Official UK procurement notice
Collaborative Delivery Framework 2
Authority: Environment Agency (Central government)·On behalf of: DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
What is being bought14 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionCDF2 will deliver asset management activities across the whole of the EA's asset base including Flood and Coastal Risk Management, Navigation and Water Land and Biodiversity assets. The Framework will provide appraisal, design, technical support, and construction works that support the EA’s asset management, maintenance, refurbishment and construction programmes of work.
The Framework will be required to develop, design and deliver nature-based solutions and more traditional hard engineering solutions. The framework will be used to award contracts with a value up to £150m.
This opportunity will be organised into three technical Lots, with sub-Lots within each Lot, corresponding to three geographic Hubs.
- Lot 1: Strategy, appraisal and design services.
Includes Sub-Lots 1a (North); 1b (Midlands and Southwest); and 1c (East and Southeast)
- Lot 2: Detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value <~£5m).
Includes Sub-Lots 2a (North); 2bi (Midlands); 2bii (Southwest); 2biii (Midlands and Southwest); and 2c (East and Southeast).
-Lot 3: Detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value ~£5m-£150m). Includes Sub-Lots 3a (North); 3b (Midlands and Southwest); and 2c (East and Southeast).
All Tenderers who successfully gain a place on any of the above Sub-Lots will automatically be added to the National Pool Sub-Lot for each Lot. The National Pool Sub-Lot is not a separate opportunity for which Tenderers may bid, instead, successful Tenderers will be automatically added to the National Pool. More information is available in the Bidder Pack.
PLEASE NOTE - AS THE TECHNICAL LOTS HAVE BEEN SPLIT INTO SUB-LOTS WHICH ARE ADVERTISED AS SEPARATE OPPORTUNITIES, TENDERERS CANNOT BID FOR THE INDIVIDUAL TECHNICAL LOTS (LOT 1 LOT 2 LOT 3). THESE ARE THEREFORE SHOWING AS CANCELLED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS DOES NOT CHANGE THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE UNDER THIS FRAMEWORK AS PREVIOUSLY COMMUNICATED. PLEASE SEE SPECIFIC LOT SECTION BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
All opportunities will be awarded via the Competitive Flexible Procedure. Commencing with a Conditions of Participation stage on the 16th March 2026.
All opportunities are advertised through Atamis, DEFRA Group’s e-Sourcing Portal.
The opportunities are advertised separately by technical Lot using the Procurement References below;
C33350: Lot 1 – including Sub-Lots 1A, 1B and 1C.
C33368: Lot 2 – Including Sub-Lots 2A, 2Bi, 2Bii, 2Biii and 2C.
C33373: Lot 3 - Including Sub-Lots 3A, 3B and 3C.
Each Sub-Lot is its own opportunity. The requirements for each Sub-Lot can be accessed via Atamis under the relevant Lot opportunity.
For further information regarding Atamis, and to access the opportunity please use the link below:
atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome ↗
From this point forward, all communication with the Authority (the EA) and with Defra group must be via the Atamis portal. Tenderers must not contact the Authority via any other means. The CDF Replacement mailbox (cdfreplacement@defra.gov.uk) was used only for market engagement purposes, and must not be used to contact the Authority now the tender process has started. Tenderers (including potential Tenderers) must not attempt to contact individual employees or representatives of the Authority, regarding the CDF2 tender process.
A Tenderer Webinar: Understanding the Environment Agency will be held on Wednesday 25th of March at 11:00-12:00. This call will be an opportunity for CDF2 Tenderers to learn more about the Environment Agency as an organisation and Client, its challenges, areas of focus and ways of working. The call will consist of a presentation and Q&A session.
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/0c6e1780-8a57-… ↗
Attendance numbers are capped and as such, only two members from any organisation may register for the webinar.
- How the procedure runs: Stage 1: Conditions of Participation (including minimum technical capability assessment). Stage 2: Main Tender Stage (technical, social value and commercial assessment). Stage 3: Behavioural Assessments (in-person). Stage 4: Pre-award meetings (optional stage). Shortlisting will take place following Stages 1 and 2.
CPV: Construction consultancy services · Construction management services · Construction supervision services · Construction-site supervision services · Consultative engineering and construction services · Engineering design services · Engineering services · Engineering works and construction works · Site-investigation services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Places
- up to 16 suppliers
- Framework period
8 yrs from 15 Feb 2027, The framework length aligns with the Construction Playbook principle of long-term contracting. It also aligns with industry standards of 8-10 year framework agreements.
- Buyer regions
- UKC, UKD, UKE, UKF, UKG, UKH, UKI, UKJ, UKK
Who may buy through it
The Authority may require the successful Tenderer(s) to provide the goods/services on the same terms that are agreed as a result of this tender process to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and its associated bodies including any Agencies and non-departmental public bodies in England. The Authority may also require the provision of works and/or services to members of the Defra Group via the Authority, rather than directly.
The successful Tenderer(s) may also be required to provide the services to Local Authorities in England.
The successful Tenderer(s) may also be required to provide the services to Internal Drainage Boards in England.
The successful Tenderer(s) may also be required to provide the services to Central Government departments, executive agencies, and other non-departmental public bodies in England.
Published description of the framework
Full details can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lots and requirements (14)Procurement structure
14 lots · 11 with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · evaluation weights differ by lotEvery one of these 2 lots carries the same published figure, £130,770,755: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Strategy, appraisal and design services.Cancelled UKLot estimate not published
Strategy, appraisal and design services (all values)
Lot #2Detailed design services and construction works (<£5m)CancelledLot estimate not published
Detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value <~£5m)
Lot #3Detailed design services and construction works (>£5m)CancelledLot estimate not published
Detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value ~£5m-£150m).
Lot #4Sub-Lot 1a (North) North East, North West +1Published value£163,463,444
Lot 1 strategy, appraisal and design services aligned to the Authority's North Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lot #5Sub-Lot 1b (Midlands and SW) Yorkshire & Humber, East Midlands +2Published value£170,001,981
Lot 1 strategy, appraisal and design services aligned to the Authority's Midland and South West Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lot #6Sub-Lot 1c (East and SE) East of England, London +1Published value£178,720,032
Lot 1 strategy, appraisal and design services aligned to the Authority's East and South East Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lot #7Sub-Lot 2a (North) North East, North West +1Published value£241,925,897
Lot 2 detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value <~£5m) aligned to the Authority's North Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lot #8Sub-Lot 2bi (Midlands) Yorkshire & Humber, East Midlands +1ceiling above
Lot 2 detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value <~£5m) aligned to the Midlands geographic area within the Authority's Midlands and South West Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lot #9Sub-Lot 2bii (South West) South Westceiling above
Lot 2 detailed design and construction works (design and construction contract value <~£5m) aligned to the South West geographic area within the Authority's Midlands and South West Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lot #10Sub-Lot 2biii (Midlands and SW) Yorkshire & Humber, East Midlands +2Published value£196,156,132
Lot 2 detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value <~£5m) aligned to the Authority's Midlands and South West Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lot #11Sub-Lot 2c (East and SE) East of England, London +1Published value£285,516,148
Lot 2 detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value <~£5m) aligned to the Authority's East and South East Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lot #12Sub-Lot 3a (North) North East, North West +1Published value£1,275,014,860
Lot 3 detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value ~£5m-£150m) aligned to the Authority's North Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lot #13Sub-Lot 3b (Midlands and SW) Yorkshire & Humber, East Midlands +2Published value£1,332,771,944
Lot 3 detailed design services and construction works (~£5m-£150m) aligned to the Authority's Midlands and Southwest Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
Lot #14Sub-Lot 3c (East and SE) East of England, London +1Published value£1,394,888,052
Lot 3 detailed design services and construction works (design and construction contract value ~£5m-£150m) aligned to the Authority's East and South East Hub.
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated 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).
Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.
| Lot | Quality | Price | Social value | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 · Sub-Lot 1a (North) | 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| 5 · Sub-Lot 1b (Midlands and SW) | 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| 6 · Sub-Lot 1c (East and SE) | 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| 7 · Sub-Lot 2a (North) | 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| 8 · Sub-Lot 2bi (Midlands) | 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| 9 · Sub-Lot 2bii (South West) | 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| 10 · Sub-Lot 2biii (Midlands and SW) | 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| 11 · Sub-Lot 2c (East and SE) | 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| 12 · Sub-Lot 3a (North) | 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| 13 · Sub-Lot 3b (Midlands and SW) | 50% | 30% | 20% | |
| 14 · Sub-Lot 3c (East and SE) | 50% | 30% | 20% |
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial capacity conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Full details of the technical ability conditions associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Full details of the selection criteria associated with this procurement can be found in the Bidder Pack and associated documents.
- Price carries 30 points on every lot: a 10% discount moves about 3 points.
- “Collaborative Delivery Framework 2” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 16 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
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
- Works
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- The Authority may require the successful Tenderer(s) to provide the goods/services on the same terms that are agreed as a result of this tender process to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and its associated bodies including any Agencies and non-departmental public bodies in England. The Authority may also require the provision of works and/or services to members of the Defra Group via the Authority, rather than directly. The successful Tenderer(s) may also be required to provide the services to Local Authorities in England. The successful Tenderer(s) may also be required to provide the services to Internal Drainage Boards in England. The successful Tenderer(s) may also be required to provide the services to Central Government departments, executive agencies, and other non-departmental public bodies in England.
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 23 May 2025, 09:47 BST
- Last source update
- 16 Mar 2026, 09:53 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 19 Oct 2026
- Authority reference
Lot 1: C33350; Lot 2 C33368; Lot 3 C33373- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-023315- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-052024Find a Tender
- How it runs
Stage 1: Conditions of Participation (including minimum technical capability assessment).
Stage 2: Main Tender Stage (technical, social value and commercial assessment).
Stage 3: Behavioural Assessments (in-person).
Stage 4: Pre-award meetings (optional stage).
Shortlisting will take place following Stages 1 and 2.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 27 Apr 2026, 10:00 BST
- Appointment period ends
- 27 Apr 2026, 10:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 27 Apr 2026, 10:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Timeline
23 May 2025 → 15 Feb 2027 · 8 dates- Planning notice published23 May 2025, 09:47 BST
- Market engagement346 days ago14 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
Made available alongside this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice are draft versions of our completed framework deed and schedules, and our draft bidder pack including tender questions, for review, clarification and comment. This will be shared via Quatrix - a secure, cloud-managed platform for file transfers. In order to access Quatrix, you will be required to create a free account by inputting an email address and password. To request access to Quatrix please contact cdfreplacement@defra.gov.uk.
The draft framework schedule and deeds are available via Quatirx now. The draft tender documentation including bidder pack and tender questions, for review and comment, and a presentation regarding the CDF2 model and tender process, will be uploaded week commencing 13/10/2025.
We have made every effort to ensure these documents are as close as possible to the final versions that will be formally shared with our Invitation to Tender, however as internal approvals are still pending, we cannot guarantee that minor changes will not be required.
This is an opportunity for interested suppliers to familiarise themselves with these key documents, provide feedback on concerns with specific wording and clarify any ambiguities.
We are not looking for further feedback on the fundamental elements of the model, however we will be looking for feedback to understand if any elements of the model, as articulated in these documents, would prevent or dissuade any suppliers from bidding, who had previously been interested.
Interested suppliers are invited to view a presentation included in the documents shared explaining the CDF2 model and tender process. In-person feedback sessions will be held on Tuesday 21st October at Mary Ward House, Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SN and online sessions will be held on Tuesday 4th November. To ensure all interested parties have the opportunity to seek feedback and clarity, a maximum of two representatives from each interested party will be invited to attend an agreed slot at one of these sessions and a pre-registration link will be shared alongside the first upload of documents.
To receive an invitation to the event, and the link to access the shared documents, please contact CDFreplacement@defra.gov.uk.
- Tender notice published224 days ago16 Mar 2026, 09:43 GMT
- Next notice expected224 days ago16 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Clarification questions by182 days ago27 Apr 2026, 10:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends182 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown27 Apr 2026, 10:00 BST
- Award decision expected by7 days ago19 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Today27 Oct 2026
- Contract startsin 110 days15 Feb 2027
Notice history
10 events · 7 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 May 2025- Pipeline notice published23 May 2025, 09:47 BSTUK1
- Preliminary market engagement notice published10 Oct 2025, 11:54 BSTUK2
- Planned procurement notice published27 Feb 2026, 13:08 GMTUK3
- Procurement method changed27 Feb 2026, 13:08 GMT
- Pipeline notice published27 Feb 2026, 13:09 GMTUK1
- Planned procurement notice published27 Feb 2026, 13:36 GMTUK3
- Tender notice published16 Mar 2026, 09:43 GMTUK4
- Published value updated to £5,500,000,00016 Mar 2026, 09:43 GMTwas £5,000,000,000
- Status changed to active16 Mar 2026, 09:43 GMT
- Tender notice published16 Mar 2026, 09:53 GMTUK4
Published amendments (3)
adding procedure type to the notice
Slight amendment needed to clarify other Contracting Authorities
Wording regarding Lot structure updated
Routine re-releases (7)
- 2026-02: 2 releases · 27 Feb 2026, 27 Feb 2026
- 2025-10: 1 release · 10 Oct 2025
- 2025-05: 1 release · 23 May 2025
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
3 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRSBeneficiary authority
- DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRSProcuring entityDEFRA Group commercial will be managing this tender on behalf of the Environment Agency
Official documents & specifications (7)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender