Award

CEFAS25-25 Contract for provision of intertidal Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) flights for Hinkley Point C Nuclear New Build project

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

30 Sep 2025 at 13:55

Award

29 Aug 2025 at 09:50

Tender

23 Jul 2025 at 11:31

Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), a sub-central government public authority based in Lowestoft, United Kingdom, has successfully awarded a contract for the provision of intertidal Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) flights. The project centres on the Hinkley Point C Nuclear New Build project, aiming to monitor potential coastal change and intertidal algal coverage. The contract was initiated under an open procedure, with the award completed on 30th September 2025. The contract period begins on 18th September 2025 and is set to end by 31st December 2026, with potential annual extensions up to December 2029. Marine Science Support Ltd was selected as the supplier for this contract, estimated at a total gross value of £600,000.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for companies operating in the survey services sector, specifically those with capabilities in conducting intertidal RPA flights. The contract involves comprehensive planning, execution of surveys, and data delivery, allowing skilled businesses to showcase and further develop their expertise in aerial surveying technologies. The project's alignment with high-profile construction at Hinkley Point C could enhance visibility for participating companies. The open procurement method and clear technical criteria make it well-suited for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) equipped to meet the regulatory requirements and technical challenges associated with environmentally sensitive locations.

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Notice Title

CEFAS25-25 Contract for provision of intertidal Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) flights for Hinkley Point C Nuclear New Build project

Notice Description

The BEEMS (British EDF Estuarine and Marine Studies) programme is funded by NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited. Through this programme, Cefas provide authoritative scientific information on the marine and transitional waters in the vicinity of potential new build nuclear power stations. Cefas require a supplier to conduct intertidal Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) flights, in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines, to monitor potential coastal change and intertidal algal coverage for the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Nuclear New Build project to meet regulatory environmental monitoring requirements. RPA flights and photography are required: (1) along the Hinkley Point foreshore, and; (2) at Combwich Wharf and the surrounding banks of the River Parrett. Flight/survey design and equipment specification must be sufficient for Cefas to create orthophotos (OPs) and Digital Surface Models (DSMs) with a Ground Sampling Distance ((GSD), i.e. resolution) of 3cm/pixel or better (exceptions are detailed in full Specification). Cefas requires that the Supplier's flight team assumes full responsibility for the comprehensive management of all aspects of each survey. This includes, but is not limited to, planning (including securing all necessary access), issuing survey notifications in advance of each flight, liaising with NNB regarding other flight operators and ensuring the safe and successful execution of every survey with delivery of data as detailed in the Specification. The initial Contract period will be to 31 December 2026, with the option to extend by an additional 3 x 12-month periods, to be awarded annually, subject to funding, up to maximum end date of 31 December 2029.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Option to extend for 3 x further periods of 12 months each.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05065b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/060942-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79311000 - Survey services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£625,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£625,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Sep 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
18 Aug 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Aug 20255 months ago
Contract Period
17 Sep 2025 - 31 Dec 2026 1-2 years
Recurrence
2029-07-01

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Holly Power
Contact Email
procure@cefas.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LOWESTOFT
Postcode
NR33 0HT
Post Town
Norwich
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH63 East Suffolk
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
East Suffolk
Electoral Ward
Kirkley & Pakefield
Westminster Constituency
Lowestoft

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

MARINE SCIENCE SUPPORT

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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