Contracts
Research & development in South West
Public sector contract notices in research & development covering South West, from Find a Tender and Contracts Finder.
Research & development notices in South West
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Anaerobic Digester Guidance Note
Mid Devon District Council needs a consultant to write guidance on planning and consenting for anaerobic digester plants. The district has seen several such developments and wants a document to help staff determine future applications.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Different Voices, Different Stories - UID 153
Historic England Archive wants someone to identify gaps in their collections and surface hidden histories of underrepresented groups and communities. You'll need lived experience of the community or theme you want to explore.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Habitats Regulation Assessment for the Local BCP Plan
Conduct a Habitat Regulations Assessment for BCP Council's new Local Plan to ensure compliance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. You'll also advise on development strategy and policies.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Scoping an SAV appraisal of Historic England - UID 181M
Historic England needs a two-month scoping study to shape a Strategic Added Value appraisal for the 2027–28 Spending Review. The work covers reviewing evidence, assessing data readiness, identifying gaps, consulting stakeholders, and designing a costed evaluation framework.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Commission to develop a methodology for understanding Local Authority Historic Environment Staffing and Skills Challenges - UID 161
Historic England wants someone to design a methodology for gathering data on how local authorities staff and resource their historic environment services. The research will help them understand the impact of planning reform and local government reorganisation.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Rapid assessment of historic environment provision and advice in Defra’s Landscape Recovery Schemes - UID 206
Historic England wants a survey and report on how heritage advice and assessments are being used in Defra's Landscape Recovery scheme projects. You'll conduct stakeholder interviews, speak to heritage contractors, and produce findings with recommendations on good practice.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Youth Guarantee Trailblazer - Project Evaluation
The West of England Combined Authority needs an independent evaluation of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer programme. The work will assess how the regional pilot integrates education, training, and employment support for young people, and produce evidence for national policy development.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Strategic and Local Plan Viability Assessment
Tewkesbury Borough Council needs a Viability Assessment for its Strategic and Local Plan, prepared according to NPPF and government planning guidance. The final report is due within 5 months, with the full contract running 35 months.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Knowing the Heritage Sector Phase 4 - catalogue of heritage enterprises in England - UID 148
Historic England wants a catalogue of heritage enterprises in England built from multiple data sources using web-scraping, machine learning, and manual review. The deliverable includes the catalogue plus three dashboard design concepts.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
ITT - CSM Demonstration Survey UID 218
Historic England is commissioning a marine archaeological geophysicist or surveyor to work aboard RV Cefas Endeavour during the UK CSM Demonstration Survey in April–May 2026. The role involves operating geophysical survey equipment on a 12-hour shift pattern during a seabed mapping survey.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Horizon Scanning for the University of Bath
The University of Bath wants external help identifying new programme and portfolio opportunities over 2–10 years, using horizon scanning methods. The work is strategic planning to build a product pipeline for the institution.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Destination Tourism Growth & Management Plan for the CotswoldsPlus Local visitor economy partnership
Cotswold District Council needs a comprehensive growth and management plan for the visitor economy across the CotswoldsPlus area. The plan should be evidence-based, shaped through stakeholder engagement, and focused on sustainable growth and long-term resilience.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Circular Economy Value Chain Modelling
University of Exeter needs specialist consultants to design and analyse circular economy data outputs across multiple sectors and value chains. The work will build evidence for industry practice, policy and investment decisions.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Mid Devon Housing and Economic Needs Assessment
Mid Devon District Council needs a consultant to produce a Housing and Economic Needs Assessment for the district. This will be evidence for their new local plan and related strategies.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
DNP0030-26 Provision of Blended Finance Plan and Business Model for Walkham Valley Landscape Recovery Project
Dartmoor National Park Authority needs a green finance consultant to develop a blended finance plan and business model for the Walkham Valley Landscape Recovery Project, a large-scale nature restoration programme funded through Defra's Landscape Recovery scheme. The work covers the two-year Project Development Phase.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Circular Economy Data Policy Analysis
University of Exeter is seeking specialist support to design, analyse and model a National Circular Economy Data Observatory. The work will develop an evidence base for circular economy policy and practice across defined sectors and supply chains.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Plan Mid Devon Viability Assessment
Mid Devon District Council needs a viability assessment to support its new Local Plan. The work will evaluate whether proposed developments and policies are financially viable and deliverable, with particular focus on affordable housing provision.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Plan Mid Devon Strategic Environmental Assessment
Mid Devon District Council needs a consultant to conduct a full Strategic Environmental Assessment of their Local Plan, including scoping, policy assessment, environmental reporting, and support through consultation and examination.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
CFDF: Single Fibre Tester
Purchase of a high throughput single fibre tensile testing machine with fibre fineness and dimensional testing capability. Equipment for testing individual fibres under tension.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendlyFramework
ITT - National Blue Plaque Scheme Freelance Historian Framework - UID 199M
Historic England wants to build a framework of up to 10 freelance historians to research and write reports on candidates for the National Blue Plaque scheme. Work will be ongoing with individual commissions as nominations come in.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Process Evaluation of BFI FAN and Network Programmes
The BFI wants a process evaluation of two major National Lottery-funded screen culture programmes (Film Audience Network and NETWORK) operating across the UK. The evaluation covers 2023 to 2029 and will assess how these programmes deliver UK-wide access to funding and opportunities.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
EU harmonised surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) E. coli and Salmonella found in fresh beef and pork meat on retail sale in the UK in 2027
The FSA wants a survey of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli and Salmonella found in fresh beef and pork at UK retail in 2027. The work is split into survey design and sample collection (Lot 1) and laboratory testing with data analysis and reporting (Lot 2).
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
ITT - Value realisation through adaptive reuse of historic buildings - UID 285
Historic England wants a research study to assess how value can be realised through adaptive reuse of historic buildings in England. The work will examine success factors across different property types and locations, analyse case studies, and produce evidence to support investment decisions and funding solutions.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
Strategic Culture Change Partner
NHS trust seeking a strategic partner to design, deliver and embed a trust-wide cultural transformation programme. The role requires specialist capacity and expertise in organisational culture change.
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ClosedSmall-firm friendly
CEFAS26-79 Macrofauna Analysis of Sediment Samples
Processing and taxonomic identification of 33 macrofaunal sediment samples from a dredged material disposal site near Falmouth. Work must follow NMBAQC guidelines, including extraction on 1.0 mm mesh, identification to lowest taxonomic level, biomassing, and quality audit.