field control capacity. The selected supplier is a large organisation.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Molecular Analysis of Water Primrose (Ludwigia)

Notice Description

This project will undertake genetic analysis of Ludwigia populations in England to strengthen and refine the national eradication programme and provide baseline research towards a potential biological control. Ludwigia (water primrose) is a high-priority invasive non-native species due to its capacity to spread rapidly, form dense mats, outcompete native aquatic vegetation, and significantly alter freshwater ecosystems. These impacts are already well documented across continental Europe and elsewhere, where the species has caused ecological degradation and increased management costs. There is a legal commitment for Defra to eradicate water primrose under the EU Regulation 1143/2014, retained in UK law. Achieving this requires not only effective physical and chemical control, but also a stronger understanding of the species' biology, origin, and pathways of spread. This will allow us to recognise pathways of spread and manage these through good biosecurity and Pathway Action Plans.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-077815
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089907-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71620000 - Analysis services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£80,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
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

CAB International

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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