---
title: "EcoSF4: Lake Phytoplankton Analysis 2026/27"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-f343e870-a1f5-489a-b1f2-e2aed5d0bfab"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-f343e870-a1f5-489a-b1f2-e2aed5d0bfab"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f343e870-a1f5-489a-b1f2-e2aed5d0bfab.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f343e870-a1f5-489a-b1f2-e2aed5d0bfab.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFRA"
published: "2026-08-14"
---

# EcoSF4: Lake Phytoplankton Analysis 2026/27

Buyer: DEFRA  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-f343e870-a1f5-489a-b1f2-e2aed5d0bfab

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## Summary

DEFRA procured specialist lake phytoplankton analysis services under the EcoSF4 programme. The work covers samples collected from lakes in England and requires analysis using the Utermöhl technique to identify phytoplankton to the species level from a provided list, together with identification, enumeration and biovolume assessment. This is a scientific research service, classified under research services, rather than a supply, construction or general laboratory support requirement. DEFRA is the buying organisation, with its commercial function based in London. The requirement is focused on freshwater ecological analysis and the production of species-level data from lake samples, making it relevant to environmental laboratories, freshwater ecologists and specialist aquatic research providers with the necessary analytical capability.

The procurement is complete and was awarded through a selective call-off from a framework agreement. APEM Ltd was awarded the contract on 14 July 2026. The awarded value is £153,003.33, with a contract period from 14 July 2026 to 31 July 2028. The published procurement value and the award value are the same. The requirement was treated as a single service package, with no separate lots recorded. The procurement was classified as a service and was not identified as suitable for SMEs or voluntary, community and social enterprises. The award is active, so this outcome records a selected supplier and an operating contract rather than an opportunity to submit a bid.

For a future requirement of this kind, a credible competitor would need demonstrable expertise in freshwater phytoplankton analysis and the ability to apply the Utermöhl technique consistently to lake samples. The work demands species-level identification against a specified list, reliable enumeration and biovolume assessment, so suppliers would need suitably trained taxonomic analysts, appropriate microscopy and sample-handling facilities, and robust quality-control processes. They would also need the capacity to process samples collected across England and provide defensible ecological data to a government buyer. The award indicates demand for a specialist environmental research provider able to deliver repeatable analytical outputs at a substantial, multi-year service scale. The buyer’s use of a framework call-off also makes framework access and experience of structured public-sector delivery commercially relevant.

## Notice

Lake phytoplankton analysis using the Utermohl technique to the species level of provided list. Provide identification, enumeration and biovolume assessment of lake phytoplankton samples collected from lakes in England.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/16f53a67-c0a4-40f7-b3a7-bc3e6f691cac |
| 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 | Not specified |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 14 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 27 May 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 14 Jul 2026 |
| Contract period | 14 Jul 2026 - 31 Jul 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £153,003 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £153,003 |
| 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 |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Postcode area | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 3HX |
| 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 | APEM Ltd |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services

## Release History

- 14 Aug 2026 at 18:07 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/16f53a67-c0a4-40f7-b3a7-bc3e6f691cac
- 14 Aug 2026 at 18:07 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5e55bb01-947a-4bd5-9b5d-923163fa58db

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/16f53a67-c0a4-40f7-b3a7-bc3e6f691cac
  14th August 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5e55bb01-947a-4bd5-9b5d-923163fa58db
  14th August 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

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