---
title: "LIFE R4ever Kent Project (LIFE20 NAT/UK/001001013) - eDNA monitoring for freshwater invertebrate species"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04ef2f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04ef2f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ef2f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ef2f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATURAL ENGLAND"
published: "2025-05-22"
---

# LIFE R4ever Kent Project (LIFE20 NAT/UK/001001013) - eDNA monitoring for freshwater invertebrate species

Buyer: NATURAL ENGLAND  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04ef2f

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## Summary

The procurement process for the LIFE R4ever Kent Project, managed by Natural England, focuses on eDNA monitoring for freshwater invertebrate species. This initiative is aimed at the restoration and revitalisation of the River Kent Special Area of Conservation located in South Cumbria. The procurement falls under the industry category of environmental services and employs an open competition method. Initially tendered on 19 March 2025 with submissions due by 2 April 2025, the procurement has reached the award stage, with the contract already signed on 9 April 2025. The contract will run from 14 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, with a potential extension until 31 August 2026.

This tender represents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in environmental services, particularly those experienced in DNA analysis and field monitoring. It is ideally suited for SMEs that offer innovative solutions in environmental conservation. By engaging in such a project, companies can enhance their technical portfolios and establish relationships with central government bodies like Natural England. The awarded contract to Surescreen Scientifics Limited, a UK-based SME, underscores the suitability of similar businesses to leverage their expertise in a strategic partnership aimed at positive environmental impacts.

## Notice

he LIFE R4ever Kent project (2021 -2026) aims restore and revitalise the River Kent Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in South Cumbria and its wider catchment, so it is more resilient to environmental pressures. This unique river, located on the fringes of the English Lake District is home to internationally important populations of bullhead, white-clawed crayfish, freshwater pearl mussel and water crowfoot (Ranunculus) habitat. A key deliverable of the project is to trial new monitoring techniques by implementing the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling for testing for the presence of Freshwater Pearl Mussels, White-clawed Crayfish along with invasive Signal Crayfish and associated disease Crayfish Plague. There are three parts to this contract: * The provision of eDNA water sampling equipment/kits and protocols * DNA extraction, analysis of samples taken and reporting the result * Sequencing of qPCR products Natural England will be responsible for the collection of water samples from sites across the River Kent Catchment.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025242-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 22 May 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 2 Apr 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 8 Apr 2025 |
| Contract period | 13 Apr 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £45,833 |
| Lots value | £45,833 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £26,941 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## 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 | TLD North West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | SURESCREEN SCIENTIFICS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

### Codes

- 90711300 - Environmental indicators analysis other than for construction

## Release History

- 22 May 2025 at 15:18 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025242-2025
- 19 Mar 2025 at 15:20 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010198-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025242-2025
  22nd May 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010198-2025
  19th March 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-240
  RFQ
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-241
  Contract Draft
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-242
  Commercial Response

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

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