--- title: "Improving regulation of microbial pollutants" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06e366" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e366" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e366.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e366.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "Environment Agency" published: "2026-08-17" --- # Improving regulation of microbial pollutants Buyer: Environment Agency Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06e366 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e366) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e366.json) ## Summary The Environment Agency is procuring research and experimental development services to improve the regulation of microbial pollutants in groundwater across the United Kingdom. The work covers three linked areas: a Rapid Evidence Assessment of the fate, transport and risks of microbial pollutants in the subsurface environment; guidance for qualitative groundwater risk assessments; and recommendations on the feasibility of quantitative or semi-quantitative assessment approaches. The requirement is intended to support better understanding and regulation of microbial pollution risks in groundwater. It is a services contract managed by the Environment Agency, with delivery possible remotely. The appointed contractor will be expected to attend virtual progress meetings with the Environment Agency project team. The process has reached tender: the Environment Agency invited quotations through a below-threshold open competition. Suppliers must submit a quotation meeting the Request for Quotation requirements by 17:00 on 7 September 2026. Clarification questions are to be submitted by email. Electronic submission is not allowed; responses must be sent by email to the address stated in the procurement requirements. The single lot has an estimated value of £40,000 excluding VAT, or £48,000 including VAT. The contract is expected to run from 12 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. Evaluation will consider the proposed approach to delivering the research and development work packages and the relevant expertise needed to complete them. This opportunity suits specialist environmental consultancies, research organisations and independent experts able to combine scientific research with practical groundwater regulation. Relevant capability includes hydrogeology, groundwater risk assessment, environmental permitting and assessment of microbial pollutants. Strong applicants should be able to review and interpret evidence about microbial pollutants in subsurface environments, assess fate, transport and risk, produce clear guidance for qualitative groundwater risk assessments, and judge the feasibility of quantitative or semi-quantitative methods. The requirement may suit smaller businesses and voluntary, community or social enterprises, as the lot is identified as suitable for both SMEs and VCSEs. Remote delivery can reduce travel and premises requirements, but the contractor must participate in virtual progress meetings with the Environment Agency team. ## Notice The Environment Agency is seeking a contractor to deliver a research and development project to improve the regulation of microbial pollutants in groundwater. The project comprises three work packages: (1) a Rapid Evidence Assessment of the fate, transport and risks of microbial pollutants in the subsurface environment; (2) development of guidance on undertaking qualitative groundwater risk assessments for microbial pollutants; and (3) recommendations on the feasibility of quantitative or semi-quantitative assessment approaches. The contract is expected to commence on 12 October 2026 and conclude by 31 March 2027. The work can be delivered remotely, although virtual progress meetings with the Environment Agency project team will be required. Suppliers should have expertise in hydrogeology, groundwater risk assessment, environmental permitting and/or microbial pollutant assessment. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078090-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Below threshold - open competition | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 17 Aug 2026 | | Submission deadline | 7 Sep 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 12 Oct 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £40,000 | | Lots value | £40,000 | | 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 | Environment Agency | | Locality | LONDON | | Postcode area | 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 - 73100000 - Research and experimental development services ## Release History - 17 Aug 2026 at 12:37 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078090-2026 - 17 Aug 2026 at 12:24 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078079-2026 - 17 Aug 2026 at 11:28 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078036-2026 - 13 Aug 2026 at 11:23 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077134-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078090-2026 17th August 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078079-2026 17th August 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078036-2026 17th August 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077134-2026 13th August 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-21151 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-21152 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-21153 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-21154 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-21155 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-21156 ## 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-06e366. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e366.json.