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Opportunity Mapping for Open Mosaic Habitat at the Tees Estuary

Natural England

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

30 Oct 2026 at 13:02

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Natural England is commissioning environmental research consultancy to map Open Mosaic Habitat (OMH) across the Tees Estuary. OMH is a high-distinctiveness priority habitat that is difficult to recreate or replace, and development affecting it can require mitigation. The work is intended to improve understanding of habitat types and extent, find areas not currently mapped, and assess changes over time. It also includes collating species records, identifying important species and characteristic habitat communities, and pinpointing ways to maintain and enhance the habitat, with a prioritised list of actions. The delivery area is the Tees Estuary, England. The requirement is a single research project rather than a purchase of physical goods or construction works.

Natural England invited offers through a below-threshold open competition. The tender deadline set for quotations was 12 noon on 23 November 2026, and clarification questions were due by 12 noon on 11 November 2026. The contract period is 7 December 2026 to 31 March 2027. The estimated value is £20,330 excluding VAT (£25,000 including VAT). The procurement is arranged as one lot. The award criteria are described as being in the Request for Quotation, which suppliers are asked to meet in their quotation. Responses are to be submitted by email. The tender is recorded as active; this describes its procurement status rather than a confirmed award.

This opportunity is suited to environmental research and ecological consultancy businesses with the capability to survey and map habitat across a defined estuary area, analyse changes in habitat extent, and identify unmapped areas. Relevant expertise includes Open Mosaic Habitat ecology, habitat classification, species-record collation and interpretation, and recognising characteristic ecological communities. Suppliers should be able to assess practical opportunities to maintain or enhance habitat and turn findings into a clear, prioritised programme of actions. The tender identifies small and medium-sized enterprises as suitable. The work is a focused, short-term research commission, so it is likely to suit a specialist team able to deliver mapping, ecological analysis and actionable recommendations within a single project. The detailed evaluation basis is set out in the RFQ.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Opportunity Mapping for Open Mosaic Habitat at the Tees Estuary

Notice Description

Open Mosaic Habitat (OMH) is recognised as a high distinctiveness Priority Habitat; which is very difficult to recreate or replace if destroyed. Under S41 NERC Act OMH is protected and Local Planning Authorities require rigorous mitigation if impacted via development. The demand for OMH mitigation opportunities is also intrinsically linked to the planning process and decision-making. This research project will map OMH resource across the Tees Estuary to develop an understanding of the types of OMH across the area, identify areas of OMH not currently mapped and identify whether there have been changes in OMH resource over time. The research project will also collate species records to identify important species using the OMH resource and determine whether there are any characteristic OMH communities. Finally, this work will identify opportunities to maintain and enhance the OMG resource and produce a prioritised list of actions.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0794a1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/103201-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,330 Under £100K
Lots Value
£20,330 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Oct 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
23 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Dec 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
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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