--- title: "A framework for assessing confidence in metabarcoding assays and results" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-0622f621-c807-44fe-9ce8-8a4fcb8c2a97" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-0622f621-c807-44fe-9ce8-8a4fcb8c2a97" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0622f621-c807-44fe-9ce8-8a4fcb8c2a97.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0622f621-c807-44fe-9ce8-8a4fcb8c2a97.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "NATURAL ENGLAND" published: "2024-11-21" --- # A framework for assessing confidence in metabarcoding assays and results Buyer: NATURAL ENGLAND Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-b5fd17-0622f621-c807-44fe-9ce8-8a4fcb8c2a97 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-0622f621-c807-44fe-9ce8-8a4fcb8c2a97) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0622f621-c807-44fe-9ce8-8a4fcb8c2a97.json) ## Summary This procurement process was managed by Natural England, located in Crewe Business Park, Crewe. The tender titled "A framework for assessing confidence in metabarcoding assays and results" falls under the industry category of Research services (CPV ID: 73110000). The project addresses the need for DNA-based methods to monitor and assess ecosystems, specifically through the development of an eDNA metabarcoding assay validation framework. The procurement was conducted using an open procedure (below threshold) and has reached the award stage, with key dates including the tender publishing date of 20th August 2024, tender period ending on 18th September 2024, and contract period from 2nd October 2024 to 28th February 2025. The awarded contract value is £32,837, and it was awarded to JAMES HUTTON LIMITED on 3rd October 2024. This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in DNA-based ecosystem monitoring and research services. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to compete, as the procurement process is open and designed to be accessible. Organisations with expertise in environmental DNA, metabarcoding assays, and ecological community detection can leverage this contract to expand their research portfolio and contribute to innovative ecosystem monitoring methods. By enhancing assay performance and validation, businesses can play a critical role in developing reliable environmental assessment tools, potentially unlocking further opportunities for collaboration and funding in the environmental research sector. ## Notice PLEASE NOTE: The closing date for this notice has been extended to 18/09/2024. DNA-based methods have the potential to significantly change how we monitor and assess ecosystems. These methods are now being used more widely within Natural England, particularly the detection of ecological communities using environmental DNA (eDNA). This is often conducted by employing metabarcoding assays which target specific species assemblages (e.g. fish, mammals) or broader taxonomic groups (e.g. vertebrates, invertebrates, bacteria). It is difficult for Natural England staff to understand, interpret, and determine confidence in the results of different metabarcoding assays or assess the risk of false positive or false negative results. This project aims to address some of these challenges through the development of an eDNA metabarcoding assay validation framework. This will include: establishing key criteria to enable the classification of metabarcoding assays based on their taxonomic coverage, taxonomic resolution and detection sensitivity for different groups; and assessing the suitability of metabarcoding assays for different sample types and environments. This will enable end-users to determine the recommended scenarios for application of a given assay and improve assay performance with further validation. Additional information: To apply for this opportunity you must submit your quotation meeting the requirements detailed in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) attached. Your response must be sent to monitoring.innovation@naturalengland.org.uk by 17:00 on 18th September 2024. If you have any clarification questions linked to this opportunity or the procurement process please submit these via email to monitoring.innovation@naturalengland.org.uk. Please note that, unless commercially sensitive, both the question and the response will be circulated to all tenderers. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/feaade31-a9d7-4199-9f6b-9ece393329c8 | | Notice type | Award Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 21 Nov 2024 | | Submission deadline | 18 Sep 2024 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 2 Oct 2024 | | Contract period | 6 Oct 2024 - 28 Feb 2025 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £33,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £32,837 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NATURAL ENGLAND | | Locality | CREWE | | Post town | Crewe | | Postcode | CW1 6GJ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD6 Cheshire | | ITL 3 | TLD62 Cheshire East | | Local authority | Cheshire East | | Electoral ward | Crewe East | | Westminster constituency | Crewe and Nantwich | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | JAMES HUTTON | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73110000 - Research services ## Release History - 21 Nov 2024 at 09:49 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/feaade31-a9d7-4199-9f6b-9ece393329c8 - 11 Sep 2024 at 12:30 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9017d845-c288-4472-a81c-be3fd09db2ed - 10 Sep 2024 at 12:08 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9017d845-c288-4472-a81c-be3fd09db2ed - 30 Aug 2024 at 13:28 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9017d845-c288-4472-a81c-be3fd09db2ed - 30 Aug 2024 at 07:34 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9017d845-c288-4472-a81c-be3fd09db2ed - 29 Aug 2024 at 14:20 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9017d845-c288-4472-a81c-be3fd09db2ed - 28 Aug 2024 at 10:31 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9017d845-c288-4472-a81c-be3fd09db2ed - 21 Aug 2024 at 13:53 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9017d845-c288-4472-a81c-be3fd09db2ed - 20 Aug 2024 at 13:42 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9017d845-c288-4472-a81c-be3fd09db2ed - 20 Aug 2024 at 12:11 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9017d845-c288-4472-a81c-be3fd09db2ed ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/feaade31-a9d7-4199-9f6b-9ece393329c8 21st November 2024 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9017d845-c288-4472-a81c-be3fd09db2ed 11th September 2024 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/0a370898-9faf-4b75-9cf3-8b3d6d4ca572 RFQ - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/5e05b907-e463-4b29-b86d-9796e265d568 - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/02672f30-e55b-4df8-85c0-c6719f79efbc - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/cb01d492-e6ae-4386-a2d0-46ea059d60ed RFQ - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/6af59c29-8a6b-43c0-9045-f639e3a1acd9 - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/e17f61c2-92b4-4c6e-9808-37b7fd89e503 - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/7ae129b3-c893-4a71-b78e-a0c1d53aed86 - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/e6c95964-69e1-4a4e-bbed-6ac462a98334 - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/508a4f92-8eb4-4997-9071-9a2cc51286b1 - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/ef35e84b-9b0a-4be3-848d-843d9bf7c14e - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/ee591460-0bc8-4d27-ab49-1a9ef6e94cea RFQ - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/SupplierAttachment/930be6da-4771-464a-aad3-cafab665305a ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-0622f621-c807-44fe-9ce8-8a4fcb8c2a97. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-0622f621-c807-44fe-9ce8-8a4fcb8c2a97.json.