Provision of Geological Products and Services Framework

1. Description

The Environment Agency is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform the future procurement strategy for the provision of geological products and services.

The proposed arrangement is intended to provide access to geological expertise, datasets, interpretation, modelling and specialist advisory services. These services may support Environment Agency activities, including flood risk management, groundwater investigations, environmental protection, place-based planning, environmental monitoring and related technical programmes.

The Environment Agency wishes to understand market capability and capacity, potential innovations, commercial models and delivery approaches within the geological services sector. Feedback will help inform the future procurement strategy and any subsequent procurement activity.

The potential future arrangement may have an estimated value of up to £5.9 million over four years. This estimate is indicative and is provided for market engagement purposes only. No decision has been made on the final procurement route, framework structure, number of suppliers, lotting approach, award methodology, call-off arrangements or final value. This preliminary market engagement does not form part of a competitive tender process and does not commit the Environment Agency to undertake a subsequent procurement.

2. Purpose of the engagement

• Supplier capability and capacity to deliver all or part of the potential requirement.

• Delivery models and the structure of the market.

• Whether a single-supplier or multiple-supplier framework would be most effective.

• Potential lotting arrangements.

• Direct award, further competition or a combination of both for future call-off contracts.

• Innovation, digital tools, data products and emerging technologies.

• Commercial and contractual considerations.

• Social value and sustainability opportunities.

• Market risks, constraints and barriers to participation.

3. How to participate

Suppliers interested in participating in this market engagement exercise should contact the Commercial Lead using the details below to request the market engagement documentation.

Paul Butler

Email: paul.butler@defra.gov.uk

The market engagement pack includes:

• Market Engagement Specification

• Market Engagement Questionnaire

Suppliers should submit one coordinated response per organisation by the published deadline.

Participation is voluntary. Suppliers will not be disadvantaged in any subsequent procurement if they do not participate, and participation will not give any supplier an advantage.

5. Indicative timetable

Deadline for supplier responses

Friday 30 October 2026 at 2pm (Date Extended)

6. Review of responses

Week commencing Monday 2 November 2026

(Date Extended)

7. Expected commencement of the new arrangement:

1 March 2027

The dates above are indicative and may change following market engagement and internal approvals.