Find a TenderOpen for tender Tender notice
Published 23 Mar 2026, 17:04 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Ground Care, Agricultural and Plant Equipment for Defra Group Fleet Services

Authority: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY (Public body)·On behalf of: DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

4 lotsGoodsCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdSME suitableVCSE suitable
Published estimate£69,876,145envelope for 4 lots · £83,851,374 inc. VAT · 2 value updates
Submission deadline 22 Oct 202612:00 BST · 2d 7h left
Clarification cut-off 10 Sept 202612:00 BST · questions to the authority
Contract term 4 yrsends 28 Feb 2031 · up to 28 Feb 2033 with extensions · starts 1 Mar 2027

What is being bought4 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Defra Group Fleet Services requires modern, sustainable, and optimised ground care, agricultural and plant equipment to support operational delivery across the group.

The purpose of this project is to establish long-term, Defra group-wide contract(s) for the supply of ground care, agricultural and plant equipment, led by the Environment Agency (as the main customer), with access available for the whole group. The contract(s) will provide a consistent, streamlined, and effective approach to sourcing ground care, agricultural and plant assets, ensuring operational readiness across Defra group sites.

The procurement is split into 4 lots. The Authority is committed to supporting SME participation. Regional lotting was considered during procurement design but was not adopted due to operational, commercial and contract management considerations. Bidders may bid as a consortium and subcontracting arrangements are permitted. Regional suppliers are encouraged to collaborate where appropriate to deliver the requirement.

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 26 Jul 2032, 23:59 BST.
  • How the procedure runs: This Competitive Flexible Procedure will not use a down-select stage but will use a supplementary process of Best and Final Offer (BAFO). Following the evaluation of both the technical questions and pricing schedule, the Authority reserves the right to reissue any or all of the technical evaluation questions and/or pricing schedule to the two highest scoring bidders (or any other bidders that have scored within 3% of the highest scoring bidder) on each lot. Written feedback will be provided to these bidders and then they will have the opportunity to review any reissued evaluation questions to improve their bids. Bidders will be informed which elements they are able to revise to improve their bids. Please note that all invited bidders will be reviewing the same elements. Bidders will have 10 calendar days to review, revise and resubmit their bid via Atamis. The clarification period will also be reopened and run for 5 calendar days. The same scoring mechanisms as originally published will apply unless otherwise communicated by the Authority. The scores from this stage will replace any from the earlier Evaluation Stage(s). Please note that all bidders will be invited to submit improved responses on the same items. Bidders will have 10 calendar days to review, revise and resubmit their bid via Atamis. There will be a period of 5 calendar days for clarification questions. The exact dates of these periods and deadlines for submission will be shared with the relevant bidders. Following the overall evaluation, if there is more than one bidder with the same highest overall score, the Authority reserves the right to award to a bidder following the below Tie-break process. Where a bidder gained a higher commercial score than the other bidders, that bidder will be awarded the contract. There will be a discretionary Preferred Supplier Stage with the bidder who has submitted the most advantageous tender for a lot. This will be used to clarify and confirm commitments made in the tender and address any weaknesses in the submission. Please note that any modifications will not result in increased prices as this stage must not have the effect of altering the award outcome. This stage will consist of a meeting on Microsoft Teams of about an hour between the bidder’s and the Authority’s representatives. Bidders will be limited to two representatives for the meeting, and one must be the Supplier Contract Manager. The stage will be conducted in an auditable and transparent manner. The Authority reserves the right not to conduct this stage for each lot if it feels that the discussions detailed above are not required. Bidders are to note that a condition of participation will be that bidders commit to completing the Modern Slavery Assessment Tool prior to contract award. The Authority will need to see a copy of the bidder’s report of recommendations before awarding the contract.

CPV: Boats · Buckets, shovels, grabs and grips for cranes or excavators · Mechanical excavators · Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders, and mining machinery · Mowers · Specialised boats · Specialist agricultural or forestry machinery · Tractors · Trailers

Lots and requirements (4)Procurement structure

4 lots · all with a published value (£69,876,145 together) · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lot
Lot #1Plant and Towable PlantRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£4,393,468

General purpose trailers, plant trailers, tipper trailers, box trailers, trailers up to 3.5 tonnes, water bowsers, pressure washers, mobile lighting towers, generators, messing units, welfare units, aerators/oxygenators, fuel bowsers and compressors.

Contract period: 1 Mar 2027 – 28 Feb 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 28 Feb 2033 with extensionsValue: £4,393,468 exc. VAT · £5,272,162 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligibleTurnover guideline: ~£2,195,230/yr≈ 2× annual value
Extensions: A 2-year extension will be used where the contract continues to meet DGFS' requirements and represents value for money.
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    Tenderers are to note that a condition of participation will be that tenderers commit to completing the Modern Slavery Assessment Tool prior to contract award. The Authority will need to see a copy of the tenderer’s report of recommendations before awarding the contract.

Who is likely to bid for this lot ↓

Lot #2Agricultural EquipmentRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£39,057,686

Pedestrian flail mowers, all-terrain mowers, robotic frail mowers, remote-controlled mowers, remote-controlled flail mowers, quad bikes, woodchippers, tractors, reach mowers, ride-on and ride-in mowers and tractor winches.

Contract period: 1 Mar 2027 – 28 Feb 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 28 Feb 2033 with extensionsValue: £39,057,686 exc. VAT · £46,869,223 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligibleTurnover guideline: ~£19,515,476/yr≈ 2× annual value
Extensions: A 2-year extension will be used where the contract continues to meet DGFS' requirements and represents value for money.
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    Tenderers are to note that a condition of participation will be that tenderers commit to completing the Modern Slavery Assessment Tool prior to contract award. The Authority will need to see a copy of the tenderer’s report of recommendations before awarding the contract.

Who is likely to bid for this lot ↓

Lot #3Heavy PlantRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£13,558,516

Tracked dumpers, telehandlers, excavators, mini excavators, compact excavators, 11.5 tonne excavators, 12 to 18 tonne excavators and over 18 tonne excavators.

Contract period: 1 Mar 2027 – 28 Feb 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 28 Feb 2033 with extensionsValue: £13,558,516 exc. VAT · £16,270,219 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligibleTurnover guideline: ~£6,774,618/yr≈ 2× annual value
Extensions: A 2-year extension will be used where the contract continues to meet DGFS' requirements and represents value for money.
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    Tenderers are to note that a condition of participation will be that tenderers commit to completing the Modern Slavery Assessment Tool prior to contract award. The Authority will need to see a copy of the tenderer’s report of recommendations before awarding the contract.

Who is likely to bid for this lot ↓

Lot #4Aquatic PlantRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£12,866,475

Weed harvesters and weed boat track and paddles.

Contract period: 1 Mar 2027 – 28 Feb 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 28 Feb 2033 with extensionsValue: £12,866,475 exc. VAT · £15,439,770 inc. VAT
Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligibleTurnover guideline: ~£6,428,834/yr≈ 2× annual value
Extensions: A 2-year extension will be used where the contract continues to meet DGFS' requirements and represents value for money.
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1
  • Technical & professional ability

    Tenderers are to note that a condition of participation will be that tenderers commit to completing the Modern Slavery Assessment Tool prior to contract award. The Authority will need to see a copy of the tenderer’s report of recommendations before awarding the contract.

Who is likely to bid for this lot ↓

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids are scored · same split on all 4 lots
Quality: 30%Price: 50%Environmental: 20%
Published sub-criteria (3)
  • Technical: 30%
  • Commercial: 50%
  • Sustainability: 20%
Published award criteria (3)
  • Technical
  • Sustainability
  • Commercial
Lot distribution rule: There are no limits to the number of lots in which any one bidder can be awarded a contract and if a bidder is successful in more than one lot, the Authority may enter into a single contract for all lots awarded to that bidder.
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot1
  • Technical & professional ability

    Tenderers are to note that a condition of participation will be that tenderers commit to completing the Modern Slavery Assessment Tool prior to contract award. The Authority will need to see a copy of the tenderer’s report of recommendations before awarding the contract.

What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 50 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 5 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
  • Turnover usually expected: about £2,195,230 – ~£19,515,476 per lot (twice each lot's annual value).

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula. Turnover is an indicative market norm (≈2× annual value), not a published condition.

Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid

How ENVIRONMENT AGENCY buys Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders, and mining machinery (CPV 4326), and who usually turns up

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY’s own published record, next to the published market for the same work. Frameworks and DPS are kept out: they attract a different number of bids. Whole-market view: Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders, and mining machinery (CPV 4326) →

1

How the contest usually goes

Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.

Question for the bid
This buyerENVIRONMENT AGENCY · all categories
What to do with it
How often do SMEs win?
i

How often small and medium firms win.

Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.

The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.

Last 36 months.

Buyer: 32 of 106 known-size awards · market: CPV 4326 · UK-wide, n=8
30%63%

Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.

How often do local suppliers win?
i

How often local firms win similar work.

Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.

Here, local means the winner is registered in the region where that contract was delivered.

A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.

Last 36 months.

Buyer: 14 of 26 known-location awards · market: CPV 4326 · UK-wide, n=9
54%33%

Most of this buyer’s recorded winners are registered in Greater London.

How long to a decision?
i

How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.

Middle value in days from the deadline to the first award notice, on competitions that published both dates.

Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.

Last 36 months.

Buyer: 20 decided notices · market: division 43 · UK-wide, n=21
42 days38 days

Half of these awards were announced within 42 days of the bid deadline.

How often single-bid or direct?
i

How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.

Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.

Both shares are minimums: some awards have no bid count.

Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.

Last 36 months.

Buyer: at least 73 of 147 procurements with awards had no recorded rival · market: CPV 4326 · UK-wide, n=9
50%33%

Direct awards or one recorded bid are common here. Check the route before spending time on a bid.

How many bids did past lots attract?

i

How many bids past lots received.

Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.

Past bids do not predict this tender.

Last 36 months.

This buyer33 lots with bid counts · all categories
15% had one bid
The market55 lots with bid counts · division 43 · UK-wide
9% had one bid
Buyer / market · select a colour for counts
1 bid15% / 9%
Buyer: 5 of 33 lots with published bid counts. Market: 5 of 55 lots with published bid counts.
2–358% / 33%
Buyer: 19 of 33 lots with published bid counts. Market: 18 of 55 lots with published bid counts.
4–627% / 38%
Buyer: 9 of 33 lots with published bid counts. Market: 21 of 55 lots with published bid counts.
7+0% / 20%
Buyer: 0 of 33 lots with published bid counts. Market: 11 of 55 lots with published bid counts.

How did awards compare with estimates?

i

Where winning prices landed against estimates.

Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.

Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.

Last 36 months.

This buyer12 lots with estimate and award · all categories
67% below estimate
The market34 lots with estimate and award · division 43 · UK-wide
32% below estimate
Buyer / market · select a colour for counts
Below estimate67% / 32%
Buyer: 8 of 12 lots with an estimate and award. Market: 11 of 34 lots with an estimate and award.
Within ±2%25% / 35%
Buyer: 3 of 12 lots with an estimate and award. Market: 12 of 34 lots with an estimate and award.
Above estimate8% / 32%
Buyer: 1 of 12 lots with an estimate and award. Market: 11 of 34 lots with an estimate and award.
2

Assess each lot
i

What past awards tell you about each lot.

See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.

No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.

Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list

Lot #1Plant and Towable PlantCPV 4326210048 monthsSME suitablePublished estimate£4.4m
Expected competition
i

How many bids this lot may attract.

The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.

Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.

A forecast, not a list of bidders.

4expected bids7% single-bid risk
forecast from 6 past contests
Forecast chances for this lot
1 bid7%
Chance this lot gets 1 bid: 7%. This is a forecast.
2–363%
Chance this lot gets 2–3: 63%. This is a forecast.
4–628%
Chance this lot gets 4–6: 28%. This is a forecast.
7+2%
Chance this lot gets 7+: 2%. This is a forecast.
Commercial price forecast
i

Where the award price may land.

The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.

Based on 5 comparable awards. Each lot reflects its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.

A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.

£4.4mLevel with estimate
5 comparable awards
Forecast compared with the buyer’s estimate
Middle 50%£3.8m–£4.4m
Half of likely prices fall between £3,776,826 and £4,393,468.
Estimate£4.4m
The buyer published an estimate of £4,393,468 for this lot.
A 26% chance the award lands exactly on the estimate.

Who has supplied this buyer on similar work?
i

Who has done similar work for this buyer.

Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.

A past supplier may not bid again.

No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.

Who could compete for this lot?
i

Who could compete for this lot?

Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.

None is confirmed as a bidder.

SupplierWon in this categoryLive contractsAward vs estimate
£149k4 awards in 36m · last 5 months ago3 live · £149k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

2% below n=3
1 panel places
£50k2 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago1 live · £50k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

at estimate n=1
1 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago1 live · £25k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

no comparable pairs
£408k11 awards in 36m · last 17 months agoNone on fileat estimate n=3
1 panel places
5 awards in 36m · last 15 months agoNone on fileat estimate n=4
Lot #2Agricultural EquipmentCPV 4326210048 monthsSME suitablePublished estimate£39m
Expected competition
i

How many bids this lot may attract.

The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.

Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.

A forecast, not a list of bidders.

4expected bids8% single-bid risk
forecast from 6 past contests
Forecast chances for this lot
1 bid8%
Chance this lot gets 1 bid: 8%. This is a forecast.
2–354%
Chance this lot gets 2–3: 54%. This is a forecast.
4–635%
Chance this lot gets 4–6: 35%. This is a forecast.
7+2%
Chance this lot gets 7+: 2%. This is a forecast.
Commercial price forecast
i

Where the award price may land.

The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.

Based on 5 comparable awards. Each lot reflects its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.

A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.

£39mLevel with estimate
5 comparable awards
Forecast compared with the buyer’s estimate
Middle 50%£32m–£39m
Half of likely prices fall between £32,305,462 and £39,057,686.
Estimate£39m
The buyer published an estimate of £39,057,686 for this lot.
A 24% chance the award lands exactly on the estimate.

Who has supplied this buyer on similar work?
i

Who has done similar work for this buyer.

Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.

A past supplier may not bid again.

No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.

Who could compete for this lot?
i

Who could compete for this lot?

Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.

None is confirmed as a bidder.

SupplierWon in this categoryLive contractsAward vs estimate
£149k4 awards in 36m · last 5 months ago3 live · £149k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

2% below n=3
2 panel places
£507k6 awards in 36m · last 9 months ago2 live · £193k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

9% above n=4
£408k11 awards in 36m · last 17 months agoNone on fileat estimate n=3
£287k6 awards in 36m · last 17 months agoNone on fileat estimate n=6
1 panel places
2 awards in 36m · last 9 months ago2 live · £199k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

no comparable pairs
Lot #3Heavy PlantCPV 4326210048 monthsSME suitablePublished estimate£14m
Expected competition
i

How many bids this lot may attract.

The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.

Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.

A forecast, not a list of bidders.

4expected bids8% single-bid risk
forecast from 6 past contests
Forecast chances for this lot
1 bid8%
Chance this lot gets 1 bid: 8%. This is a forecast.
2–349%
Chance this lot gets 2–3: 49%. This is a forecast.
4–640%
Chance this lot gets 4–6: 40%. This is a forecast.
7+3%
Chance this lot gets 7+: 3%. This is a forecast.
Commercial price forecast
i

Where the award price may land.

The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.

Based on 5 comparable awards. Each lot reflects its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.

A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.

£14mLevel with estimate
5 comparable awards
Forecast compared with the buyer’s estimate
Middle 50%£11m–£14m
Half of likely prices fall between £11,188,378 and £13,558,516.
Estimate£14m
The buyer published an estimate of £13,558,516 for this lot.
A 26% chance the award lands exactly on the estimate.

Who has supplied this buyer on similar work?
i

Who has done similar work for this buyer.

Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.

A past supplier may not bid again.

No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.

Who could compete for this lot?
i

Who could compete for this lot?

Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.

None is confirmed as a bidder.

SupplierWon in this categoryLive contractsAward vs estimate
2 panel places
£704k8 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago2 live · £514k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

16% above n=3
£149k4 awards in 36m · last 5 months ago3 live · £149k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

2% below n=3
1 panel places
£50k2 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago1 live · £50k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

at estimate n=1
£408k11 awards in 36m · last 17 months agoNone on fileat estimate n=3
£287k6 awards in 36m · last 28 months agoNone on file31% below n=4
Lot #4Aquatic PlantCPV 4326210048 monthsSME suitablePublished estimate£13m
Expected competition
i

How many bids this lot may attract.

The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.

Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.

A forecast, not a list of bidders.

4expected bids10% single-bid risk
forecast from 6 past contests
Forecast chances for this lot
1 bid10%
Chance this lot gets 1 bid: 10%. This is a forecast.
2–346%
Chance this lot gets 2–3: 46%. This is a forecast.
4–641%
Chance this lot gets 4–6: 41%. This is a forecast.
7+3%
Chance this lot gets 7+: 3%. This is a forecast.
Commercial price forecast
i

Where the award price may land.

The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.

Based on 5 comparable awards. Each lot reflects its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.

A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.

£13mLevel with estimate
5 comparable awards
Forecast compared with the buyer’s estimate
Middle 50%£11m–£13m
Half of likely prices fall between £10,617,311 and £12,866,475.
Estimate£13m
The buyer published an estimate of £12,866,475 for this lot.
A 26% chance the award lands exactly on the estimate.

Who has supplied this buyer on similar work?
i

Who has done similar work for this buyer.

Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.

A past supplier may not bid again.

No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.

Who could compete for this lot?
i

Who could compete for this lot?

Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.

None is confirmed as a bidder.

SupplierWon in this categoryLive contractsAward vs estimate
23 panel places
£16m35 awards in 36m · last 3 months ago4 live · £1.1m
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

at estimate n=4
11 panel places
£13m18 awards in 36m · last 7 months ago3 live · £177k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

41% below n=1
£149k4 awards in 36m · last 5 months ago3 live · £149k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

2% below n=3
1 panel places
£50k2 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago1 live · £50k
i

Public contracts this supplier still holds.

Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book.

Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity.

at estimate n=1
£408k11 awards in 36m · last 17 months agoNone on fileat estimate n=3
About this data
  • Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
  • Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
  • Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the match score are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
  • Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Goods
Notice status
Open for tender
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 26 Jul 2032
First published
23 Mar 2026, 17:04 GMT
Last source update
8 Sept 2026, 12:57 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 15 Feb 2027
Authority reference
C35105
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-079052
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
BoatsBuckets, shovels, grabs and grips for cranes or excavatorsMechanical excavatorsMechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders, and mining machineryMowersSpecialised boatsSpecialist agricultural or forestry machineryTractorsTrailers
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0671f4 Find a Tender
Contract terms summary

Payments will be made within 30 days for valid, undisputed invoices. All invoicing is to include

  • Purchase Order number
  • Invoice address
  • Detailed description

Payment is to be made following final delivery to site, completion of Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) checks and receipt of all relevant documentation and road registration.

How it runs

This Competitive Flexible Procedure will not use a down-select stage but will use a supplementary process of Best and Final Offer (BAFO). Following the evaluation of both the technical questions and pricing schedule, the Authority reserves the right to reissue any or all of the technical evaluation questions and/or pricing schedule to the two highest scoring bidders (or any other bidders that have scored within 3% of the highest scoring bidder) on each lot.

Written feedback will be provided to these bidders and then they will have the opportunity to review any reissued evaluation questions to improve their bids. Bidders will be informed which elements they are able to revise to improve their bids.

Please note that all invited bidders will be reviewing the same elements. Bidders will have 10 calendar days to review, revise and resubmit their bid via Atamis. The clarification period will also be reopened and run for 5 calendar days. The same scoring mechanisms as originally published will apply unless otherwise communicated by the Authority.

The scores from this stage will replace any from the earlier Evaluation Stage(s).

Please note that all bidders will be invited to submit improved responses on the same items. Bidders will have 10 calendar days to review, revise and resubmit their bid via Atamis. There will be a period of 5 calendar days for clarification questions. The exact dates of these periods and deadlines for submission will be shared with the relevant bidders.

Following the overall evaluation, if there is more than one bidder with the same highest overall score, the Authority reserves the right to award to a bidder following the below Tie-break process. Where a bidder gained a higher commercial score than the other bidders, that bidder will be awarded the contract.

There will be a discretionary Preferred Supplier Stage with the bidder who has submitted the most advantageous tender for a lot. This will be used to clarify and confirm commitments made in the tender and address any weaknesses in the submission. Please note that any modifications will not result in increased prices as this stage must not have the effect of altering the award outcome. This stage will consist of a meeting on Microsoft Teams of about an hour between the bidder’s and the Authority’s representatives. Bidders will be limited to two representatives for the meeting, and one must be the Supplier Contract Manager. The stage will be conducted in an auditable and transparent manner. The Authority reserves the right not to conduct this stage for each lot if it feels that the discussions detailed above are not required.

Bidders are to note that a condition of participation will be that bidders commit to completing the Modern Slavery Assessment Tool prior to contract award. The Authority will need to see a copy of the bidder’s report of recommendations before awarding the contract.

Review and risk notes
Risks

The following known unknown risks may result in future variations to the requirement:

  1. Risk Category: Geopolitical events and environmental events

Description: There is a reasonable likelihood that exposure to geopolitical shocks and environmental events may cause demand and prices to increase, meaning that the calculations used to estimate the contract value are no longer valid.

Impact on Contract:

  • Contract value to accommodate the higher costs and increased demand
  • Technical specifications of goods.
  • Compliance documentation and reporting processes.
  • Delivery timelines.

Modification Mechanism:

In accordance with Schedule 8, paragraph 5 of the Procurement Act 2023:

  • If these events materialise, the Authority may vary the contract to accommodate the higher prices and/or increased demand.
  • Any variation will be limited to what is strictly necessary and will not increase the estimated contract value by more than 50%.
  • A UK10 Contract Change Notice will be published to maintain transparency.
  1. Risk Category: Regulatory Changes

Description: There is a reasonable likelihood of changes to regulations during the contract term. As the Authority does not know what these changes could be, it is unable to address their potential impact at this stage.

Impact on Contract:

Such changes may require adjustments to:

  • Technical specifications of goods or services.
  • Compliance documentation and reporting processes.
  • Delivery timelines and associated costs.

Modification Mechanism:

In accordance with Schedule 8, paragraph 5 of the Procurement Act 2023:

  • If these regulatory changes materialise and are not caused by either party, the Authority may vary the contract to ensure compliance.
  • Any variation will be limited to what is strictly necessary to meet the new legal requirements and will not increase the estimated contract value by more than 50%.
  • A UK10 Contract Change Notice will be published to maintain transparency.
  1. Risk Category: Demand from Defra’s agencies and public bodies.

Description: There is a reasonable likelihood that Defra’s agencies and public bodies may wish to use this Contract, but not all their asset management plans were known at the time the estimated contract value was estimated.

Impact on Contract:

  • Contract value to accommodate the increased demand
  • Technical specifications of goods.
  • Compliance documentation and reporting processes.

Modification Mechanism:

In accordance with Schedule 8, paragraph 5 of the Procurement Act 2023:

  • If this increased demand from Defra’s agencies and public bodies materialises, the Authority may vary the contract to accommodate increased demand.
  • Any variation will be limited to what is strictly necessary and will not increase the estimated contract value by more than 50%.
  • A UK10 Contract Change Notice will be published to maintain transparency.

How to participate & submission route

Official notice Submit via Defra Group eSourcing
Submission portal named on this notice: Defra Group eSourcing
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free
Requests to participate (first stage)
—
Tender submission deadline
22 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
10 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome ↗

Any questions, requests to participate or tender submissions must be submitted electronically via this portal.

Timeline

23 Mar 2026 → 1 Mar 2027 · 9 dates
  1. Planning notice published210 days ago
    23 Mar 2026, 17:04 GMT
  2. Market engagement189 days ago
    13 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST

    The Engagement will be conducted in two parts:

    Part 1: Request for Information (RFI)

    So that the Authority can understand capability in the market and any factors that need to be considered in designing the procurement, please complete the Request for Information (RFI) using the following link:

    forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx ↗

    The form will be open for three weeks. The deadline for responding to this form is 12:00 Monday 13th April 2026.

    Part 2: Preliminary-Market Engagement Event (PME)

    The Environment Agency (Defra Group Fleet Services, DGFS), supported by Defra Group Commercial (DgC), is hosting a virtual PME event (via Microsoft Teams) on Thursday 16th April 2026 (16/04/26). Details to be confirmed.

    Please use the appropriate response box in the RFI form to sign up to this event if you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity.

    At the Authority's discretion, we may host individual meetings with suppliers following the initial PME event. This is expected to take place in the week commencing 20th April 2026, and would be for the Authority to gain more of an understanding of the market. If this is to take place, an invitation will be sent to suppliers following the preliminary market engagement event.

  3. Next notice expected97 days ago
    14 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
  4. Tender notice published62 days ago
    19 Aug 2026, 14:26 BST
  5. Latest notice published42 days ago
    8 Sept 2026, 12:57 BST
  6. Clarification questions by40 days ago
    10 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
  7. Today
    20 Oct 2026
  8. Submission deadlinein 2 days
    22 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
  9. Award decision expected byin 119 days
    15 Feb 2027, 23:59 GMT
  10. Contract startsin 132 days
    1 Mar 2027

Notice history

12 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 Mar 2026
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    23 Mar 2026, 17:04 GMT
    UK2
  2. Pipeline notice published
    4 Jun 2026, 17:22 BST
    UK1
  3. Published value updated to £69,000,000
    4 Jun 2026, 17:22 BST
    was £80,000,000
  4. Status changed to planned
    4 Jun 2026, 17:22 BST
  5. Tender notice published
    19 Aug 2026, 14:26 BST
    UK4
  6. Published value updated to £69,876,145
    19 Aug 2026, 14:26 BST
    was £69,000,000
  7. Status changed to active
    19 Aug 2026, 14:26 BST
  8. Procurement method changed
    19 Aug 2026, 14:26 BST
  9. Deadline published: 30 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
    19 Aug 2026, 14:26 BST
  10. Tender notice published
    19 Aug 2026, 14:30 BST
    UK4
  11. Tender notice published
    8 Sept 2026, 12:57 BST
    UK4
  12. Deadline moved to 22 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
    8 Sept 2026, 12:57 BST
    +22 days · was 30 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST
Published amendments (2)

Change of title

Amended submission deadline and estimated award decision date.

Routine re-releases (5)
  • 2026-06: 1 release · 4 Jun 2026
  • 2026-03: 1 release · 23 Mar 2026

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Nothing awarded yet
Awards (0)
No award published
Contracts (0)
No contract published
Bid statistics
No aggregate bid statistics published

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

2 public bodies on the notice

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PNWW-1475-NYLN Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street, London, London, SW1P 4DFContact name, email

Other public bodies

  • DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRSProcuring entityDefra Group Commercial (DgC) will be managing procurement on behalf of the Environment Agency (Defra Group Fleet Services).GB-PPON: PNBD-3289-CDGX London, LondonContact name, email

Official documents & specifications (5)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Pipeline notice planningPipeline noticeUK1Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
  • Preliminary market engagement notice planningPreliminary market engagement noticeUK2Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender