Published date: 8 May 2018

This notice was replaced on 3 September 2018

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 3 September 2018)

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£0

Procurement reference

tender_168860/667083

Published date

8 May 2018

Closing date

8 June 2018

Contract start date

9 July 2018

Contract end date

11 September 2020

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

The presence of microplastics in water and effects on fauna has led to concerns about ecological risk particularly in the marine environment. Existing water treatment processes provide an effective barrier to a wide range of particle sizes but is less effective in the micrometre range under which microplastics fall. Little is known about removal of microplastics in drinking water treatment. This project aims to help fill that gap and will include:
1) Review existing literature on occurrence of microplastics in water sources, drinking water, the relative importance of different sources of inputs to water and removal by drinking water processes.
2) Review the methods of analysis that have been used to determine microplastics in water.
3) Summarise existing knowledge on human exposure to microplastics through food, water and air and any associated risk assessments
4) Conduct bench scale experiments to determine the efficiency of removal of a different sizes and types of microplastics by a range of drinking water treatment processes.
5) Based on the findings of the bench study and other aspects, propose an approach to monitoring a small number of final waters for microplastics

A draft final report must be submitted to the Defra Project Officer within 24 months (two months prior to the end of the contract).

More information

Links

Additional text

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at http://defra.bravosolution.co.uk

About the buyer

Contact name

Defra Group Commercial

Address

17 Noble House
London
SW1P 3JR
England

Telephone

+44 2072386951

Email

Network.Procurement@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs