Search UK public tenders and contract notices
Official notices, one row per procedure. Filters use published facts only: delivery region from the notice, buyer type from the official classification, route and agreement type as published, never a Tenderline score.
Awards
Showing 43,701–43,750 · contract award notices: who won and for how much.
- AwardedBelow threshold - open competitionSME suitable
Borehole drilling for livestock water supply
NATURAL ENGLAND (Defra Network eTendering Portal) · Central government · Nationwide (UK)
Install a water powered solar bore hole, to provide water for livestock, works include drilling borehole installing pump to fill existing 10000l underground tank and to install a water trough.
Awarded to HUGHES EXPLORATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL LIMITED
- Awarded value
- £32k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #05dd23
- AwardedAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
CALL OFF ORDER FOR THE REFERALL OF MICROBIOLOGY TESTS
Integrated Laboratory Solutions LLP · Yorkshire and the Humber
** PSR DIRECT AWARD C INTENT TO AWARD NOTICE **- CALL OFF CONTRACT FOR MICROBIOLOGY TESTING INTENT TO AWARD TO AN EXISITING SUPPLIER.<br/>VALUE OF THE CONTRACT £90,000<br/>TO BE FOR THE PERIOD 01/04/2026 TO 31/03/2027.<br/>PROVISION OF REFE…
Awarded to micropathology Ltd
- Awarded value
- Not published
- Bids
- 1
- Contract ends
- Not published
- Published
- #065bb2
- AwardedBelow threshold - limited competition
AAU Ward Expansion
Isle of Wight NHS Trust · Central government · South East England
Construction services linked to the conversion of existing offices into clinical accommodation comprising of 7 additional beds within the existing Acute Assessment Unit at St Marys Hospital, Newport, Isle of Wight
Awarded to STONEHAM CONSTRUCTION LIMITED
- Awarded value
- £669k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065bb1
- AwardedBelow threshold - limited competition
RSFT Medrad Centargo
Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust · Central government · delivery region not published
Provision of Medrad Centrago - CT dual head - Below treshold via NHSSC framework
Awarded to Bayer Plc
- Awarded value
- £51k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065bb0
- AwardedBelow threshold - without competition
Household Clinical Waste Collection & Disposal
Plymouth City Council · Local authority · North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England
Continuation of specialised service to collect domestic clinical waste sharps and infectious bags from the residents of Plymouth
Awarded to PHS GROUP LIMITED
- Awarded value
- £110k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065bae
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
Tatton Park Mansion Carpets Replacement
Cheshire East Council · Local authority · North West England
Supply of two carpets for Events held at Tatton.
Awarded to Morris Jones Flooring
- Awarded value
- £30k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065bac
- AwardedBelow threshold - without competition
DDaT26129 - Node Servicing and Fix
UK Research and Innovation · Central government · Nationwide (UK)
***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded without competition as there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. UKRI had a requirement for a Node S…
Awarded to Trustmarque Solutions Limited
- Awarded value
- £10k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ends
- Published
- #065bab
- Awarded · Open procedure2 lotsSME suitable
City of London Housing - Water Testing & Risk Assessment Services _ Lot 2 BRE
The Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London · Local authority · Nationwide (UK), Greater London
The contracts for both Lots are for statutory water monitoring and testing at predominantly residential properties on the Social Housing Estates & the Barbican Residential Estate owned and managed by the City of London Corporation. The moni…
Awarded to TDK Mechanical Services (UK) Ltd · 2 awards
- Awarded value
- £535k–£995kacross 2 awards
- Bids
- 4
- Contract ends
- Published
- #052a4c
- AwardedAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Provision of Operation and Maintenance Services
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde · NHS & health · Scotland
The services to be provided consist of the operation, maintenance, and monitoring of the Biomass boiler at RAH by AMP Clean Energy. This includes all necessary technical support, routine servicing, emergency call-outs, and performance repor…
Awarded to AMP Clean Energy Ltd · 2 awards
- Awarded value
- £135k
- Bids
- 1
- Contract ends
- Not published
- Published
- #064e48
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
Fire Damper Replacement
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust · NHS & health · delivery region not published
Fire Damper Replacement - ID0123
Awarded to CITY BUILD MANCHESTER LTD
- Awarded value
- £10k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065ba7
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
Graduation - Rigging and Draping
University of East Anglia · Education · East of England
Rigging and Draping services for UEA graduation events 2026 and 2027.
Awarded to Outback Rigging Ltd
- Awarded value
- £187k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ends
- Published
- #065ba4
- Awarded · Open procedureSME suitable
Housing Solutions - Supply and installation of Kitchens and Bathrooms
Housing Solutions · Housing · South East England
Scope and delivery of the work The work consists of replacement kitchens and bathrooms. A local and professional contractor has been sought to supply and fit these consistent with the specification attached and in the case of kitchen replac…
Awarded to Kincraig Construction Limited
- Awarded value
- £5.2m
- Bids
- 10
- Contract ends
- Published
- #055d42
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
Tree Translocation for Armada Way
Plymouth City Council · Local authority · North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England
The translocation and replanting of 1 x silver maple and crown lift of Tree of Heaven, consisting of: 1) Tree work - Site preparation around based of tree, Crown reduction reshape T0125 , Crown lift T008 Tree of Heaven 2) Translocation of T…
Awarded to Glendale Countryside Limited
- Awarded value
- £30k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065ba2
- Awarded · Direct awardSME suitable
ID 6338418 - DAC 01/26 - DfC - HED - 8x2 Cheese Wedge Crane Mounted Lorry for Conservation Works Team
Department for Communities · Central government · delivery region not published
The Department for Communities (DfC), Historic Environment Division (HED) has a requirement for a Crane Lorry to transport staff, vehicles and materials to work sites across N. Ireland to carry out work required throughout HEDs business nee…
Awarded to MAC'S TRUCK SALES LIMITED
- Awarded value
- £310k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ends
- Published
- #064c02
- AwardedBelow threshold - without competition
MDCG – Stroke Unit – Patient Hoists
United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust · Central government · delivery region not published
Purchase of x4 MaxMove 5 patient hoists via a below-threshold direct award from Arjo Huntleigh UK Ltd. MaxMove 5 not yet available on NHSSC Pressure Area Care and Patient Handling Including Beds and Associated Products, Rental and Decontami…
Awarded to Arjo Huntleigh
- Awarded value
- £24k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065ba1
- Awarded · Open procedure3 lotsSME · VCSE suitable
Collection and Recycling of Building and Construction Waste
Bath & North East Somerset Council · Local authority · South West England
The Council wishes to establish a /Contract for the receipt and treatment of Building and Construction Waste deposited by residents at its Household Waste and Recycling Centres in Keynsham, Bath, Radstock and commercial transfer station in …
Awarded to Avon Material Supplies Ltd, Smith's (Gloucester) Limited · 3 awards
- Awarded value
- £153k–£179kacross 2 awards
- Bids
- 4
- Contract ends
- Published
- #05a4b8
- Awarded · Open procedure20 lotsSME · VCSE suitable
Void Support Contract - Routine and Capital Investment
Beyond Housing Limited · Charity · North East England, Yorkshire and the Humber
Void Support contract for Beyond Housing 2026 2-23. The intention is to appoint 3 subcontractors to each lot. Lots are split on a geographical basis. Bidders may bid on any singular lot or both lots Either Lot 1 or 10 is MANDATORY depending…
Awarded to Buston &Maughan Ltd, G V DECORATORS LIMITED, GANNON DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED +5 more · 8 awards
- Awarded value
- £12k–£5.0macross 8 awards
- Bids
- 10per lot, 20 lots
- Contract ends
- Published
- #051cf4
- AwardedAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
The Provision of Orthopaedics Services
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust · NHS & health · North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England
The Provision of Orthopaedic Services for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust communities.
Awarded to Calderdale and Huddersfield Orthopaedic Partnership (CHOP) LLP
- Awarded value
- Not published
- Bids
- 1
- Contract ends
- Not published
- Published
- #05029b
- AwardedBelow threshold - without competition
UKRI-5847 BMS Optimisation
UK Research and Innovation · Central government · Greater London
The Medical Research Council (MRC) have appointed a supplier to undertake a series of energy use optimisation interventions on the building management system at one of their sites.
Awarded to Powell System Engineering Ltd
- Awarded value
- £48k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b9f
- Awarded · Open procedureLight-touchSME · VCSE suitable
Provision of Single Homelessness Short Term Supported Accommodation Service
Halton Borough Council · Local authority · North West England
Halton Borough Council is looking to commission a Short-term Supported Accommodation service for Single Homeless people. The Service will accommodate and support single homeless persons who have housing support needs, aged 18 years and over…
Awarded to Liverpool YMCA
- Awarded value
- £3.1m
- Bids
- 4
- Contract ends
- Published
- #058a93
- AwardedBelow threshold - open competitionFramework
Measuring Nature's Comeback: KPI Framework for Sherwood Forest and Mercia Mudwoods
NATURAL ENGLAND (Defra Network eTendering Portal) · Central government · East Midlands
Generating KPIs for one of Natural England's Priority Places, the Sherwood Forest and Mercia Mudwoods. KPIs should be applicable to the Priority Place vision and usable for the partnerships in the area. The second part of the brief is to re…
Awarded to Middlemarch Environmental Ltd
- Awarded value
- £8kceiling, not a contract size
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #060687
- Awarded · Open procedureFrameworkSME suitable
Party Wall Surveying Services 2025 - 2029
Gentoo Group Limited · North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England
As part of their commitment to maintain their housing stock, Gentoo Group currently has a roofing Framework in place in which a Principal Provider is responsible for re-roofing Gentoo properties in various locations throughout Sunderland, H…
Awarded to BUILDING SURVEYORS LIMITED, Capita Business Services Ltd, STORM TEMPEST LIMITED
- Awarded value
- £400kceiling, not a contract size
- Bids
- 11
- Contract ends
- Published
- #050977
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
CSP26253 - Training Course
UK Research and Innovation · Central government · Nationwide (UK)
***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded without competition due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, servi…
Awarded to Edinburgh Innovations Limited
- Awarded value
- £21k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b9e
- AwardedBelow threshold - without competition
Your Bus Journey 2026-2028
Staffordshire County Council · Local authority · West Midlands
Staffordshire's participation in Transport Focus Bus Stop Survey to assist with BSIP delivery and future direction of bus strategy. Conduct the 2026 - 2028 Your Bus Journey (YBJ) surveys within the Participating Organisation's area to achie…
Awarded to Transport Focus
- Awarded value
- £167k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ends
- Published
- #065b9d
- AwardedBelow threshold - open competitionSME suitable
Purchase of C1800CH Super- heavy duty flail collector
NATURAL ENGLAND (Defra Network eTendering Portal) · Central government · East of England
Natural England's Brecks NNR Team require the supply and delivery of a Ryetec C1800CH Super, heavy duty flail collector.
Awarded to Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd
- Awarded value
- £18k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #060a88
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
CSP26077 - Large format 3d printer
UK Research and Innovation · Central government · Nationwide (UK)
***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded following a limited competition procurement exercise, the chosen supplier was chosen based on price and options.
Awarded to EVO 3D LTD
- Awarded value
- £20k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b9c
- AwardedBelow threshold - without competition
CSP26084 - Power link assembly production
UK Research and Innovation · Central government · Nationwide (UK)
***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded without competition due to an absence of competition, this is due to the the type of order it is and the time in which it would be…
Awarded to Tekdata Interconnections Ltd
- Awarded value
- £14k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b9b
- AwardedBelow threshold - limited competition
Club Refurbishment Works for British Consulate General Istanbul
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office · Central government · delivery region not published
The project involves refurbishment works to an existing facility (Phoenix clubhouse), including upgrades to civil structures, foundations, etc. The scope covers essential repairs and improvements to enhance safety, functionality, and compli…
Awarded to Muge Krespi
- Awarded value
- £60k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b98
- AwardedBelow threshold - limited competition
Fire Alarm Upgrade for the British Embassy Berlin
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office · Central government · delivery region not published
After a fire risk assessment it was concluded that an upgrade of fire alarm system is needed at the Residence.
Awarded to NEISS GMBH
- Awarded value
- £70k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b97
- AwardedDirect award
Private Medical Insurance (PMI)
Orbit Group Limited · North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England
Provision of Private Medical Insurance (PMI) for staff which forms part of our employee benefits obligations to Orbit colleagues who opt in for the benefit.
Awarded to AVIVA INSURANCE LIMITED · 2 awards
- Awarded value
- £781k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ends
- Published
- #05eb5c
- Awarded · Below threshold - open competitionSME suitable
Enterprise Architecture Tooling
UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD(THE) · Charity · North West England
Award notice for the provision of an Enterprise Architecture Tool to the University of Salford for a 24-month period commencing 27 February 2026.
Awarded to Avolution Software
- Awarded value
- £132k
- Bids
- 5
- Contract ends
- Published
- #064c3e
- Awarded · Open procedure4 lotsSME · VCSE suitable
PS25128: UKSAC25_0044 - Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) 2025-26 Studies
UK Space Agency · Central government · Nationwide (UK)
The final date and time for the submission of bids is Monday 11th August 2025 at 14:00hrs DO NOT apply directly to the buyer. All tender information MUST be submitted through the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal. Brief Description of Requirement Th…
Awarded to Aerospace Corporation UK Limited, Brunel University of London, Digantara Research and Technologies Private Limited +4 more · 4 awards
- Awarded value
- £23k–£50kacross 4 awards
- Bids
- 1–6per lot, 4 lots
- Contract ended
- Published
- #052741
- AwardedBelow threshold - award under framework
Electricity & Utilities Support Services – Overhead & Underground 2025 (Lot 1: North Wales)
Natural Resources Wales · Nationwide (UK)
Call-off under Electricity & Underground Utilities Support Services Framework 2025
Electricity & Utilities Support Services – Overhead & Underground 2025 (Lot 1: North Wales) Overhead powerlines framework Lot 1a. For the period from 01/04/2026 – 31/03/2027. In respect of work carried out on Overhead Powerlines for North W…
Awarded to Jones and Jones Contractors
- Awarded value
- £60k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ends
- Published
- #065b96
- AwardedOpen procedure7 lots
Mandatory Dental Services (MDS) on the Isle of Wight, Bognor and Littlehampton - MDS 6B1
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board · NHS & health · South East England
NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight (HIOW) Integrated Care Board (ICB) and NHS Sussex ICB sought providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver to commission Mandatory Dental Services (MDS) on the Isle of Wight, in Bognor and Littleh…
Awarded to 1OSD Limited, Dentalwell Ltd · 4 awards
- Awarded value
- £6.4m–£6.8macross 4 awards
- Bids
- 3–8per lot, 3 lots
- Contract ends
- Not published
- Published
- #055ab9
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
ITQ-0004 Cesspit Waste Collection at Fort Nelson
Royal Armouries Museum · Central government · delivery region not published
Contract Value: £65,000 excluding VAT. (VAT exempt) Scheduled weekly collections of 3,000 gallons of cesspit waste from Royal Armouries Fort Nelson, and the ensuring of the safe, legal disposal of said waste.
Awarded to RMS Waste Limited
- Awarded value
- £65k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ends
- Published
- #065b93
- AwardedCompetitive dialogueFramework
Lower Thames Crossing - Low Carbon Hydrogen
National Highways Limited · Central government · Nationwide (UK), North East England, East of England, Greater London, South East England, South West England
National Highways is the government company charged with operating, maintaining and improving England's strategic road networks. The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is a National Highways project that will build a new road connecting Kent, Thur…
Awarded to GeoPura Ltd
- Awarded value
- £33mceiling, not a contract size
- Bids
- 3
- Contract ends
- Not published
- Published
- #03d447
- AwardedBelow threshold - without competition
Annual provision of a trainee educational psychologist in year 2 or 3
London Borough of Enfield · Local authority · Greater London
Annual provision of a bursary for trainee educational psychologists in year 2 or 3 of their training.
Awarded to University of East Anglia
- Awarded value
- £54k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ends
- Published
- #065b8d
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
2026 Landfill Research Survey
NPL Management Limited · Nationwide (UK)
The procurement covers a methane emissions research survey across two landfill sites. Explicit ApS will undertake aerial methane measurements using their accredited Drone Flux Measurement (DFM) method. The work includes site‑level quantific…
Awarded to Explicit ApS
- Awarded value
- DKK 275,772
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b8c
- AwardedOpen procedure
www.gov.uk/dfe
Department for Education · Central government · Nationwide (UK)
This contract is issued under the DPS Contract with the reference number RM6322 for the provision of the Turing Scheme Year 6 Assessment Service.
Awarded to Association of Commonwealth Universities
- Awarded value
- £469k
- Bids
- 3
- Contract ends
- Not published
- Published
- #065b8a
- AwardedBelow threshold - limited competition
High Performance Mixer CPU Purchase
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust · Central government · delivery region not published
Purchase of High Performing Mixer for Catering Department.
Awarded to Steel City Ltd
- Awarded value
- £16k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ends
- Published
- #065b88
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
Supply of DESI XS High‑Performance Source and Associated Components
NPL Management Limited · Nationwide (UK)
This procurement covers the supply of a high‑performance DESI (Desorption Electrospray Ionisation) XS source and related hardware, installation certification, and capability kits.
Awarded to Waters Ltd
- Awarded value
- £95k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b87
- AwardedAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Outcome from the invitation to submit bids for Priorities of the Learning Disability and Autism Transformation Group
Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust · NHS & health · West Midlands
Invitation to submit bids for funding relating to the priorities of the Learning Disability and Autism Transformation Group
Awarded to Autism West Midlands, BFB Labs Ltd, BIRMINGHAM DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE +7 more · 10 awards
- Awarded value
- £12k–£176kacross 10 awards
- Bids
- 10
- Contract ends
- Not published
- Published
- #0652e8
- AwardedBelow threshold - without competition
To replace obsolete and unsupported BMS controls to 5 sites across the trust
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust · Central government · delivery region not published
To replace obsolete and unsupported BMS controls to 5 sites across the trust to give assurance of efficient control and plant availability
Awarded to JBC Control Systems Ltd
- Awarded value
- £96k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b86
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
OH consultations and reports
NPL Management Limited · Nationwide (UK)
Occupational Health referrals and reports
Awarded to BHSF Occupational Health Limited
- Awarded value
- £25k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b83
- AwardedBelow threshold - unknown
CSP26251- replacement body for EVOS microscope
UK Research and Innovation · Central government · Nationwide (UK)
****THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION**** This procurement is being concluded without competition due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods services o…
Awarded to Life Technologies Ltd
- Awarded value
- £15k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b81
- AwardedBelow threshold - without competition
CSP26250- Safety Gas Detection
UK Research and Innovation · Central government · Nationwide (UK)
**** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION**** This procurement is being concluded without competition due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, or works…
Awarded to Safety Gas Detection Ltd
- Awarded value
- £12k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b7f
- AwardedAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
BSL NHS Talking Therapies
Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust · NHS & health · West Midlands
Provision of British Sign Language NHS Talking Therapies for deaf patients registered with Birmingham and Solihull GPs.
Awarded to SignHealth London
- Awarded value
- £43k
- Bids
- 1
- Contract ends
- Not published
- Published
- #065b7e
- AwardedAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Infrastructure Rewiring - Gillespie Crescent, Edinburgh
Viewpoint Housing Association · Housing · Scotland
Rewire of infrastructure for warden call system at Gillespie Crescent.
Awarded to SPG Fire & Security Limited
- Awarded value
- £78k
- Bids
- 1
- Contract ends
- Not published
- Published
- #065b7d
- AwardedAward procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
25-26 Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust and Surrey Heartlands ICB Contract - Acute Services
NHS Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board · NHS & health · South East England
The provider is an NHS Foundation Trust, providing acute health care services including, but not limited to, Commissioner Requested Services (CRS) and specialised services. The provider is the only provider capable of delivering the service…
Awarded to Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust · 2 awards
- Awarded value
- £545m–£545macross 2 awards
- Bids
- 1
- Contract ends
- Not published
- Published
- #065aa6
- AwardedBelow threshold - limited competition
R0956 - School Transport - Request for Quotation - Out of County - 4 Seats
The North Yorkshire Council · Local authority · Yorkshire and the Humber
School transport for contract R0956, Great Broughton to Hambleton & Richmondshire PRS, 4 seats, January 2026 to July 2026
Awarded to Pebbles Cars Limited
- Awarded value
- £59k
- Bids
- Not published
- Contract ended
- Published
- #065b7b