---
title: "Defra audit scientific expertise 22-24"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-e15b5538-bf1f-447e-90e9-57cf5cf5fd22"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e15b5538-bf1f-447e-90e9-57cf5cf5fd22"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e15b5538-bf1f-447e-90e9-57cf5cf5fd22.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e15b5538-bf1f-447e-90e9-57cf5cf5fd22.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE"
published: "2025-10-03"
---

# Defra audit scientific expertise 22-24

Buyer: NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-e15b5538-bf1f-447e-90e9-57cf5cf5fd22

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## Summary

The procurement contract titled "Defra audit scientific expertise 22-24" was initiated by the National Audit Office, located in London, England. Classified under financial auditing services, this contract involves the provision of scientific expertise for auditing the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)'s handling of foot and mouth disease and metal mine water treatment liabilities. The contract was awarded to James Hutton Ltd through a direct procurement method, following a single tender action below the threshold. The procurement stage is now complete, with the contract spanning from 1st April 2022 to 31st December 2025. The total value of the contract stands at GBP 110,727.6, with the tender initially closing on 4th March 2022. Key activities include verifying site management approaches, cost assessments, and factoring climate change impacts.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in financial auditing services, particularly those with expertise in environmental audits and regulatory compliance. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to explore such contracts, as the procurement process supports their growth, although it is not specified for voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs). The contract's focus on long-term liability management and scientific validation requires specialists with knowledge in environmental risk assessment and audit practices. Engaging in this type of procurement can position businesses strategically within the public sector and enhance their experience in handling high-stakes environmental audits.

## Notice

The National Audit Office (NAO) awarded a contract to James Hutton Institute who would be providing 3 audits cycles (21/22, 22/23, 23/24) with appropriate scientific expertise to enable sufficient appropriate evidence for the Defra audit of the foot and mouth disease and metal mine water treatment liabilities. The contract commenced on Friday 1st April 2022 to Wednesday 31st December 2025.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1f253bb4-ed0b-4579-a710-10c278383571 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Single tender action (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 4 Mar 2022 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 16 Mar 2022 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2022 - 31 Dec 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £110,727 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £110,727 |
| 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 | NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1W 9SP |
| 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 | Pimlico North |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | JAMES HUTTON |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79212100 - Financial auditing services

## Release History

- 3 Oct 2025 at 10:59 - AwardUpdate - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1f253bb4-ed0b-4579-a710-10c278383571
- 26 Apr 2022 at 13:29 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1f253bb4-ed0b-4579-a710-10c278383571

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1f253bb4-ed0b-4579-a710-10c278383571
  3rd October 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-e15b5538-bf1f-447e-90e9-57cf5cf5fd22. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e15b5538-bf1f-447e-90e9-57cf5cf5fd22.json.