Award

Specialist Analytical Service for NRW

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

18 Dec 2025 at 00:00

AwardUpdate

18 Dec 2024 at 00:00

AwardUpdate

22 Dec 2023 at 00:00

AwardUpdate

06 Mar 2023 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is leading a procurement process for the "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW," primarily concerning environmental analysis services under the CPV classification code 71900000. This contract involves collecting environmental samples such as freshwater, treated sewage, and sediment from specified locations, specifically at NRW Analytical Services, Faraday Building, Swansea University, Swansea, UKL region. The contract commenced on 13th September 2021 and is slated to end on 31st December 2026 following a recent extension, with an initial signing date of 7th September 2021. The procurement process, initially open, has evolved into the award and contract update stages as of December 2025, marked by necessary service amendments and adaptations to unforeseen circumstances under public procurement regulation guidelines.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the environmental services sector, particularly those specialising in analytical services or logistics, such as refrigerated courier operations. Companies like RPS Environmental Management Limited, the current supplier, illustrate the scale and capability required to meet NRW’s specifications effectively. Given the continual modification of contract terms, including rate adjustments and service extensions, businesses adept at navigating dynamic project demands and possessing technical analytical capabilities stand to gain. Additionally, the potential for further technological innovation integration in data capture and courier logistics presents another avenue for business growth and development through strategic partnership with NRW.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Specialist Analytical Service for NRW

Notice Description

Lot Information

Lot 1

NRWAS manage an outsourced analysis contract for the wider business, delivering samples from our laboratory to a third-party laboratory for analysis. The reasons for outsourcing are generally when specialised methods are yet to be developed by NRW or where setting up in-house capability is uneconomical due to low sample numbers. The samples are collected from a range of matrices; including freshwater, trade, treated sewage, saline, biota and sediment. Reporting limits are often required in low, or very low ranges. This Invitation to Tender is for a contract to provide NRW with water quality and environmental analysis and for providing results in a suitable format. The contract also includes the provision of a refrigerated courier service to collect samples from an agreed location.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-kuma6s-110554
Publication Source
Sell2Wales
Latest Notice
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=110554
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F20 - Modification Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£4,203,196 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Sep 20214 years ago
Contract Period
13 Sep 2021 - 31 Dec 2026 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATURAL RESOURCES WALES
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
CF24 0TP
Post Town
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
TLL Wales, TLL18 Swansea

Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

RPS ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-2025-12-18T00:00:00Z",
    "date": "2025-12-18T00:00:00Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-kuma6s-110554",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "org-41",
            "name": "Natural Resources Wales",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Natural Resources Wales"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Ty Cambria House, 29 Newport Road",
                "locality": "Cardiff",
                "region": "UKL",
                "postalCode": "CF24 0TP"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Peter Lees",
                "email": "procurement.ops@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk",
                "telephone": "+44 3000654619"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer",
                "reviewBody"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-71",
            "name": "RPS Environmental Management Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "RPS Environmental Management Limited"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "13 St Martins Way, Bedford",
                "locality": "Bedfordshire",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "MK420LF"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 1623663372"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-15",
            "name": "High Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "High Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "WC2A 2LL"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 2079477501"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "org-1",
            "name": "Natural Resources Wales",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Natural Resources Wales"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Welsh Government Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cathays Park",
                "locality": "Cardiff",
                "region": "UKL",
                "postalCode": "CF10 3NQ"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "cmss@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk",
                "telephone": "+44 300065450",
                "name": "Rebecca White"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-2",
            "name": "RPS Environmental Management Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "RPS Environmental Management Limited"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "13 St Martins Way, Bedford",
                "locality": "Bedfordshire",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "MK420LF"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 1623663372"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-3",
            "name": "High Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "High Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "WC2A 2LL"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 2079477501"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "org-33",
            "name": "RPS Environmental Management Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "RPS Environmental Management Limited"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "13 St Martins Way, Bedford",
                "locality": "Bedfordshire",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "MK420LF"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 1623663372"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-12",
            "name": "Natural Resources Wales",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Natural Resources Wales"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Welsh Government Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cathays Park",
                "locality": "Cardiff",
                "postalCode": "CF10 3NQ",
                "region": "UKL"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 3000653000",
                "email": "cmss@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-13",
            "name": "RPS Environmental Management Limited",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "RPS Environmental Management Limited"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "13 St Martins Way, Bedford",
                "locality": "Bedfordshire",
                "region": "UK",
                "postalCode": "MK420LF"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 1623663372"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "large"
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "org-5",
            "name": "High Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "High Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "WC2A 2LL"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "telephone": "+44 2079477501"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "name": "Natural Resources Wales",
        "id": "org-12"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-tender-159577-86123",
        "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "classification": {
                    "id": "71900000",
                    "scheme": "CPV"
                },
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "71900000",
                        "scheme": "CPV"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryLocation": {
                    "description": "NRW Analytical Services, Faraday Building (2nd Floor), Singleton Park Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP. Collection points for samples to be agreed during implementation."
                },
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKL"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKL"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKL"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKL18"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKL"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKL18"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "MAR429909",
                "documentType": "awardNotice",
                "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
                "url": "https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR429909",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "DEC461654",
                "documentType": "awardNotice",
                "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
                "url": "https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC461654",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "DEC496235",
                "documentType": "awardNotice",
                "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
                "url": "https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC496235",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "DEC572234",
                "documentType": "awardNotice",
                "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
                "url": "https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC572234",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "NRWAS manage an outsourced analysis contract for the wider business, delivering samples from our laboratory to a third-party laboratory for analysis. The reasons for outsourcing are generally when specialised methods are yet to be developed by NRW or where setting up in-house capability is uneconomical due to low sample numbers. The samples are collected from a range of matrices; including freshwater, trade, treated sewage, saline, biota and sediment. Reporting limits are often required in low, or very low ranges. This Invitation to Tender is for a contract to provide NRW with water quality and environmental analysis and for providing results in a suitable format. The contract also includes the provision of a refrigerated courier service to collect samples from an agreed location.",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2021-09-13T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2024-12-31T00:00:00Z"
                }
            }
        ],
        "classification": {
            "id": "71900000",
            "scheme": "CPV"
        },
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        }
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-129651-17",
            "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "org-71",
                    "name": "RPS Environmental Management Limited"
                }
            ],
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-137593-1",
            "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "org-2",
                    "name": "RPS Environmental Management Limited"
                }
            ],
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-146873-3",
            "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "org-33",
                    "name": "RPS Environmental Management Limited"
                }
            ],
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-159577-10",
            "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "org-13",
                    "name": "RPS Environmental Management Limited"
                }
            ],
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-129651-17",
            "awardID": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-129651-17",
            "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2021-09-13T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2023-12-31T00:00:00Z"
            },
            "value": {
                "amount": 890515,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "classification": {
                        "id": "71900000",
                        "scheme": "CPV"
                    },
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "id": "71900000",
                            "scheme": "CPV"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryLocation": {
                        "description": "NRW Analytical Services, Faraday Building (2nd Floor), Singleton Park Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP. Collection points for samples to be agreed during implementation."
                    },
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKL"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "dateSigned": "2021-09-07T00:00:00Z",
            "amendments": [
                {
                    "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-amendment-129651-17",
                    "description": "Implementation of 12-month extension option to 31/12/2023. Rates to increase by 15%, except for courier rates that will increase by 10%. The revised rates will be applied from 1st March 2023 and will remain fixed until 31st December 2023, and is inclusive of the biota samples sent to RPS in February 2023. The modification relates to regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 clause 72(1)(a).",
                    "rationale": "Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The extension option and annual rate increase was included in the original contract."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-137593-1",
            "awardID": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-137593-1",
            "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2021-09-13T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2024-12-31T00:00:00Z"
            },
            "value": {
                "amount": 800000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "classification": {
                        "id": "71900000",
                        "scheme": "CPV"
                    },
                    "deliveryLocation": {
                        "description": "NRW Analytical Services, Faraday Building (2nd Floor), Singleton Park Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP. Collection points for samples to be agreed during implementation."
                    },
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKL"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "dateSigned": "2021-09-07T00:00:00Z",
            "amendments": [
                {
                    "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-amendment-137593-1",
                    "description": "Extension of 12 months to 31/12/2024. 12% rate increase on all tests with exceptions detailed below: - Cyanide water 95% increase - Dioxin biota 25% increase - PCB biota 70% increase - PCDF biota 25% increase 22% rate increase for courier costs.",
                    "rationale": "Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: The variation relates to Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 PCR 2015 clause 1(a). Extension option and annual rate uplift allowed for within the original contract."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-146873-3",
            "awardID": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-146873-3",
            "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2021-09-13T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2025-12-31T00:00:00Z"
            },
            "value": {
                "amount": 1056467.88,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "classification": {
                        "id": "71900000",
                        "scheme": "CPV"
                    },
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "id": "71900000",
                            "scheme": "CPV"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryLocation": {
                        "description": "NRW Analytical Services, Faraday Building (2nd Floor), Singleton Park Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP. Collection points for samples to be agreed during implementation."
                    },
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKL"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKL18"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "dateSigned": "2021-09-07T00:00:00Z",
            "amendments": [
                {
                    "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-amendment-146873-3",
                    "description": "Implementation of 12-month extension option to 31/12/2025. Rates to increase by 7%. The modification relates to regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 clause 72(1)(b).",
                    "rationale": "Need for additional works, services or supplies by the original contractor/concessionaire: This modification for additional services from RPS has become necessary whilst the CI Project is completed. A change of contractor cannot be made for technical reasons, as only RPS can meet all of our analysis requirements and changing suppliers would cause significant inconvenience and duplication of costs for NRW, as it took the first 12 months of the contract to fully mobilise this contract. The value of the modification does not exceed 50% of the original approved contract value."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-159577-10",
            "awardID": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-award-159577-10",
            "title": "Specialist Analytical Service for NRW",
            "status": "active",
            "period": {
                "startDate": "2021-09-13T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2026-12-31T00:00:00Z"
            },
            "value": {
                "amount": 1456214.88,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "classification": {
                        "id": "71900000",
                        "scheme": "CPV"
                    },
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "id": "71900000",
                            "scheme": "CPV"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryLocation": {
                        "description": "NRW Analytical Services, Faraday Building (2nd Floor), Singleton Park Campus, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP. Collection points for samples to be agreed during implementation."
                    },
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "UKL"
                        },
                        {
                            "region": "UKL18"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "dateSigned": "2021-09-07T00:00:00Z",
            "amendments": [
                {
                    "id": "ocds-kuma6s-110554-amendment-159577-10",
                    "description": "Implementation of 12-month extension option to 31/12/2026. Rates to increase by 6%. The modification relates to regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 clause 72(1)(c). Maximum variation value is 399747 GBP. This includes 151727 GBP contingency estimates for emergency use only for if additional analysis is required during the HVAC improvement works at NRWAS in early 2026.",
                    "rationale": "Need for modification brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority/entity could not foresee: 1. Case for Change 2. Direct Data Capture System delayed Roll-out 3. Lack of confirmed monitoring plans for 2026/7-2031 4. Ongoing HVAC issues 5. Changing analytical requirements mid-year 6. Courier supplier performance issues The LIMS Admin team, already under significant pressure and reduced capacity, would be responsible for implementing a new contract, a process that previously took 7 months. Delays to the rollout of the Direct Data Capture system and the inability to automate 3rd party data uploads have further limited resource. The complexity of launching an internal waste analysis service and the need for full Chain of Custody arrangements also require stability and time to become fully embedded. Attempting to procure a new supplier now, in the absence of confirmed long-term monitoring plans, would carry considerable risk. It may also result in a poorly defined specification, reduced supplier interest, and implementation difficulties."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "language": "EN",
    "relatedProcesses": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "relationship": [
                "planning"
            ],
            "scheme": "EU-OJ",
            "identifier": "2021/S 000-022961"
        }
    ],
    "description": "INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST / COMPLETING THE ITT i) Suppliers should register on the eTendering portal https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk ii) Once registered, suppliers must express their interest as follows a) login to the eTendering portal b) select ITT' c) select 'ITTs Open To All Suppliers' d) access the listing relating to the contract (itt_86123 \"Specialist Analytical Services for NRW\") and view details e) click on 'Express Interest' button in the 'Actions' box on the left-hand side of the page iii) Once you have expressed interest, the ITT will move to 'My ITTs', where you can download and view documents and where you can construct your reply as instructed. You must then publish your reply using the publish button. iv) For any support in submitting your expression of interest, please contact the eTendering helpdesk on 0800 0112470 or at help@bravosolution.co.uk. (WA Ref:159577)",
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.sell2wales.gov.wales/v1?lang=cy/Notice?id=ocds-kuma6s-110554"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.sell2wales.gov.wales/v1?lang=cy/Notice?id=ocds-kuma6s-110554"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.sell2wales.gov.wales/v1?lang=cy/Notice?id=ocds-kuma6s-110554"
        },
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.sell2wales.gov.wales/v1?lang=cy/Notice?id=ocds-kuma6s-110554"
        }
    ],
    "noticetype": "OJEU - F20 - Modification Notice"
}