---
title: "Water Quality Research and Catchment Planning in the River Wye."
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0606a0"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0606a0"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0606a0.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0606a0.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS"
published: "2026-01-15"
---

# Water Quality Research and Catchment Planning in the River Wye.

Buyer: DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0606a0

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## Summary

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has commenced an open procedure for a research project titled "Water Quality Research and Catchment Planning in the River Wye." This initiative falls under the services category, specifically focusing on research services, and targets the UK region. The process is in the tender stage with a closing date for tender submissions set for 18th February 2026, while enquiries are to be made by 4th February 2026. The overall project value is estimated at £1,200,000, with a primary budget allocation of £1,000,000. The contract period is anticipated to span from 16th March 2026 to 17th April 2029, with a potential six-month extension option. The project aims to explore pollution sources, improve water quality, and manage land strategically within the River Wye catchment, involving stakeholder engagement using a 'living-labs' approach. 

This procurement process presents significant opportunities for businesses engaged in research and development, particularly those experienced in environmental studies, land management, and stakeholder engagement. SMEs and VCSEs are encouraged to participate, enhancing the diversity of solutions and innovation. Companies with capabilities in agricultural pollution studies, land use planning, and water quality management will find this an excellent opportunity to contribute to an impactful environmental project. The open procurement method ensures a fair competition landscape, providing a platform for businesses to demonstrate their expertise and contribute to sustainable environmental outcomes in the River Wye region.

## Notice

This opportunity is an Open Procedure advertised by Defra group Commercial on behalf of Defra. The Wye catchment covers two nations, and five counties, and contains a complex mix of land use, including agriculture, urban areas, and a wealth of protected sites. With this varied geography comes a complex stakeholder landscape, combining a range of values and interests. This also brings a range of pressures on the water environment of the catchment. Defra and the Welsh Government are seeking to deliver a research project to investigate sources of pollution and pressures affecting the Wye and develop and test ways to improve land management for water quality using a 'living-labs' approach to test solutions with local stakeholders. Additionally, the project will identify best practice approaches to undertaking research involving complex stakeholder groups. The aims of the research programme are to build on existing evidence and work alongside stakeholders to: * Investigate the sources of the pollution and pressures affecting the river, in particular focussing on agricultural pollution * Study the impacts of changing farming practices and land management in the catchment * Develop and test new ways to improve land management to improve water quality, which are suitable for the Wye catchment and will also be transferable to other catchments, using a 'living-labs' approach to test solutions * Examine what's driving wildlife decline and water flow - the movement and quantity of water which is crucial for habitats and species * Understand best practice for undertaking research involving a complex stakeholder group. This strategy aligns with other foundational initiatives such as the Environmental Improvement Plan and the Land Use Framework. For further information please visit Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2025 - GOV.UK

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: There is an option of a 6-month extension to the project due to unforeseen circumstances.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003483-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 18 Feb 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 16 Mar 2026 - 17 Apr 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,000,000 |
| Lots value | £1,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS |
| 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 |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services

## Release History

- 15 Jan 2026 at 12:58 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003483-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003483-2026
  15th January 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://atamis-9529.my.salesforce.com/a2ZTu000003GprGMAS/p
- https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome
- https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-h6vhtk-0606a0. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0606a0.json.