---
title: "Procurement of Data Research Repository Replacement Proof of Concept"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-067360"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-067360"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067360.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067360.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS"
published: "2026-03-25"
---

# Procurement of Data Research Repository Replacement Proof of Concept

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-067360

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## Summary

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has completed the procurement stage for its Data Research Repository Replacement Proof of Concept. This procurement falls under the IT software package category and focuses on goods, utilizing the G-Cloud 14 framework to commission a cloud solution. The contract, valued at £37,438 excluding VAT, was awarded to Elsevier B.V for a short-term, three-month project starting in January 2026. This direct award was justified under regulation 32(2)(b) of the PCR 2015 due to technical reasons that limit competitive bidding. Located in the UK, the procurement ensures transparency and accountability in handling Defra’s research outputs.

This tender represents a prime opportunity for businesses specialising in cloud-based IT solutions and research repository services. Companies with expertise in developing compliant platforms that offer transparency and effectively manage research outputs can benefit from engaging with government projects such as this. SMEs, particularly those within the UK or EU offering specialised software packages under the G-Cloud framework, are well-positioned to compete for Defra's future procurement needs, potentially leading to extended contracts if additional approvals are secured.

## Notice

Procurement of a discrete Proof of Concept through a compliant CCS Framework

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Defra has a legal obligation to publish its research outputs on compliant platforms and to manage its R&D programme with transparency, auditability, and accountability--demonstrating the value and impact of public investment. As part of Discovery work, a Proof of Concept exercise was run through a compliant framework for a short-term period (three months) to understand and test the requirements needed to support a future procurement exercise.
Discussions were held with Project team to understand the market and potential solutions that would meet the requirements. Given the requirements for a Cloud solution, it was felt that the use of the G-Cloud 14 framework offered the best route to market for the purchase of the exploratory pilot Research Repository Service. A downselect was conducted via G-Cloud 14 in accordance with the Framework terms.

Although this is a call-off from the G-Cloud 14 Framework, the justification for this Direct Award is under regulation 32 (2) (b) of the PCR 2015 for use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication is against reason ii) "competition is absent for technical reasons" - the Call Off has downselected on technical criteria against a list of suppliers in accordance with the framework.

The value of the contract is a total contract value of PS37,438.00 (ex VAT) for a three- month period. Additional information: Defra has a legal obligation to publish its research outputs on compliant platforms and to manage its R&D programme with transparency, auditability, and accountability--demonstrating the value and impact of public investment. As part of Discovery work, a Proof of Concept exercise was run through a compliant framework for a short-term period (three months) to understand and test the requirements needed to support a future procurement exercise.
Discussions were held with Project team to understand the market and potential solutions that would meet the requirements. Given the requirements for a Cloud solution, it was felt that the use of the G-Cloud 14 framework offered the best route to market for the purchase of the exploratory pilot Research Repository Service. A downselect was conducted via G-Cloud 14 in accordance with the Framework terms.

Although this is a call-off from the G-Cloud 14 Framework, the justification for this Direct Award is under regulation 32 (2) (b) of the PCR 2015 for use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication is against reason ii) "competition is absent for technical reasons" - the Call Off has downselected on technical criteria against a list of suppliers in accordance with the framework.

The value of the contract is a total contract value of PS37,438.00 (ex VAT) for a three- month period.

Options: 1 Year Extension is available if the Authority requires subject to additional approvals

### Procurement Information

Defra has a legal obligation to publish its research outputs on compliant platforms and to manage its R&D programme with transparency, auditability, and accountability--demonstrating the value and impact of public investment. As part of Discovery work, a Proof of Concept exercise was run through a compliant framework for a short-term period (three months) to understand and test the requirements needed to support a future procurement exercise.
Discussions were held with Project team to understand the market and potential solutions that would meet the requirements. Given the requirements for a Cloud solution, it was felt that the use of the G-Cloud 14 framework offered the best route to market for the purchase of the exploratory pilot Research Repository Service. A downselect was conducted via G-Cloud 14 in accordance with the Framework terms.

Although this is a call-off from the G-Cloud 14 Framework, the justification for this Direct Award is under regulation 32 (2) (b) of the PCR 2015 for use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication is against reason ii) "competition is absent for technical reasons" - the Call Off has downselected on technical criteria against a list of suppliers in accordance with the framework.

The value of the contract is a total contract value of PS37,438.00 (ex VAT) for a three- month period.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027091-2026 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 25 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 15 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £37,438 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ELSEVIER |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems

### Codes

- 48517000 - IT software package

## Release History

- 25 Mar 2026 at 07:22 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027091-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://www.elsevier.com
- https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs

## 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-067360. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-067360.json.