---
title: "Undertaking a Biodiversity Audit of the Environment Agency Estate"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-84fd21c6-b71b-4cb1-85a4-f83539a5bd72"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-84fd21c6-b71b-4cb1-85a4-f83539a5bd72"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84fd21c6-b71b-4cb1-85a4-f83539a5bd72.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84fd21c6-b71b-4cb1-85a4-f83539a5bd72.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "ENVIRONMENT AGENCY"
published: "2026-02-23"
---

# Undertaking a Biodiversity Audit of the Environment Agency Estate

Buyer: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-84fd21c6-b71b-4cb1-85a4-f83539a5bd72

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## Summary

The Environment Agency has completed the procurement process for a contract titled "Undertaking a Biodiversity Audit of the Environment Agency Estate", classified under environmental services (CPV: 90700000). As part of its commitment to nature recovery and biodiversity enhancement, the agency sought to improve its understanding of its estate's biodiversity value. This procurement exercise was conducted through a selective method using a call-off from a framework agreement. The contract commenced on 16 February 2026 and is set to conclude on 31 March 2026. The procurement was suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and aimed to scrutinise various parcels of land across the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Europe, and beyond.

For businesses specialising in environmental services, this tender provided an excellent opportunity to align with government priorities in nature recovery efforts and contribute valuable expertise. The contract, awarded to Ove Arup & Partners Limited Primary, allowed for innovative approaches to conservation management, supporting the Environment Agency's strategic goals. Companies with capabilities in habitat evaluation, biodiversity auditing, and conservation planning likely found this procurement opportunity appealing. SMEs with specialised services could significantly expand their portfolio and foster growth by engaging in such strategic environmental initiatives.

## Notice

Nature recovery is a key part of the Environment Agency's (EA) business and a government priority. We have committed to deliver healthy land, air and water that support nature's recovery by 2050, in our corporate strategy EA2030. One of the key mechanisms the Environment Agency has for contributing to nature recovery targets is our own estate, as this is where we have the most direct influence over securing biodiversity outcomes. Our estate comprises 17,309 ha (16,718 ha freehold, 591 ha leasehold) and is made up of a variety of habitat types. Most are small parcels of land that are geographically dispersed across the country and held for primary functional purposes linked to the EA's roles and duties. Around 8,900 ha (51%) of this land is covered by at least one conservation designation. Our current understanding of the biodiversity value of our estate is limited to data gleaned from land cover mapping data, interspersed with some local knowledge. We have broad scale habitat data for our estate but hold no data on the quality and condition of those habitats. Without this we are unable to: * accurately measure the contribution of the estate to the EA's nature and biodiversity footprint or our land-based CO2e emissions * accurately measure the natural capital value of the estate in our Natural Capital Register and Account Tool (NCRAT) * prioritise sites within the estate to contribute to nature recovery initiatives including the Defra Group Nature Recovery Plan, the Government Estate for Nature and the National Estate for Nature * develop conservation management plans that effectively balance biodiversity needs with asset performance * understand the ability of our landholdings to support BNG or carbon market units either for internal use or external sale * gauge the potential for individual parcels of land to deliver additional co-benefits by functioning as effective nature-based solutions.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/04ceff44-715e-41a4-a1f5-ec0f3d7ab2a0 |
| 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 |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 30 Jan 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | 16 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £56,339 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £56,339 |
| 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 | ENVIRONMENT AGENCY |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 4DF |
| 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 | OVE ARUP & PARTNERS LIMITED PRIMARY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

### Codes

- 90700000 - Environmental services

## Release History

- 23 Feb 2026 at 11:18 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/04ceff44-715e-41a4-a1f5-ec0f3d7ab2a0

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/04ceff44-715e-41a4-a1f5-ec0f3d7ab2a0
  23rd February 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

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