Planning

UKRI-4464 BAS - Pillow Style Cargo Flex Fuel Bladders

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

01 May 2025 at 13:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

07 Apr 2025 at 09:48

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation is initiating a procurement process for the provision of pillow-style cargo flex fuel bladders required by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). The procurement stage is currently in planning, with the engagement milestone due by 8th May 2025. This contract requires the delivery of 73 fuel bladders over a five-year period, starting in June 2025. The tender is valued at approximately £556,380 and is categorised under goods, with specific industry classifications related to tanks, reservoirs, containers, and pressure vessels. BAS plans to use these bladders for logistics operations across unprepared snow terrains, providing substantial logistical and cost benefits over alternative methods.

This tender presents significant opportunities, particularly for businesses specialised in the manufacture or supply of fuel storage solutions. Such enterprises that can demonstrate eco-friendly and efficient logistical strategies are well-positioned to benefit. The contract involves delivering innovative solutions that support the unique challenges of Antarctic operations, potentially opening doors to further collaborations with governmental and scientific research bodies upon successful fulfilment. Interested companies are encouraged to participate in the preliminary market engagement to better align their proposals with the specific needs of this large-scale, adventurous endeavour.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-4464 BAS - Pillow Style Cargo Flex Fuel Bladders

Notice Description

BAS operates tractor traverse to large science projects covering 3,000 to 4,000 miles of unprepared snow. Typically, Tractor Traverse will transport 250.000 litres of fuel along with heavy equipment, supported by high molecular weight polyethylene sheets. The fuel bladders in question are pillow style. BAS has an on-going requirement for this type of fuel bladder. Tractor traverse platform is capable of transporting a significant quantity of fuel in fuel bladders and science cargo, most of which is supported by high molecular weight polyethylene sheets. A significant benefit of this system is that this traverse system, can transport heavy individual components that cannot otherwise be deployed. It is likely that BAS will require 73 fuel bladders over a five-year period with the first 4 units being required before the end of August 2025 Deploying fuel bladders represents a significant saving over transporting fuel via air, also bladders represent a significant cost saving in terms of fuel efficiency during towing. These bladders being lighter than their stainless counterparts. Bladders must be available for BAS shipping arrangements commencing in Autumn (August) each year. Regarding possible environmental impact to storing and hauling fuel over the Antarctic continent a rigorous full-scale test must be carried out onany new unproven system by a third party at no expence to BAS. To view this notice, please click here: https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=946346925

Planning Information

If you are interested in attending, please message via the portal your interest via the portal referencing the UKRI reference number on the below link, no later than 25/04/2025. https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/respond/HN7AXWE734

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04fde0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018473-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

CPV Codes

44610000 - Tanks, reservoirs, containers and pressure vessels

44611410 - Oil-storage tanks

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£556,379 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
9 May 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Jun 2025 - 2 Jun 2029 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Additional Buyers

MISSING

Contact Name
Procurement
Contact Email
nercprocurement@ukri.org
Contact Phone
+44 1793442000

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
TLH12 Cambridgeshire CC
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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