Defra is developing a new Science Estates Delivery Framework to support the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s nationally important science estate at Weybridge. The proposed arrangement is expected to cover up to £250 million excluding VAT and run for as long as eight years, creating a substantial route to market for contractors, consultants and specialist providers working in technically demanding environments.
This is still at the preliminary market engagement stage. The final lot structure and procurement strategy have not been confirmed, so suppliers have an opportunity to help shape how the requirement is divided and delivered.
What the Science Estates Delivery Framework may cover
The framework is intended to support high-containment and non-containment facilities, primarily at APHA Weybridge, although it may also be available for projects across the wider Defra group. The published market engagement notice identifies three broad areas of potential work.
Construction and infrastructure works
Possible requirements include high and low containment construction, mechanical and electrical works, demolition and enabling works, civil engineering, utilities, building fabric works, refurbishment and new-build construction.
Professional and technical services
The proposed scope also includes multidisciplinary design, lead designer services, project and programme management, project controls, cost and commercial management, building surveying, NEC supervision, risk management, principal designer duties, commissioning and validation.
Specialist services
Specialist opportunities may include high-containment consultancy, environmental and acoustic consultancy, technical assurance, digital and BIM services, move management, strategic estate planning, fire safety, building safety, ground investigation and geotechnical work.
Which suppliers should consider engaging?
The breadth of the proposed scope means this is relevant to more than principal contractors. It may suit:
- construction businesses with laboratory, research, healthcare or secure-estate experience;
- mechanical, electrical, civil engineering and infrastructure specialists;
- architectural, engineering, surveying and project management consultancies;
- commissioning, validation, assurance and building safety specialists; and
- SMEs offering a focused technical service within complex estates.
Experience in a high-containment laboratory environment is specifically requested as part of the engagement response, although the notice also invites organisations without that experience to identify the services they could provide.
For a related view of public-sector demand across laboratories and research settings, see our guide to the Life Sciences Equipment Framework.
What suppliers need to do now
Interested organisations are asked to register their interest before 1 September 2026. The response should identify the business, a point of contact, the services or potential lots of interest, SME status and any experience in high-containment laboratories.
This is not yet a tender submission. The immediate task is to give Defra useful information about market capability, capacity and the proposed delivery model. Suppliers should be clear about where they can lead, where they may need delivery partners and which parts of the potential scope are commercially workable.
Quick facts
- Contracting authority: Animal and Plant Health Agency, within Defra
- Commercial model: Proposed dynamic market
- Estimated value: £250 million excluding VAT, £300 million including VAT
- Expected term: September 2027 to August 2034, with a possible extension to August 2035
- Main location: APHA Weybridge, with potential use across Defra group locations
- Engagement deadline: 1 September 2026
How to prepare for the future procurement
Suppliers should start mapping relevant projects against the likely work areas now. For specialist estates, a generic construction case study will rarely be enough. Evidence should explain the technical environment, the risks managed, the role undertaken, interfaces with other disciplines and measurable delivery outcomes.
It is also worth reviewing the proposed scope against current accreditations, professional registrations, security arrangements, supply-chain capability and resource availability. If a consortium or subcontracting model is likely to be required, potential partners should be identified before the formal procurement begins.
Thornton & Lowe supports contractors and consultants with opportunity assessment, bid strategy and tender responses for complex public-sector procurements.
