Official UK procurement notice
Strategic File Management System - Common Data Environment (CDE)
Authority: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY (Public body)·On behalf of: DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Digital Asset Data Information (DADI) programme is a digital programme of work within the overarching Asset Management Improvement Portfolio, with a whole life focus on how the Environment Agency as an owner-operator will digitally create, maintain and operate its asset estate in the future.
As part of the DADI programme, the Strategic File Management (SFM) project underpins the Agency’s ambition to be recognised as a world-class Asset Management (AM) organisation. The SFM goal is to deliver a solution for the management of the Environment Agency’s AM files which will be based on standardised and governed processes and include the supporting technological capability to carry out these processes. The desired solution will ensure that documentation relevant to an asset’s entire lifecycle is effectively managed and can be retrieved and accessed by a wide range of users in a number of formats.
The business objectives of this procurement are as follows:
- Implement a compliant, centralised file management system.
- Create a single source of truth supporting the entire asset lifecycle.
- Enable accurate, trusted Business Intelligence.
- Achieve ISO19650 and ISO55000 compliance.
- Improve file accessibility, storage, sharing, and user experience.
- Enhanced data governance and risk mitigation (e.g., reduced security and legal risks).
- Reduced inefficiencies, such as duplication and process waste.
- Ensure connectivity and interoperability with other Asset Management systems to support efficient sharing and consistency of asset information.
- Support carbon reduction and improved sustainability through streamlined practices.
- Provide the option for other Defra Group Bodies (www.gov.uk/government/organisat… ↗) and other UK "Paying Agencies" to utilise the contract.
The purpose of this notice is for DEFRA (on behalf of the EA) to make known that a Further Competition is being conducted via a Competitive Flexible procedure for Procurement of Enterprise Asset Management Common Data Environment (CDE).
Additional Information:
The budget for the initial term (five (5) years) is at a total of £3.7m (ex VAT) with the total contract value expected to be up to a total cost of £6.5m (ex VAT) during the overall maximum 10-year term (5+2+2+1), which includes the cost of implementation, delivery of the Service, and Exit and Transition. The contract value is an estimate only. The contract value estimate will be dependent upon whether an extension (in part or in whole) is enacted, whether any optional services (in part or in whole) are enacted, the extent of any contract changes, and the indices used to index prices.
Suppliers can access this by visiting defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome ↗ – this will require signing up to the Atamis system and following the instructions within the Portal.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 8 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST.
- How the procedure runs: This procurement is being conducted as a Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The Tender will be split into the following high-level stages: Stage One – Pre-Selection Stage. This will consist of the following sub-stages: • 1A: Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), including Conditions of Participation (CoP). • 1B: A Mini-Technical Envelope (Scored), which will be used to down-select suppliers. Stage Two – Invitation to Submit Final Tender (ISFT) Stage. This will consist of the following sub-stages: • 2A: Demonstration • 2B: Proof-of-Concept (CoP) • 2C: Quality Envelope (including Social Value) & Price (Commercial Envelope) (OPTIONAL) Stage Three – Final Clarification and Negotiation Full details of the Procurement Process, Evaluation Methodology and Response Instructions for each stage will be detailed in the Bidder Pack Documents and Supporting Documentation. Please note: The Authority may update or amend this Tender Notice or the associated tender documents during the procurement. Any modifications will be made in accordance with Section 31 of the Procurement Act 2023, and all bidders will be notified at the same time Communication: The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address. Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome.
CPV: Data management services · Data storage services · IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£6,500,000
- Economic & financial standing
- Conditions for participation
1.2) Economic and financial standing
- Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
- Conditions related to the contract
2.1) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
- Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
- Technical & professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Published award criteria (2)
- Quality: 2A: Demonstration (8%) 2B: Proof-of-Concept (12%) 2C: Quality (40%) + Social Value (10%)
- Price: Commercial Envelope
- Economic & financial standing
- Conditions for participation
1.2) Economic and financial standing
- Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
- Conditions related to the contract
2.1) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract
- Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract
- Technical & professional ability
Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- 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 8 Oct 2026
- First published
- 16 Jul 2025, 15:52 BST
- Last source update
- 23 Feb 2026, 15:29 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 28 Sept 2026
- Authority reference
C33060- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-015330- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-056090Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
Additional details can be found in the following parts of the Mid-Tier Contract documentation:
- Core Terms (under Pricing and Payments section)
- Award Form (under Payment Method section)
- Schedule 3 Charges
- How it runs
This procurement is being conducted as a Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.
The Tender will be split into the following high-level stages:
Stage One – Pre-Selection Stage. This will consist of the following sub-stages:
- 1A: Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), including Conditions of Participation (CoP).
- 1B: A Mini-Technical Envelope (Scored), which will be used to down-select suppliers.
Stage Two – Invitation to Submit Final Tender (ISFT) Stage. This will consist of the following sub-stages:
- 2A: Demonstration
- 2B: Proof-of-Concept (CoP)
- 2C: Quality Envelope (including Social Value) & Price (Commercial Envelope)
(OPTIONAL) Stage Three – Final Clarification and Negotiation
Full details of the Procurement Process, Evaluation Methodology and Response Instructions for each stage will be detailed in the Bidder Pack Documents and Supporting Documentation.
Please note: The Authority may update or amend this Tender Notice or the associated tender documents during the procurement. Any modifications will be made in accordance with Section 31 of the Procurement Act 2023, and all bidders will be notified at the same time
Communication:
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome ↗
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address.
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome ↗.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 16 Mar 2026, 16:00 GMT
- Submission deadline
- 16 Mar 2026, 16:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 5 Mar 2026, 16:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
All submissions must be made using the Defra tender portal (Atamis system).
Suppliers can access this ITT opportunity by visiting defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome ↗ – this will require signing up to the Atamis system and following the instructions within the Portal.
Tenderers must also be registered on the Central Digital Platform (CDF). Details of how to register can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publicati… ↗
Timeline
16 Jul 2025 → 12 Oct 2026 · 9 dates- Planning notice published16 Jul 2025, 15:52 BST
- Market engagementmet4 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
Please note this is an update to the previous notice.
- Next notice expected252 days ago16 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Tender notice published250 days ago19 Feb 2026, 15:07 GMT
- Latest notice published246 days ago23 Feb 2026, 15:29 GMT
- Clarification questions by236 days ago5 Mar 2026, 16:00 GMT
- Submission deadline225 days ago16 Mar 2026, 16:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by28 days ago28 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts15 days ago12 Oct 2026, 00:00 BST
Notice history
13 events · 9 releases on Find a Tender · since 16 Jul 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published16 Jul 2025, 15:52 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published17 Jul 2025, 12:51 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published18 Jul 2025, 13:27 BSTUK2
- Preliminary market engagement notice published22 Jan 2026, 16:00 GMTUK2
- Pipeline notice published23 Jan 2026, 11:53 GMTUK1
- Status changed to planned23 Jan 2026, 11:53 GMT
- Pipeline notice published28 Jan 2026, 12:08 GMTUK1
- Tender notice published19 Feb 2026, 15:07 GMTUK4
- Published value updated to £6,500,00019 Feb 2026, 15:07 GMTwas £4,500,000
- Status changed to active19 Feb 2026, 15:07 GMT
- Procurement method changed19 Feb 2026, 15:07 GMT
- Tender notice published23 Feb 2026, 14:32 GMTUK4
- Tender notice published23 Feb 2026, 15:29 GMTUK4
Published amendments (6)
Instructions informing suppliers to register on Atamis and create an active portal account to access the attached RFI documents omitted. An atamis registration link is present under the 'Contracting Authority' section of notice (website) but no explicit instructions requesting registration. Supplier thus reaching out to say they cannot see any documents to review.
Unfortunately, there is an ongoing technical error between the Contracting authority eSourcing system and the Find a Tender website in having the attached RFI documents visible for access. If you are interested in applying to this notice, we please request you reach out to [email protected] who will provide you with the updated RFI documents, at request, for your review and subsequent res…
Update for Potential Bidders around impending Procurement
Additional CPV codes added.
Minor amendment made in the Bidder Pack (Part two) procurement specific requirements document - Updated Supplier Engagement Event details on Page 6.
Routine re-releases (9)
- 2026-01: 3 releases · 22 Jan 2026, 28 Jan 2026
- 2025-07: 3 releases · 16 Jul 2025, 18 Jul 2025
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRSProcuring entityProcurement facilitated via Defra group Commercial
Official documents & specifications (13)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications This procurement is being carried out by Defra group Commercial in accordance with the Competitive Tendering Procedure as set out in the Procurement Act 2023 on behalf of the Environment Agency (EA). All procurement activities and contractual obligations arising from this Bidder…
- Bidding documents and specifications This Bidder Pack is issued in accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023. All procurement activities and contractual obligations arising from this Bidder Pack will be governed by the regulations and guidelines set forth in the Procurement Act 2023. Bidders are req…
- Bidding documents and specifications This procurement is being carried out by Defra group Commercial in accordance with the Competitive Tendering Procedure as set out in the Procurement Act 2023 on behalf of the Environment Agency (EA). All procurement activities and contractual obligations arising from this Bidder…
- Bidding documents and specifications This procurement is being carried out by Defra group Commercial in accordance with the Competitive Tendering Procedure as set out in the Procurement Act 2023 on behalf of the Environment Agency (EA). All procurement activities and contractual obligations arising from this Bidder…
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender