---
title: "RDE628 Analysis of agri-environment pond eDNA samples for pond metric developme"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-236a5633-a025-4c39-be43-a77876988638"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-236a5633-a025-4c39-be43-a77876988638"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-236a5633-a025-4c39-be43-a77876988638.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-236a5633-a025-4c39-be43-a77876988638.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATURAL ENGLAND"
published: "2024-09-16"
---

# RDE628 Analysis of agri-environment pond eDNA samples for pond metric developme

Buyer: NATURAL ENGLAND  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-236a5633-a025-4c39-be43-a77876988638

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## Summary

Natural England has awarded a contract to the University of Exeter for the project titled "RDE628 Analysis of Agri-environment Pond eDNA Samples for Pond Metric Development". Falling under the industry category of Research and Development Consultancy Services (CPV 73200000), this project is located in various regions, including the British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, Europe, Isle of Man, the Rest of the World, and the United Kingdom. The procurement stage is complete, and the method employed was a selective call-off from a framework agreement. The contract, valued at GBP 26,543.59, spans from 7th October 2024 to 7th February 2025. Natural England, based in London, led the procurement process and coordinated with partners such as the Environment Agency and the Freshwater Habitats Trust to utilise DNA data for environmental assessments.

This tender creates abundant opportunities for businesses specialising in environmental consultancy, DNA analysis, and ecological monitoring. SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly well-suited to benefit from this contract, given its focus on analytical services and environmental impact assessments. Participating in projects like this can provide businesses with substantial growth prospects through partnership with a major public sector organisation and involvement in long-term environmental monitoring initiatives. The collaboration with recognised institutions underscores the tender's potential for fostering industry innovation and contributing valuable expertise to national environmental management strategies.

## Notice

Natural England's AES Evidence Programme has commissioned a survey of over 100 ponds, including 40 buffered and 40 unbuffered ponds covering both arable and improved grassland systems. All ponds are not actively managed to assess whether management of the surrounding land parcel is sufficient to ensure good quality ponds. The ponds will be surveyed using the modified PondNet environmental survey and wetland plant survey, and water quality analysis will also be undertaken. This will enable PSYM analysis to determine if the pond is in good condition based on its ecology, whilst the water quality analysis will illustrate the efficacy of buffers. Water samples will also be taken from each pond for DNA analysis. In collaboration with partners at the Environment Agency, Cefas, Freshwater Habitats Trust, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, and Bowburn Consultancy, Natural England will combine DNA data from the AES ponds with DNA data from our national, long-term programmes which survey ponds every year (e.g. District Level Licensing, England Ecosystem Survey, GenePools, etc.) to develop novel metrics for assessing the ecological condition of ponds to enable landscape-scale decision-making. These data will contribute to natural capital accounting and 25 Year Environment Plan indicators, monitoring and evaluation of policy interventions including Environmental Land Management scheme, Nature Recovery and Net Gain, ground data for Living England, and remote sensing applications for condition assessment.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e6ff1aa9-2590-4eef-b8b5-8f1b4d0fb73c |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Sep 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 3 Oct 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 8 Sep 2024 |
| Contract period | 6 Oct 2024 - 7 Feb 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £26,543 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £26,543 |
| 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 | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 3JR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | UNIVERSITY OF EXETER |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

## Release History

- 16 Sep 2024 at 18:11 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e6ff1aa9-2590-4eef-b8b5-8f1b4d0fb73c

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e6ff1aa9-2590-4eef-b8b5-8f1b4d0fb73c
  16th September 2024 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

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