Study of diatom populations in Haute-Loire watercourses 2026 Tender

Original: Etude Du Peuplement De Diatomees Des Cours D'eau De Haute-loire

Agence ingénierie des Territoires 43

About this tender

The Agence ingénierie des Territoires 43 is procuring biological monitoring of diatoms in watercourses (suivi biologique « diatomées ») for 20 to 44 stations per year, within the surface water quality monitoring network of Haute-Loire (department 43) or for specific studies. The contract is a single-award framework agreement with maximum (accord-cadre mono-attributaire avec maximum) that will be called off through purchase orders. CPV code 90700000 (environmental services). The place of performance is the Département de la Haute-Loire. The market is not divided into lots. Each monitoring campaign includes: identifying the stations; sampling benthic diatoms; preparing slides in triplicate; laboratory identification of the diatoms and calculation of the IBD (Indice Biologique Diatomées) and ecological status; entering data into OMNIDIA and archiving the data; interpreting results and producing the annual campaign synthesis and reporting; and interannual interpretation by station, watercourse and major river basin based on the last four sampling rounds. Optional or as-needed services include complementary investigation under scanning electron microscopy (MEB) for the determination of difficult or specific taxa, with photographic captures, and production of photographic plates for the main taxa observed, invasive or rare species, and taxa of heritage interest. The framework agreement has an indicative start date of 10/12/2026 and an indicative completion date of 10/12/2027. The initial period is 12 months, with up to 3 tacit renewals of 12 months each, for a maximum total duration of 48 months. The periodic maximum is 30,000 EUR excluding VAT, identical for each renewal period. Renewal is accepted unless the contracting authority issues a written objection at least 3 months before expiry, and the contractor cannot refuse renewal.

Bidder eligibility

Candidates must provide the application documents under articles L. 2142-1, R. 2142-3, R. 2142-4, R. 2143-3 and R. 2143-4 of the Code de la commande publique, plus a sworn declaration (déclaration sur l'honneur) that they are not in any excluded situation. Economic and financial capacity: a statement of overall turnover and turnover for the services covered by the contract over the last three available financial years, and tax and social security compliance certificates. Technical and professional capacity: a list of main services performed over the last three years with amount, date and recipient, evidenced by recipient certificates or, failing that, a candidate declaration; average annual headcount and supervisory staff for each of the last three years; organisation, qualifications and experience of staff assigned to the analyses, including CVs and interpretation responsibilities, and of those responsible for validation and quality control; total number of analyses performed per year per operator over three years; similar references; description of technical equipment, quality assurance measures, and study and research resources. A COFRAC accreditation for the diatom biological index (indice biologique diatomées) is required. No minimum turnover threshold is disclosed in the notice.

How bids are scored

Award criteria: price of services 30%; technical value 60%; environmental protection performance 10%. The notice states that award without negotiation is possible. Presentation of variants is not permitted, and electronic catalogue submissions are prohibited.

Key requirements

• ✓Annual diatom sampling and benthic analysis across 20–44 stations
• ✓Laboratory preparation of slides in triplicate and taxonomic determination with IBD and ecological-status calculation
• ✓Data entry into OMNIDIA system and archiving; annual and multi-year trend interpretation
• ✓Scanning electron microscopy for difficult taxa identification and photographic documentation of key taxa and invasive/rare species

Procurement contact

The notice names a procurement contact for clarification questions.

CPV codes

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Water funding covers supply, sanitation, wastewater treatment, water efficiency, catchment management and flood risk. A large share is public procurement for infrastructure and services, alongside grants for innovation and access in underserved areas. Bidders and applicants are typically assessed on technical capacity, operating experience and community impact.