---
title: "e-Commercial system - procurement and contract management functionality"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066c82"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066c82"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066c82.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066c82.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS"
published: "2026-03-17"
---

# e-Commercial system - procurement and contract management functionality

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066c82

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066c82.json)

## Summary

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), located in London, is seeking market engagement for an e-Commercial system to enhance procurement and contract management functionality. This initiative, set within the information technology services industry, involves key players such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Environment Agency, and others. The contract is scheduled to commence on 1 March 2027 and end on 29 February 2032, with the procurement stage currently in planning. Prospective tenderers are invited to respond to the market engagement by 5 April 2026, with opportunities available for system demonstrations during the engagement period. Future notices regarding this procurement are anticipated on 1 May 2026.

This tender presents substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in Information Technology Services, particularly those offering Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. SMEs with innovative e-Commercial platforms can leverage this engagement to establish long-term relationships across multiple public sector bodies such as Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation. The process allows for early engagement and potential customisation to meet the broader needs of public agencies, providing a platform for companies to expand their portfolio within central government operations.

## Notice

Defra has an ongoing requirement for a Software as a Service (SaaS), supporting an e-Commercial system spanning procurement and contract management functionality. The following UK public sector bodies are authorised and enabled to use the current contract: Defra, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Environment Agency, Marine Management Organisation, Natural England, Rural Payments Agency, Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board. The purpose of this notice (and any associated published documents) is for the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs ("Defra") to make known its intention to commence market engagement (making no commitment to commence any formal procurement process) for an understanding of e-Commercial systems available for use in the public sector.

### Planning Information

The market engagement document is available by request from DgC.SystemsTeam@defra.gov.uk.
Prospective tenderers are requested to read the market engagement document and to complete a response to the market engagement questionnaire in Appendix 1 by 05 April 2026. 
As part of the process we are asking for system demonstrations.
You can book demonstration slots prior to submitting your response. A list of demonstration slots is available in the market engagement document - slots will be allocated on a first come first served basis. 
Responses should be returned as a PDF copy. All communication should go to DgC.SystemsTeam@defra.gov.uk.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024179-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 1 May 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Mar 2027 - 29 Feb 2032 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT FOOD & 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

- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 72222300 - Information technology services

## Release History

- 17 Mar 2026 at 15:18 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024179-2026
- 17 Mar 2026 at 15:16 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024177-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024179-2026
  17th March 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024177-2026
  17th March 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-066c82. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066c82.json.