---
title: "RDE981 - MPAs at risk from water quality pressures"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-edb7b150-938d-438e-b9d5-12b59c512ff6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-edb7b150-938d-438e-b9d5-12b59c512ff6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-edb7b150-938d-438e-b9d5-12b59c512ff6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-edb7b150-938d-438e-b9d5-12b59c512ff6.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATURAL ENGLAND"
published: "2026-01-20"
---

# RDE981 - MPAs at risk from water quality pressures

Buyer: NATURAL ENGLAND  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-edb7b150-938d-438e-b9d5-12b59c512ff6

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## Summary

The public procurement process, managed by Natural England, involves a contract titled "RDE981 - MPAs at risk from water quality pressures". This initiative is classified under the industry category of Research and Development Consultancy Services and seeks to identify Marine Protected Areas where upstream actions can improve ecological conditions. The contract, valued at GBP 49,265, is geared towards implementing solutions to reduce sediment, nutrient, and contaminant inputs. The tendering process followed a 'selective' procurement method through a call-off from a framework agreement. The tender period concluded on 11th December 2025, with the contract running from 12th December 2025 to 31st March 2026. Although the procurement process is marked as complete, an award was made to The Marine Biological Association of the UK, an SME, on 13th January 2026.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses involved in environmental consulting, particularly those focusing on water quality and ecological sustainability. Such businesses can expand their portfolios by providing expertise in reducing environmental pressures on protected marine areas. Organisations with capabilities in innovative research and development in water quality, as well as experience in collaborating with governmental bodies like Defra, will find this type of procurement highly suitable. Engaging in such projects not only fosters business growth but also positions companies as leaders in sustainable environmental solutions.

## Notice

To identify those MPAs where action taken at source (i.e upstream of the MPA) to reduce sediment, nutrient and contaminant inputs will have the greatest impact on the condition of MPA features. Contract awarded by Defra.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4066a685-65cd-4f94-a7c1-f4e26ce692ae |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 11 Dec 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 13 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 12 Dec 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £49,265 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £49,265 |
| 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 | NATURAL ENGLAND |
| 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 | THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

## Release History

- 20 Jan 2026 at 16:50 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4066a685-65cd-4f94-a7c1-f4e26ce692ae

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4066a685-65cd-4f94-a7c1-f4e26ce692ae
  20th January 2026 - 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-edb7b150-938d-438e-b9d5-12b59c512ff6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-edb7b150-938d-438e-b9d5-12b59c512ff6.json.