---
title: "CEFAS24-92 Contract for marine benthic macroinvertebrate analysis of samples"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-e20fc240-8198-4dde-b403-fdda7f724ea9"
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source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CEFAS"
published: "2024-08-23"
---

# CEFAS24-92 Contract for marine benthic macroinvertebrate analysis of samples

Buyer: CEFAS  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-e20fc240-8198-4dde-b403-fdda7f724ea9

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## Summary

Cefas, a notable marine agency based in Lowestoft, has awarded a contract for the analysis of marine benthic macroinvertebrate samples to APEM Ltd, a company located in Stockport. The contract, titled "CEFAS24-92 Contract for marine benthic macroinvertebrate analysis of samples," falls under the industry category of analysis services (CPV code 71620000). This public procurement process has been completed, with key dates including the end of the tender period on 31st July 2024, the contract start date on 27th August 2024, and its end date on 31st January 2025. The project involves the handling, identification, and enumeration of marine sediment samples according to strict guidelines, and requires final data submission and a reference collection delivery to Cefas' facility in Lowestoft.

This contract offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in biological analysis, particularly those experienced in marine environments. It is well-suited for SMEs with capabilities in specimen identification, biotic data analysis, and taxonomic discrimination according to specified protocols. Moreover, the contractual requirements for data auditing, reference collection preparation, and comprehensive species listing offer a robust scope for companies adept at handling and processing marine sample data. Collaboration and compliance with Cefas' standards can enhance a company's portfolio and credibility within the environmental science sector.

## Notice

Cefas require a Supplier to process the 36 sediment samples (12 stations with triplicate samples), to extract and identify all biota retained following sieving on a 1.0 mm capture mesh, as per the NMBAQC guidelines detailing extraction and identification protocols. In addition to this, there is a requirement to ensure these data are audited as per the NMBAQC Own Samples protocol prior to submission to Cefas (Hall, 2019). http://www.nmbaqcs.org/media/1764/os686970_summary-report.pdf. Enumeration, identification and biomassing to the lowest possible taxonomic level should be carried out following the NMBAQC Processing Requirement Protocol and Taxonomic Discrimination Protocol. Biomass (wet weight in grams to at least 4 d.p.) is required for all enumerable taxa. Balances must be serviced annually and a valid service certificate must be supplied. A single reference collection of all species/taxa identified is required to be returned to the Cefas laboratories in Lowestoft in an appropriate preservation liquid (i.e. 100% IDA or 70% IMS, 20% water and 10% glycerol). The reference collection should contain, as a minimum, the species name, name of identifier/ supervisor, station code, cruise code, date of collection and name of species identification verifier. A list of all taxa in the reference collection is also requested, in electronic form, with these details included. Notable taxa should be highlighted here such as non-native species and new or unusual records. Non-native species should be added to the Non-native Species Information Portal (NNSIP) (hosted on the Non-native Species Secretariat website, http://www.nonnativespecies.org/index.cfm?sectionid=81). The abundance and biomass data matrices should be in completed with, at minimum, the detail in the exemplar provided and then sent via email following completion (full details to be provided at kick off meeting). All species names must be run through the WoRMS 'Match Taxa' tool so that all naming is current (http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=match). Samples are available for collection, by the successful Supplier, as soon as possible following Contract Award, from the storage facility in Lowestoft. Please include a cost to acknowledge this requirement within the RFQ Part 2 (Pricing). Samples must be transported safely and securely. Full details of the sample collection are to be confirmed at kick off meeting.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4887b0de-1eba-4251-a977-56e6d92f44de |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Aug 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 31 Jul 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 14 Aug 2024 |
| Contract period | 26 Aug 2024 - 31 Jan 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £29,127 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £29,127 |
| 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 | CEFAS |
| Locality | LOWESTOFT |
| Post town | Norwich |
| Postcode | NR33 0HT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH6 Suffolk |
| ITL 3 | TLH63 East Suffolk |
| Local authority | East Suffolk |
| Electoral ward | Kirkley & Pakefield |
| Westminster constituency | Lowestoft |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | APEM |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 71620000 - Analysis services

## Release History

- 23 Aug 2024 at 12:04 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4887b0de-1eba-4251-a977-56e6d92f44de

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4887b0de-1eba-4251-a977-56e6d92f44de
  23rd August 2024 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/5d0e4bf1-b3af-4490-9fb4-4b44c37e10e6
  CEFAS24-92 Cefas_Short_Form_Contract - COMPLETE.doc_Redacted

## Notice URLs

- http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=match
- http://www.nmbaqcs.org/media/1764/os686970_summary-report.pdf
- http://www.nonnativespecies.org/index.cfm?sectionid=81

## Provenance

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