---
title: "OWD-Assessing environmental DNA sampling methods for environmental assessments of marine renewable developments"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000793902"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000793902"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000793902.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000793902.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT"
published: "2025-09-10"
---

# OWD-Assessing environmental DNA sampling methods for environmental assessments of marine renewable developments

Buyer: SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000793902

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## Summary

The Scottish Government awarded a contract titled "OWD-Assessing environmental DNA sampling methods for environmental assessments of marine renewable developments" to the University of Exeter. The project involves carrying out eDNA analysis, metabarcoding, and bioinformatics on water and sediment samples to evaluate the effectiveness of eDNA sampling for marine renewable energy developments. The procurement falls under the services category and follows an open procedure. The award was announced on 10th September 2025, with the contract having been signed on 8th September 2025. This initiative is managed by the Scottish Government from Glasgow, with a focus on environmental DNA methods in marine settings. The contract’s value is £76,633.08, with possible extensions up to July 2026.

This tender provides significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in environmental services, particularly those with capabilities in eDNA analysis and marine biodiversity assessments. Companies with expertise in marine environmental impact assessments, bioinformatics, and related consultancy services could greatly benefit by positioning themselves as key players in the expanding sector of marine renewables. Participation requires compliance with specific economic, financial, and technical criteria, making it ideal for businesses with robust supply chain management and environmental measures. The open procurement method ensures fair competition, allowing even smaller enterprises to vie alongside larger firms, fostering innovation in marine environmental services.

## Notice

The Offshore Wind Directorate (OWD) is looking for a suitable Service Provider to carry out eDNA analysis, metabarcoding and bioinformatics of water and sediment samples collected from the marine environment. This work will feed into a project assessing the effectiveness of eDNA-based sampling for environmental assessments for marine renewable energy developments and propose guidelines for standardised sampling strategies.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The Offshore Wind Directorate (OWD) invites a tender from a suitable Service Provider to carry out eDNA analysis and metabarcoding of water and sediment samples collected from the marine environment. This work will feed into a project to provide clarity on the suitability of environmental DNA (eDNA) in a context of delivery of data necessary for biodiversity assessments in the marine environment. This project would also support the delivery of guidelines for consistent approaches to survey sampling design and utilisation of eDNA-based biodiversity data for environmental impact assessments for potential Marine Renewables (MR) installations.. The contract may be extended by one period of up to 3 months to a date falling no later than 21 July 2026.

Renewal: The Scottish Government reserve the right to extend the contract by up to 3 months. The inclusion of the option to extend is intended to mitigate any potential delays in project deliverables.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP538896 |
| Notice type | PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Sep 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 1 Jul 2025 |
| Future notice date | 1 May 2025 |
| Award date | 8 Sep 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £100,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £76,633 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH6 6QQ |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | Leith |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh North and Leith |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | UNIVERSITY OF EXETER |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

### Codes

- 38950000 - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment
- 38951000 - Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) equipment
- 71900000 - Laboratory services
- 73112000 - Marine research services
- 90710000 - Environmental management

## Release History

- 10 Sep 2025 at 00:00 - Award - PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP538896
- 27 May 2025 at 00:00 - Tender - PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY531179
- 20 Mar 2025 at 00:00 - Planning - PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR526488

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAR526488&idx=1
  20th March 2025 - eDNA metabarcoding PIN and RFI
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR526488
  OWD-Assessing environmental DNA sampling methods for environmental assessments of marine renewable developments - The Offshore Wind Directorate (OWD) is looking for a suitable Service Provider to carry out eDNA analysis, metabarcoding and bioinformatics of water and sediment samples collected from the marine environment. This work will feed into a project assessing the effectiveness of eDNA-based sampling for environmental assessments for marine renewable energy developments and propose guidelines for standardised sampling strategies.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY531179
  OWD-Assessing environmental DNA sampling methods for environmental assessments of marine renewable developments - The Offshore Wind Directorate (OWD) is looking for a suitable Service Provider to carry out eDNA analysis, metabarcoding and bioinformatics of water and sediment samples collected from the marine environment. This work will feed into a project assessing the effectiveness of eDNA-based sampling for environmental assessments for marine renewable energy developments and propose guidelines for standardised sampling strategies.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP538896
  OWD-Assessing environmental DNA sampling methods for environmental assessments of marine renewable developments - The Offshore Wind Directorate (OWD) is looking for a suitable Service Provider to carry out eDNA analysis, metabarcoding and bioinformatics of water and sediment samples collected from the marine environment. This work will feed into a project assessing the effectiveness of eDNA-based sampling for environmental assessments for marine renewable energy developments and propose guidelines for standardised sampling strategies.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- http://www.scotland.gov.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000793902
- https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

## 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-r6ebe6-0000793902. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000793902.json.