Published date: 27 July 2023

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.


Closing: 28 August 2023, 6pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Marine research services - 73112000

Location of contract

United Kingdom

Value of contract

£30,000 to £50,000

Procurement reference

NMBAQC_OM_2023

Published date

27 July 2023

Closing date

28 August 2023

Closing time

6pm

Contract start date

1 September 2023

Contract end date

31 August 2027

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Competitive quotation (below threshold)

The buyer selects a group of potential suppliers to invite to tender.

This procedure can be used for procurements below the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

"The North-East Atlantic Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control (NMBAQC) scheme aims to enhance quality control in marine biological monitoring.

The contract is required for the running of the NMBAQC Opportunistic Macroalgae percentage cover (OMC) and biomass (OMB) ring tests as part of the ongoing requirements of the NMBAQC scheme in developing and delivering quality assurance and analytical quality control protocols for marine ecological monitoring requirements. The contract will run for 4 years (initial 2 years with 2 x 1 year extensions subject to supplier performance) from September 2023.

The percentage cover ring test (OMC) allows comparison of participants' assessments between labs and between individuals. It tests participants' ability to assess the presence and density of algae and seagrass. Annual reports providing the results of the OMC ring test will be required.

The biomass ring test (OMB) allows comparison of participants' assessments between labs. It is designed to assess participants' efficiency and accuracy in processing algal biomass samples and to highlight areas of difference among participants or laboratories. It also looks at any differences between the quadrat assessment methods used to ensure these are comparable and consistent across labs and participants. Annual reports providing the results of the OMB ring test will be required.

The exercises may be used by participants either as a performance indicator or as a training exercise."

More information

Attachments

Additional text

"To apply for this opportunity, please submit your quotation meeting the requirements detailed in the attached Request for Quotation (RFQ) document.
Please send your response to graham.phillips@environment-agency.gov.uk by 18:00 BST on Monday 28th August 2023.

If you have any clarification questions linked to this opportunity please submit these via email to graham.phillips@environment-agency.gov.uk by 18:00 BST on Monday 14th August 2023. Please note that, unless commercially sensitive, both the question and the response will be circulated to all tenderers."

About the buyer

Contact name

Graham Phillips

Address

Rivers House, Lower Bristol Road
Bath
BA2 9ES
England

Email

graham.phillips@environment-agency.gov.uk