ID 5422428 - DAERA AFBI - Charter of Fishing Vessels for Fisheries Science Partnership and Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Surveys

AFBI

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

04 Jun 2025 at 15:37

Tender

22 Nov 2024 at 15:56

Summary of the contracting process

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has completed a procurement process for the charter of fishing vessels as part of a project titled "Charter of Fishing Vessels for Fisheries Science Partnership and Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Surveys." This contract, focused on environmental management services, divided the procurement into two lots—Lot 1 for a semi-pelagic trawl survey and Lot 2 for an acoustic and pelagic trawl survey. The surveys will take place in the Irish Sea, with an initial contract period of four years and options for two additional one-year extensions. The procurement, conducted under an open procedure, culminated on 4th June 2025 with the award of contracts valued at £258,580 and £264,000 for the respective lots.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses in the marine and environmental sectors, particularly those equipped to provide vessels equipped for scientific surveys. SMEs with existing expertise in pelagic trawling in the Irish Sea and experience with the defined fishing gear would be well-suited for such contracts. Such opportunities can help businesses expand their operations and gain valuable governmental experience while contributing to significant environmental and fisheries research initiatives. The focus on comprehensive services, including crew and management, further emphasises the potential for business growth in related service provisions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

ID 5422428 - DAERA AFBI - Charter of Fishing Vessels for Fisheries Science Partnership and Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Surveys

Notice Description

AFBI is seeking to commission two fishing vessels to conduct surveys include all management, crew, victuals, and other services necessary. The Contract is divided into Lots based on survey type as follows and requires: Lot 1 - Fisheries Science Partnership Semi-Pelagic survey A vessel to carry out a semi-pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least one scientist, and; Lot 2 - Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Survey A vessel to carry out an acoustic and pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least three scientists. Fishing/surveys will be undertaken within the Irish Sea (ICES Area 6a and 7a, dependent on individual trial/survey). The Skipper must have experience of working the defined fishing gear in the defined area and have landed the targeted species for sale. The initial contract period is for 4 years with 2 further optional extension period of up to 1 year each. Please refer to the document entitled "ID 5422428 - Specification)" for full details of the requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1 - Fisheries Science Partnership Semi-Pelagic survey

AFBI is seeking to commission two fishing vessels to conduct surveys include all management, crew, victuals, and other services necessary. The Contract is divided into Lots based on survey type as follows and requires: Lot 1 - Fisheries Science Partnership Semi-Pelagic survey A vessel to carry out a semi-pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least one scientist, and; Lot 2 - Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Survey A vessel to carry out an acoustic and pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least three scientists. Fishing/surveys will be undertaken within the Irish Sea (ICES Area 6a and 7a, dependent on individual trial/survey). The Skipper must have experience of working the defined fishing gear in the defined area and have landed the targeted species for sale. The initial contract period is for 4 years with 2 further optional extension period of up to 1 year each. Please refer to the document entitled "ID 5422428 - Specification)" for full details of the requirement. Additional information: The figure indicated in Section II 1.7 represents an estimated contract value. This value reflects the potential scale of the contract and takes into account potential optional extension periods and the uptake of potential optional services as detailed in the tender documents. This figure does not however take into account the application of indexation or increases to charges due to increases in the Real Living Wage. Neither CPD nor the Authority can provide any guarantee as to the level of business under this contract. The Contracting Authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. Economic Operators remain responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by them or by any third party acting under instructions from the Economic Operator in connection with taking part in this procurement process regardless of whether such costs arise as a consequence, directly or indirectly of any amendments made to the procurement documents by the Contracting Authority at any time. No legally binding contract shall arise and an Economic Operator shall. have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into until such time as entry into the Contract has been confirmed by the. Contracting Authority. Economic Operators should note that all dates, time periods and figures in relation to values and volumes specified. in this notice and the procurement documents are approximate only and the Contracting Authority reserves the right to change any or all of them.

Options: The Buyer may extend the Contract for 2 optional periods of up to 1 year each by giving not less than 6 months' notice in writing to the Supplier prior to the Expiry Date. The Conditions of the Contract shall apply throughout any such extended period.

Renewal: This contract will potentially be due to be re-procured after the initial contract period and/or following any extensions.

Lot 2 - Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Survey

AFBI is seeking to commission two fishing vessels to conduct surveys include all management, crew, victuals, and other services necessary. The Contract is divided into Lots based on survey type as follows and requires: Lot 1 - Fisheries Science Partnership Semi-Pelagic survey A vessel to carry out a semi-pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least one scientist, and; Lot 2 - Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Survey A vessel to carry out an acoustic and pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least three scientists. Fishing/surveys will be undertaken within the Irish Sea (ICES Area 6a and 7a, dependent on individual trial/survey). The Skipper must have experience of working the defined fishing gear in the defined area and have landed the targeted species for sale. The initial contract period is for 4 years with 2 further optional extension period of up to 1 year each. Please refer to the document entitled "ID 5422428 - Specification)" for full details of the requirement. Additional information: The figure indicated in Section II 1.7 represents an estimated contract value. This value reflects the potential scale of the contract and takes into account potential optional extension periods and the uptake of potential optional services as detailed in the tender documents. This figure does not however take into account the application of indexation or increases to charges due to increases in the Real Living Wage. Neither CPD nor the Authority can provide any guarantee as to the level of business under this contract. The Contracting Authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. Economic Operators remain responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by them or by any third party acting under instructions from the Economic Operator in connection with taking part in this procurement process regardless of whether such costs arise as a consequence, directly or indirectly of any amendments made to the procurement documents by the Contracting Authority at any time. No legally binding contract shall arise and an Economic Operator shall. have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into until such time as entry into the Contract has been confirmed by the. Contracting Authority. Economic Operators should note that all dates, time periods and figures in relation to values and volumes specified. in this notice and the procurement documents are approximate only and the Contracting Authority reserves the right to change any or all of them.

Options: The Buyer may extend the Contract for 2 optional periods of up to 1 year each by giving not less than 6 months' notice in writing to the Supplier prior to the Expiry Date. The Conditions of the Contract shall apply throughout any such extended period.

Renewal: This contract will potentially be due to be re-procured after the initial contract period and/or following any extensions.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04be22
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029974-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

03 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

03310000 - Fish, crustaceans and aquatic products

34513000 - Fishing, emergency and other special vessels

34513100 - Fishing vessels

34513550 - Survey vessels

60651000 - Hire of vessels with crew

60651100 - Hire of sea-going vessels with crew

63726700 - Fishing-vessel services

77700000 - Services incidental to fishing

90700000 - Environmental services

90710000 - Environmental management

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£700,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£700,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£522,580 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Jun 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
13 Jan 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Jun 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
This contract will potentially be due to be re-procured after the initial contract period and/or following any extensions.

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
AFBI
Additional Buyers

Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute AFBI

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT9 5PX
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Upper Malone
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

ATLANTIC TRAWLERS KILKEEL LIMITED

GLENLUCE FISHING CO. LIMITED

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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