Summary
- OCID:
- ocds-h6vhtk-06d396
- Published by:
- Natural England
- Authority ID:
- AA21675
- Publication date:
- 28 July 2026
- Deadline date:
- 17 August 2026
- Notice type:
- UK4
- Has documents:
- No
- Has SPD:
- No
- Has Carbon Reduction Plan:
- N/A
Abstract
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 .
Full notice text
Scope
Procurement description
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 .
Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)
41666 GBP to 41666GBP
Contract dates (estimated)
11 September 2026, 00:00AM to 25 February 2027, 23:59PM
Contracting authority
Natural England
Identification register:
Address 1: Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
Town/City: London
Postcode: SW1P 4DF
Country: United Kingdom
Public Procurement Organisation Number: PJDG-6588-XDMM
NUTS code: UKI32
Email: monitoring.innovation@naturalengland.org.uk
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Is the total value above threshold?
Below threshold
Lots
Divided into 1 lots
Lot number: 1 CPV classifications
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 80540000 - Environmental training services
Lot value (estimated)
41666 GBP Excluding VAT
50000 GBP Including VAT
Sustainability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Contract start date (estimated)
11 September 2026, 00:00AM
Contract end date (estimated)
25 February 2027, 23:59PM
Simple description of award criteria
Full details are available in the RFQ
Submission
Tender submission deadline
17 August 2026, 09:00AM
Enquiry deadline
10 August 2026, 14:00PM
Submission address and any special instructions
To apply for this opportunity you must submit your quotation meeting the requirements detailed in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) attached.Your response must be sent to monitoring.innovation@naturalengland.org.uk by 9:00 on 17/8/26If you have any clarification questions linked to this opportunity or the procurement process please submit these via email to monitoring.innovation@naturalengland.org.uk. Please note that, unless commercially sensitive, both the question and the response will be circulated to all tenderers.
May tenders be submitted electronically?
No
Documents
Document type
Bidding documents
Description
Commercial Response Template
Document type
Bidding documents
Document type
Bidding documents
Coding
Commodity categories
| ID |
Title
|
Parent category
|
| 80540000 |
Environmental training services |
Training services |
| 73000000 |
Research and development services and related consultancy services |
Research and Development |
Delivery locations
| ID |
Description
|
| 100 |
UK - All |
Alert region restrictions
The buyer has restricted the alert for this notice to suppliers based in the following regions.
| ID |
Description
|
|
There are no alert restrictions for this notice.
|
About the buyer
- Main contact:
- N/a
- Admin contact:
- N/a
- Technical contact:
- N/a
- Other contact:
- N/a
Further information
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Date
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Details
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No further information has been uploaded.
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