Award

CEFAS25-39 RFQ for Photographer & Videographer Services for Caribbean Survey 2026

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Award

15 Sep 2025 at 14:50

TenderUpdate

09 Jun 2025 at 14:33

TenderUpdate

09 Jun 2025 at 10:07

TenderUpdate

09 Jun 2025 at 06:54

Tender

06 Jun 2025 at 10:16

Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), a public authority under sub-central government, has concluded the procurement process for the contract CEFAS25-39, concerning Photographer & Videographer Services for the Caribbean Survey 2026. This project is tied to the UK Government's Blue Belt Programme, focusing on marine ecological conservation. The awarded contract is currently at the Award stage and was signed on 8th September 2025. Scheduled to commence in January 2026, the expedition covers locations including Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and the Cayman Islands. The survey is intended to enhance marine protection and scientific understanding, particularly in UK Overseas Territories, with the objective to document and showcase the UK Government's marine conservation efforts. The procurement followed an open competition process below the threshold, catering to services within the 'Photographic services' classification.

This contract presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in videography and photography, particularly those that can effectively communicate complex scientific narratives through impactful multimedia. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), such as Swimming Head Productions, which secured the contract, stand well-suited to compete in this arena due to the nature of the services required. The contract offers a platform to work alongside international marine conservation efforts, contributing to the globally significant Blue Belt Programme and enhancing reputations through high-profile projects. The narrative focus can also provide networking opportunities with UK and international scientific communities, alongside boosting visibility through international media exposure.

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Notice Title

CEFAS25-39 RFQ for Photographer & Videographer Services for Caribbean Survey 2026

Notice Description

The Blue Belt Programme is the UK Government's international marine conservation programme. It works closely with 10 UK Overseas Territories (UKOT) to assist them in creating and maintaining healthy and productive marine ecosystems. This programme has been central to the UK Government's ambition of leading action to tackle the serious global problems of overfishing, species extinction and climate change. Protecting over 4 million kilometres squared of ocean, the programme is vital in meeting the UK's commitments through the Global Biodiversity Framework, the 30by30 target, and UN Ocean Decade. In January 2026, the Blue Belt programme will undertake a scientific expedition around the Caribbean Islands of Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and the Cayman Islands, collectively representing around 365,000 km2 of UKOT seas. The survey will provide scientific research and capacity building across several scientific disciplines, including oceanographic, hydrographic and ecological studies. Research will include seafloor mapping, ocean biogeochemistry, and marine biodiversity monitoring. There will also be one day spent in port at each territory, providing an opportunity for engagement with UKOT communities and to accept visitors on board. Aligning with the 10-year anniversary of the Blue Belt Programme in 2026, the Caribbean Survey presents a significant and rare opportunity to showcase UK marine science capability and outreach in the Caribbean UK Overseas Territories. It builds on the success of previous surveys, such as the Discovery 159 expedition around the islands of Ascension and St Helena in 2022. The research generated from this expedition continues to support these territories in managing and protecting their marine protected areas. The expedition also raised national and international awareness of the programme through an award-winning documentary 'Voyage of Discovery' narrated by Ellie Goulding, extensive media coverage, and a digital campaign reaching over 14,000 accounts. We are keen to build on this success with the communication outputs from the 2026 Caribbean expedition. We are looking for an experienced, passionate storyteller who can communicate our story through powerful imagery and film footage to a diverse range of audiences, from school children, students, scientists, environmentalists, and policy makers. The details In total, the survey will last 44 days (12 days per Overseas Territory plus transit between) and will provide scientific and capacity building support. The scientific and technical crew will board the RRS James Cook, a multidisciplinary vessel, in the Dominican Republic on the (13/01/2026), before sailing to Anguilla (15/01 - 26/01) for the first leg of the survey. After this, the vessel will transit to Turks and Caicos (29/01 - 09/02) before heading to the Cayman Islands (13/02-25/02). The expedition will conclude in Tampa, Florida (28/02/2026). Dates are still subject to some variation so the Supplier must have availability a few days either side of this. Cefas will arrange all travel for the successful supplier and their equipment to and from the mobilisation and de mobilisation locations. Requirement: On behalf of The Blue Belt Programme, the Supplier will provide videography and photography services that can support the on board Blue Belt Communications Lead to achieve the following objectives: * Capture impactful imagery and video material to significantly enhance Blue Belt outreach and storytelling. Bring to life activities undertaken on the survey to effectively explain how the survey will support the UKOTs, grow scientific understanding and enhance marine protection. * Showcase and raise awareness of the value of the scientific survey within the broader context of global ocean threats and the importance of high-quality data for evidence driven decision-making related to marine protected area, such as assessments of marine pollution, fisheries sustainability, and biodiversity monitoring. * Document innovative scientific activity and new research methods conducted in remote and unique locations that are previously uncharted and not known to science. * Describe a wide range of marine biodiversity. * Through personal stories demonstrate the 'people behind' Blue Belt science impact, including interviews with the crew and documenting capacity building support provided to UKOTs through training and development opportunities. * Deliver timely communications outputs to capture activity on board and ensure high quality content across a broad range of activities. * Identify interesting and engaging stories throughout the journey and opportunities for visual storytelling to ensure that they are captured for communications. Example content required: Content will focus on capturing the scientific work being undertaken, biodiversity encountered and the collaboration between UK and Overseas Territories' colleagues. Examples include: * Video interview/clips from scientists, Overseas Territory representatives and other Blue Belt partners on-board, detailing work they are doing and why. * Photos of interesting and eye-catching marine species the survey encounters. * Images of the UKOTs themselves, their unique features and biodiversity, the individuals from the territories and scientific work undertaken there. * Capture images or video of equipment being used and deployed as part of the survey. * Document collaboration, knowledge sharing and training between UK and UKOT colleagues. * Wide shots of the vessel, scientific equipment in use and marine/overseas territory landscape using drone footage. * Live stream footage from the ship into UKOT/UK schools to showcase work, hear from scientists and give a flavour of life on board. Deliverables: 1. To collect footage for 3 X 5 min film, or one full length 15 min documentary film to be delivered at the end of the expedition. (mp4). 2. Selection of 50 x pieces of 'best bits' footage varying from 30 seconds -2 mins long (mp4) to be delivered after the expedition. Up to 15 pieces of short reels/footage to be delivered throughout the expedition for social media/comms purposes. 3. 3-5 talking head videos edited and posted through the expedition. 4. To collect 100 X high-quality photos for use in other Blue Belt comms materials (JPEGS). 5. Transfer of all content to Cefas in the required file formats by SharePoint secure link or We Transfer.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05443c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056654-2025
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
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79952000 - Event services

79961000 - Photographic services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£35,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£35,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£25,750 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
7 Jul 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
10 Sep 2025 - 1 Jun 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Not specified
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

SWIMMING HEAD PRODUCTIONS

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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