---
title: "Microbial Communities as Indicators of Non-persistent Pesticides"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-f627099a-54c3-492b-bfd9-2161a8dbc24a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-f627099a-54c3-492b-bfd9-2161a8dbc24a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f627099a-54c3-492b-bfd9-2161a8dbc24a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f627099a-54c3-492b-bfd9-2161a8dbc24a.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATURAL ENGLAND"
published: "2025-06-12"
---

# Microbial Communities as Indicators of Non-persistent Pesticides

Buyer: NATURAL ENGLAND  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-f627099a-54c3-492b-bfd9-2161a8dbc24a

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## Summary

The procurement process titled "Microbial Communities as Indicators of Non-persistent Pesticides" was led by Natural England, located in Exeter, England. This project falls under the category of Research and Experimental Development Services (CPV code 73100000) and focuses on analysing soil microbial responses to pesticides. With a contract period starting on 29th November 2024 and ending on 31st March 2025, the tender process utilised an open procedure, suitable for below-threshold opportunities. The deadline for quotation submissions was 27th November 2024. Key activities include several stages of sampling and a technical report by the end of March 2025. The contract valued at £44,965.98 was awarded to Nottingham Trent University.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in environmental sciences, particularly those with expertise in soil ecosystems and pesticide impact assessments. Companies capable of conducting advanced microbial analysis using metabarcoding are well-suited for such services, positioning them for growth through collaboration with governmental organisations like Natural England. Although the procurement is not particularly aimed at SMEs or voluntary sector enterprises, it offers a practical chance for well-established research entities to advance their portfolios and showcase their scientific capabilities on a national stage.

## Notice

This project aims to deliver a short-term soil microcosm experiment to reveal the soil microbial responses to application of commonly used pesticides. Analysis of the microbial communities using metabarcoding will be used to identify any consistent community changes which might be used as indicators of exposure, or to evaluate pesticide impact. These indicators would be used to interpret microbial community data from the England Ecosystem Survey, a national soil monitoring programme, to indicate possible levels of pesticide exposure. The project would involve planning stages during December 2024, with the soil microcosms being set up, initial communities sampled, and experimental treatments applied during January 2025. Subsequent sampling would occur in early February and March 2025, with a brief technical report produced before end of March 2025. To apply for this opportunity you must submit your quotation meeting the requirements detailed in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) attached. Your response must be sent to matthew.j.shepherd@naturalengland.org.uk and jonny.griffiths@naturalengland.org.uk by 5pm on 27/11/2024. If you have any clarification questions linked to this opportunity or the procurement process please submit these via email to matthew.j.shepherd@naturalengland.org.uk and jonny.griffiths@naturalengland.org.uk before 15/11/2024. Please note that, unless commercially sensitive, both the question and the response will be circulated to all tenderers.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7ff235de-67e0-4a32-a95e-ea0f19c6b0ee |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 12 Jun 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 22 Nov 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Nov 2024 |
| Contract period | 29 Nov 2024 - 31 Mar 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £49,999 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £44,965 |
| 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 | EXETER |
| Post town | Exeter |
| Postcode | EX1 1QA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon |
| ITL 3 | TLK43 Devon CC |
| Local authority | Exeter |
| Electoral ward | St David's |
| Westminster constituency | Exeter |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73100000 - Research and experimental development services

## Release History

- 12 Jun 2025 at 13:28 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7ff235de-67e0-4a32-a95e-ea0f19c6b0ee
- 15 Nov 2024 at 13:59 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7bc37b42-0c6a-49cb-83d6-e4bc408242bb
- 5 Nov 2024 at 16:53 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7bc37b42-0c6a-49cb-83d6-e4bc408242bb
- 4 Nov 2024 at 12:42 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7bc37b42-0c6a-49cb-83d6-e4bc408242bb

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7ff235de-67e0-4a32-a95e-ea0f19c6b0ee
  12th June 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7bc37b42-0c6a-49cb-83d6-e4bc408242bb
  15th November 2024 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/d77b2e00-294c-4f96-953b-a10f3761b8d0
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/2e206197-a9b9-4aae-8f59-e58cfc54e8d5
  RFQ
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/7e088c7f-2779-44d3-9390-090d24ab69c0
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/d3cf433a-a177-468d-be1a-52a523706e01
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/141f40c7-d628-4e0d-bf05-e55c1e482047
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/894b94e1-3577-46ac-a7e2-fcd3e0baff1b
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/c9e6fb86-115f-4fdc-8949-ee8c1daf2bbc
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/SupplierAttachment/f92a8ad5-2813-412d-abf8-54199ac44225

## 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-f627099a-54c3-492b-bfd9-2161a8dbc24a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-f627099a-54c3-492b-bfd9-2161a8dbc24a.json.