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School of Biology/SMRU: Aircraft for the Aerial Survey of Grey Seal Breeding Colonies 2025

University of St Andrews

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

23 Sep 2025 at 10:18

Award Notice
Tender

30 May 2025 at 09:54

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of St Andrews, located in Guardbridge, United Kingdom, recently concluded a procurement process titled "School of Biology/SMRU: Aircraft for the Aerial Survey of Grey Seal Breeding Colonies 2025". This initiative falls under the services category, specifically focusing on the hire of aircraft with crew (CPV code: 60424100). The procurement process followed an open procedure and was completed with the issuance of the contract on 25th August 2025. The awarded contract, valued at £145,972.32, was granted to Cheshire Flying Services Limited, trading as Ravenair. The surveys are conducted from mid-September 2025 to early January 2026, covering grey seal breeding sites around Scotland and along the east coast of England.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specializing in aviation services, particularly those with capabilities in providing twin-engine aircraft and crew for survey operations. As the project involves a significant number of flights to remote areas, suppliers capable of facilitating extended aerial surveys with necessary equipment, such as an aerial camera system, will find this engagement beneficial. SMEs like Cheshire Flying Services Limited have successfully navigated this procurement, indicating that smaller entities with relevant expertise can effectively compete. Such projects can help businesses expand their portfolios and strengthen their presence in the public sector, fostering significant business growth.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

School of Biology/SMRU: Aircraft for the Aerial Survey of Grey Seal Breeding Colonies 2025

Notice Description

In September to December 2025, SMRU will carry out repeat aerial surveys of around 80 grey seal breeding sites around Scotland and along the east coast of England (with the aim to survey each colony 4 or 5 times throughout the season). We therefore require a twin-engine aircraft (with survey pilot) with 4-5 hours available flight time excluding reserve fuel time.

Lot Information

Lot 1

In September to December 2025, SMRU will carry out repeat aerial surveys of around 80 grey seal breeding sites around Scotland and along the east coast of England (with the aim to survey each colony 4 or 5 times throughout the season). We therefore require a twin-engine aircraft (with survey pilot) with 4-5 hours available flight time excluding reserve fuel time. Several flights will be to and from relatively remote airports such as Stornoway and Kirkwall. The aircraft must accommodate two SMRU staff and SMRU's aerial camera system (PAS150). Surveys will be carried out from mid-September 2025 until early January 2026 with 9 or 10 separate rounds of surveys (most of these taking 3 to 4 days each) spread through the season with approximately 10-day intervals between rounds. The total flying time is expected to be around 120 hours (which would probably mean around 135 hours engine time). We estimate a total number of approx. 40 flights conducted on around 30 different days will be needed. Overnights at various airports (e.g. Stornoway, Kirkwall, Perth, Norwich) will be required. Please see ITT for full details. Additional information: All tenders for the University of St Andrews are administered through our eTendering System (InTend).To Express an Interest please go to our tender website at https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews Please note that 'Notes of Interest' placed via PCS (Public Contracts Scotland) are not automatically accepted

Renewal: 2 x 12 month extensions subject to satisfactory annual review.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05295a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058777-2025
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

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

34711300 - Piloted aircraft

60424100 - Hire of aircraft with crew

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£145,972 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Sep 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Jul 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Aug 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of St Andrews
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GUARDBRIDGE
Postcode
KY16 0US
Postcode Area
Kirkcaldy
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM0 Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM01 Clackmannanshire and Fife
Delivery Location
TLM72 Clackmannanshire and Fife
Local Authority
Fife
Electoral Ward
Tay Bridgehead
Westminster Constituency
North East Fife

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Cheshire Flying Services Limited Trading as Ravenair

Further Information

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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