--- title: "Metabarcoding validation framework 2026/2027" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d396" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d396" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d396.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d396.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "NATURAL ENGLAND" published: "2026-08-04" --- # Metabarcoding validation framework 2026/2027 Buyer: NATURAL ENGLAND Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d396 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d396) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d396.json) ## Summary The current tender, titled "Metabarcoding Validation Framework 2026/2027," is managed by Natural England, a central government public authority located in London. The procurement is active and seeks to advance DNA-based monitoring methods used for ecological monitoring. This opportunity, classified under "Research and development services and related consultancy services" and "Environmental training services" (CPV codes: 73000000 and 80540000 respectively), involves expanding an existing validation framework for DNA metabarcoding assays, including literature review, meta-analysis, beta testing, and training material development. The procurement is an open competition, below the threshold, with no electronic submissions allowed. Interested parties must submit their quotations by 9:00 on 17 August 2026, with all inquiries to be submitted by 10 August 2026. The value of this contract is set at £41,666 (net of VAT), and the project is set to commence on 11 September 2026 and conclude by 25 February 2027. This tender offers considerable opportunities for businesses specialising in research, consultancy, and environmental training services to contribute to the domain of modern ecological monitoring. Companies capable of conducting scientific literature reviews, framework testing, and producing training resources for DNA-based methodologies stand to benefit. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also encouraged to apply, as this lot is deemed suitable for them. Businesses that can provide innovative solutions in DNA diagnostics and assay validations while delivering educational materials will find this tender particularly rewarding in advancing their market presence and technical expertise. ## Notice DNA-based methods have the potential to significantly change how we monitor and assess ecosystems. Natural England has been exploring the use of these methods for environmental monitoring for several years, delivering a series of reports which focus on the development of DNA-based methods with potential in a particular area. These methods are now being used more widely within Natural England, particularly the detection of ecological communities using environmental DNA (eDNA). This is often conducted by employing metabarcoding assays which target specific species assemblages (e.g. fish, mammals) or broader taxonomic groups (e.g. vertebrates, invertebrates, bacteria). The DNA Team aims to operationalise DNA-based methods and produces guidance for using them in monitoring projects. In order to provide sound recommendations, it is important that we understand the limitations of, and uncertainties with, DNA-based methods. Natural England staff need to be able to understand how DNA-derived data can be used, and the confidence they can have in data derived using different DNA-based methods which have been validated to different stages. Natural England previously commissioned the development of a framework to enable end users to assess confidence in metabarcoding assays and results (Pagaling and others, under review; a copy of the framework can be provided by Natural England upon request by emailing monitoring.innovation@naturalengland.org.uk). By using the checklist and levelled scale, end users can appropriately interpret results. It also provides validation and reporting standards for the development of new metabarcoding assays. The framework will enable end-users to determine the recommended scenarios for application of a given assay and improve assay performance with further validation. This project will advance the metabarcoding assay validation framework by expanding upon previous work to conduct a further literature review and meta-analysis, covering more assays being used for different purposes and in different contexts. In addition beta testing of the framework and user guide will be required, as well as the creation and delivery of training materials and course . ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073810-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 4 Aug 2026 | | Submission deadline | 17 Aug 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 10 Sep 2026 - 25 Feb 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £41,666 | | Lots value | £41,666 | | 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 | 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 | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 80 - Education and training services ### Codes - 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 80540000 - Environmental training services ## Release History - 4 Aug 2026 at 14:28 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073810-2026 - 30 Jul 2026 at 13:20 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072233-2026 - 29 Jul 2026 at 13:24 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071753-2026 - 27 Jul 2026 at 13:26 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070826-2026 - 24 Jul 2026 at 14:51 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070437-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073810-2026 4th August 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072233-2026 30th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071753-2026 29th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070826-2026 27th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070437-2026 24th July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-19672 RFQ - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-19673 Commercial Response Template - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-19705 Order form - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-19734 RFQ - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-19853 RFQ - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-19917 Clarification to bidders questions - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-20125 Clarification to bidders questions ## 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-06d396. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d396.json.