---
title: "RDE684 Negating the necessity for International Deep Sea Mining"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-84f467c3-2101-4f25-b26e-5f5abb40e611"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-84f467c3-2101-4f25-b26e-5f5abb40e611"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84f467c3-2101-4f25-b26e-5f5abb40e611.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84f467c3-2101-4f25-b26e-5f5abb40e611.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS"
published: "2025-03-11"
---

# RDE684 Negating the necessity for International Deep Sea Mining

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-84f467c3-2101-4f25-b26e-5f5abb40e611

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## Summary

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has completed the procurement process for a contract titled "RDE684 Negating the necessity for International Deep Sea Mining." The contract, classified under Research and Development Consultancy Services, aims to investigate alternatives to deep-sea mining for critical minerals. The procurement method was selective, executed as a call-off from a framework agreement. The contract period commenced on 12 December 2024 and will conclude on 31 August 2025, with a total value of £104,988.02 GBP. The geographical focus includes various regions such as British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, Europe, Isle of Man, the UK, and the rest of the world.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses particularly those involved in consultancy, research and development, and environmental sustainability. SMEs and VCSEs are especially encouraged to participate, providing a platform to expand their expertise and influence in the realm of resource efficiency and environmental protection. The University of Exeter has been awarded the contract, demonstrating how academic and research institutions can play a vital role in such high-impact areas. Businesses with a strong foundation in consultancy services that advocate sustainable practices are well-suited to compete for similar opportunities, fostering growth through innovative solutions to global challenges.

## Notice

International Deep-Sea Mining (IDSM) for CM (Critical Minerals), minerals with high economic vulnerability and a high global supply risk, is an area of international interest with multiple state actors sponsoring exploratory studies in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the mid Pacific. The tension between of resource security and environmental protection is a key issue for Defra. We are keen to understand, in detail, the potential for the UK need to be met through resource efficiency, rather than primary extraction from the seabed.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c60f070d-2511-4490-bea2-823f80618a66 |
| 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 | 11 Mar 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 5 Dec 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 27 Jan 2025 |
| Contract period | 12 Dec 2024 - 31 Aug 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £104,988 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £104,988 |
| 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 | DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS |
| 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

- 11 Mar 2025 at 13:20 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c60f070d-2511-4490-bea2-823f80618a66

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c60f070d-2511-4490-bea2-823f80618a66
  11th March 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## 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-b5fd17-84f467c3-2101-4f25-b26e-5f5abb40e611. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84f467c3-2101-4f25-b26e-5f5abb40e611.json.