---
title: "Development of a Novel Method for Monitoring Inshore Fish Communities - EDNA"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-cc1155ed-3cf1-4da4-b6ba-60c738f5a04a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-cc1155ed-3cf1-4da4-b6ba-60c738f5a04a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cc1155ed-3cf1-4da4-b6ba-60c738f5a04a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-cc1155ed-3cf1-4da4-b6ba-60c738f5a04a.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL"
published: "2019-10-16"
---

# Development of a Novel Method for Monitoring Inshore Fish Communities - EDNA

Buyer: DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-cc1155ed-3cf1-4da4-b6ba-60c738f5a04a

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## Summary

The public procurement process involves the Defra Network eTendering Portal as the contracting authority, seeking to develop a novel method for monitoring inshore fish communities through the application of DNA technology. This tender falls under the category of marine research services and is located within the United Kingdom. The procurement method utilised is an open procedure below the threshold, and the contract was awarded on 20th September 2019. The contract period commenced on 6th September 2019 and runs until 31st March 2020. The procurement process was completed with a contract value of £23,040.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), that specialise in environmental monitoring and marine research. Companies that have experience in deploying eDNA technologies or conducting ecological surveys would be well-positioned to engage in similar future contracts. Successful providers could leverage this opportunity to enhance their reputations and expand their service offerings in the growing field of biodiversity monitoring and environmental management.

## Notice

Natural England is currently exploring applications of DNA technology in survey and monitoring of terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity, with a view to increasing efficiency in our monitoring programmes. Inshore fish communities are poorly understood. There is still a considerable lack of understanding of inshore fish community composition, community health, population status, and the scale and footprint of critical pressures and the efficacy of management measures. Filling this evidence gap is a priority for Natural England, as it impacts on the confidence that can be attributed to the efficacy of potential management measures, on estimations of Natural Capital values and on their Ecosystem Service and Societal Goods and Benefits values, and on the UK's ability to develop and evidence a world class marine monitoring system post-EU exit. When combined with commitments to improve the state of our marine environment identified in the 25 Year Environment Plan and the UK Marine Strategy, there is a clear evidential need to understand the nature and status of our inshore fish populations. This project will take this work forward to the stage of full operationalisation and integration with traditional approaches, by identifying the spatial scales and frequency of sampling that is required to effectively monitor inshore fish communities, and by adjusting programmable eDNA collection to better understand the relationship between fish communities and underlying habitats, and potentially also fishing activity. To further validate and operationalise the use of a large volume programmable marine eDNA sampler for use in routine monitoring of inshore fish communities, this project has the following objectives: 1. To test the feasibility of a large-volume programmable marine eDNA sampler in monitoring the composition of fish communities across a range of habitat specific deployments in the south west. 2. To assess the eDNA data for its ability to assess the presence and scale of breeding populations. 3. To statistically analyse the data to determine the sampling frequency needed when using a large-volume programmable marine eDNA sampler for measuring changes to the inshore fish communities in each habitat location. 4. To determine the spatial scale of sampling necessary to measure and infer changes to the inshore fish communities that would assist NE and IFCAs in developing appropriate advice. 5. To determine the presence and distribution of marine Species of Conservation Interest (SOCI) [and non-native species (NNS)], within the survey area. 6. Desirable subsidiary requirement: to test (in a restricted set of locations) the potential ability of eDNA data to assess species fidelity to key protected habitats by manipulation of the temporal sampling regime. For example, at a particular location comparing the eDNA signatures from samples collected during slack and peak tidal flow periods. Additional information: The Contracting Authority used an eTendering system in this procurement exercise. Suppliers instructions how to express interest in similar tenders are available on the eSourcing Portal. 1) Register your company on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once): - browse to the eSourcing Portal: https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk and click the link to register, - accept the terms and conditions and click "continue", - enter your correct business and user details, - note the username you chose and click "Save" when complete, - you will shortly receive an email with your unique password (please keep this secure).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3651ee52-0d5d-4e8d-ac8f-5c0d806e8ee4 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Oct 2019 |
| Submission deadline | 8 Aug 2019 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 19 Sep 2019 |
| Contract period | 5 Sep 2019 - 31 Mar 2020 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £23,040 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £23,040 |
| 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 | DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL |
| 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 | APPLIED GENOMICS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73112000 - Marine research services

## Release History

- 16 Oct 2019 at 12:23 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3651ee52-0d5d-4e8d-ac8f-5c0d806e8ee4

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3651ee52-0d5d-4e8d-ac8f-5c0d806e8ee4
  16th October 2019 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
  Link to eSourcing Portal

## Notice URLs

- https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk

## Provenance

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