---
title: "Evaluation of off-the-shelf technologies for their potential to track Asian Hornets (Vespa velutina)"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-eee7fd8b-4976-43cc-8d3b-8c877935268c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-eee7fd8b-4976-43cc-8d3b-8c877935268c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-eee7fd8b-4976-43cc-8d3b-8c877935268c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-eee7fd8b-4976-43cc-8d3b-8c877935268c.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL"
published: "2017-03-09"
---

# Evaluation of off-the-shelf technologies for their potential to track Asian Hornets (Vespa velutina)

Buyer: DEFRA NETWORK ETENDERING PORTAL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-eee7fd8b-4976-43cc-8d3b-8c877935268c

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## Summary

The procurement process titled "Evaluation of off-the-shelf technologies for their potential to track Asian Hornets (Vespa velutina)" is initiated by the Defra Network eTendering Portal, focusing on the services industry category. The contract, valued at £65,808, is set to commence on 1st March 2017 and will conclude on 30th November 2017. The procurement method adopted for this process is limited, allowing for the award of a contract without prior publication of a contract notice. The tender period closed on 1st February 2017.

This opportunity may present significant growth potential for businesses specialising in technology services, research, and market-testing, particularly those that can develop or enhance insect tracking technologies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary community social enterprises (VCSEs) will find this tender particularly suitable. Engaging in this project could enable companies to expand their capabilities in innovative research services and collaborate with established organisations like the University of Exeter.

## Notice

The overall aim is to test whether off-the-shelf insect tracking technology can be used to track Asian hornets in the wild, flying from forage sites to their nests, and thus aid nest detection. We have the following objectives: 1) Interview key Asian hornet scientists in Europe to review latest methods that have been evaluated for finding nests 2) Test effectiveness of Biotrack & RECCO tracking technologies in a range of habitats and environments likely to be suitable for Asian hornet nesting. 3) Optimise Biotrack PicoPip tag (antennal length, orientation, attachment method) for use on ~200mg flying insect 4) Optimise RECCO radar tag (antennal length, orientation, attachment method) for use on ~200mg flying insect 5) Test optimised tags on hornets (or surrogate insects) in confined conditions to confirm that insects behave and fly as expected. 6) Field test the most promising technology (Biotrack or RECCO or both) on free-flying Asian hornets in France. Test whether they can detect return flights to nests. 7) Design protocol for using technology to find nests in future, documenting constraints (e.g. environment, range, battery life), and write an instruction manual. 8) Write final report and talks for Defra, NBU and beekeepers. Additional information: Please note that Defra procurement uses e-tendering, provided by Bravosolutions. In order to access the Bravo system you will need to be registered. Could I therefore request that you register on the Bravo portal for Defra. If you're already registered on the Bravo portal please check that your registration includes Defra, as you have to specify us in order to correctly receive the tender documents. If you have any problems with the registration process, please contact the Bravo helpline on 0800 368 4850 or alternatively email them at help@bravosolution.co.uk. The link you require for new registration/amendments to registrations is - https://defra.bravosolution.co.uk

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b376672f-4671-40ed-be99-fbb15ca13df1 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award of contract without prior publication of a contract notice |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 9 Mar 2017 |
| Submission deadline | 1 Feb 2017 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 21 Feb 2017 |
| Contract period | 1 Mar 2017 - 30 Nov 2017 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £65,808 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £65,808 |
| 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 | UNIVERSITY OF EXETER |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 72222300 - Information technology services
- 73110000 - Research services
- 73430000 - Test and evaluation
- 79312000 - Market-testing services

## Release History

- 9 Mar 2017 at 13:49 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b376672f-4671-40ed-be99-fbb15ca13df1

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b376672f-4671-40ed-be99-fbb15ca13df1
  9th March 2017 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

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

## Provenance

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