--- title: "CEFAS26-11 Framework for Next Generation Sequencing Services" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-069850" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069850" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069850.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069850.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE" published: "2026-05-14" --- # CEFAS26-11 Framework for Next Generation Sequencing Services Buyer: CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-069850 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069850) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069850.json) ## Summary The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) is inviting suppliers to participate in an open procedure for a framework agreement titled "CEFAS26-11 Framework for Next Generation Sequencing Services," classified under research laboratory services. The tender includes four lots: Targeted Sequencing, Whole Genome Sequencing, Long-Read Sequencing, and Ad-Hoc Requirements, with each bidder having the opportunity to bid for multiple lots. The tender is open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary and community social enterprises (VCSEs), and requires submission via an eProcurement system by 19 June 2026. The contracts, valued gross at £1,200,000 and net at £1,000,000, will commence in August 2026 for three years, with the potential for extension of up to two additional years. This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses specialising in genomics, sequencing technologies, and related laboratory services, as the framework aims to support various research programmes through the deployment of cutting-edge sequencing analyses. Businesses that are adept at delivering precise technical services and competitively pricing these services will be well-positioned to benefit from the maximum award cap of five contracts per lot. As the framework encourages broad participation and fosters a competitive environment, it presents an advantageous platform for firms seeking to expand their presence in the research and scientific services sector within the UK. Additionally, the support for SMEs and VCSEs in the selection criteria enhances the inclusivity and accessibility of the process for diverse business enterprises. ## Notice Cefas are seeking to establish a Framework for the provision of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) services, for a variety of NGS analyses methods, to support the delivery of numerous and varied research programmes that are utilising genomics. The framework is split into 4 Lots and Suppliers can bid for any number of Lots. Cefas intends to award up to 5 Contracts for each Lot, based on Suppliers meeting the required technical and pricing evaluation criteria. Cefas will then call-off from the framework for individual project requirements, as set out in the full Specification of Requirement document in the Bidder Pack. If a Supplier is awarded multiple Lots, one Contract will be awarded to cover the relevant Lots. The Contract implementation is expected to start in August 2026 for a period of 3 years with the option to extend for 2 further periods of 12 months each. Prices will be fixed for the initial 3 year period of the Contract. Prices may then be increased on an annual basis if the Contract is extended, in line with CPI. Full details of the tender and framework processes are set out in the Bidder Pack documents. PLEASE NOTE: All Suppliers bidding for any number of Lots must complete the Procurement Specific Questionnaire Envelope. Lot 1 - Targeted Sequencing Suppliers will deliver targeted sequencing analyses, such as: * Amplicon sequencing and metabarcoding, utilising mainly 16S, 18S, COI and ITS markers, but also other custom primers may be required on an ad-hoc basis. * Library enrichment, such as bait capture/hybrid probe capture techniques. Lot 2 - Whole Genome Suppliers will deliver whole genome, metagenomic and transcriptomic sequencing, in applications such as: * Whole genome/metagenomic sequencing for microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection, genome assembly, AMR screening, population genetics. * Transcriptomic/single-cell/spatial transcriptomic sequencing for host-pathogen interactions, functional annotation/classification, metabolic pathways, gene expression. Lot 3 - Long-Read Sequencing Suppliers will provide long-read sequencing analysis, using either PacBio or Oxford Nanopore Technologies. This may be for several different applications, mainly studies of: * Microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection * Whole-genome assembly, AMR screening, population genetics * Nanopore-specific - Methylation sequencing, epigenetics Lot 4 - Ad-Hoc Requirements Suppliers will ad-hoc requests, i.e. those that do not fit in the prior lot categories. This would most likely be utilised when a unique/proprietary technology or analysis is required, such as RAD-Seq, that Cefas cannot undertake in-house. Specifics would be detailed in the individual project request via the call-off process, which will be a mini-competition process as set out in Appendix 4. ### Lot Information Lot 1 - Targeted Sequencing Suppliers will deliver targeted sequencing analyses, such as: * Amplicon sequencing and metabarcoding, utilising mainly 16S, 18S, COI and ITS markers, but also other custom primers may be required on an ad-hoc basis. * Library enrichment, such as bait capture/hybrid probe capture techniques. Renewal: 2 x 12 months Lot 2 - Whole Genome Suppliers will deliver whole genome, metagenomic and transcriptomic sequencing, in applications such as: * Whole genome/metagenomic sequencing for microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection, genome assembly, AMR screening, population genetics. * Transcriptomic/single-cell/spatial transcriptomic sequencing for host-pathogen interactions, functional annotation/classification, metabolic pathways, gene expression. Renewal: 2 x 12 months Lot 3 - Long-Read Sequencing Suppliers will provide long-read sequencing analysis, using either PacBio or Oxford Nanopore Technologies. This may be for several different applications, mainly studies of: * Microbial diversity, microbiome analysis, species identification, pathogen detection * Whole-genome assembly, AMR screening, population genetics * Nanopore-specific - Methylation sequencing, epigenetics Renewal: 2 x 12 months Lot 4 - Ad-Hoc Requirements Suppliers will ad-hoc requests, i.e. those that do not fit in the prior lot categories. This would most likely be utilised when a unique/proprietary technology or analysis is required, such as RAD-Seq, that Cefas cannot undertake in-house. Specifics would be detailed in the individual project request via the call-off process, which will be a mini-competition process as set out in Appendix 4. Renewal: 2 x 12 months DUMMY LOT - PLEASE IGNORE Dummy Lot only due to system error with publishing notice Renewal: 2 x 12 months ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044189-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | 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 | 14 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 19 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 9 Aug 2026 - 10 Aug 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 | CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE | | Locality | LOWESTOFT | | Post town | Norwich | | Postcode | NR33 0HT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH6 Suffolk | | ITL 3 | TLH63 East Suffolk | | Local authority | East Suffolk | | Electoral ward | Kirkley & Pakefield | | Westminster constituency | Lowestoft | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73111000 - Research laboratory services ## Release History - 14 May 2026 at 07:23 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044189-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044189-2026 14th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - 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-069850. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069850.json.