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UKRI-4855 North Sea Late Cenozoic Environments

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

26 Feb 2026 at 10:56

UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Award

03 Nov 2025 at 14:41

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

22 Aug 2025 at 11:07

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

06 Aug 2025 at 11:56

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, titled "UKRI-4855 North Sea Late Cenozoic Environments," is managed by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), a public authority under central government. The process involves scientific drilling and coring operations offshore in regions like the southern North Sea, Netherlands, or Denmark, focusing on geological research during the last 50 ice ages. Initially published in August 2025, various stages including tender and award have been completed with the most recent update in February 2026, indicating the tender's cancellation due to technical issues. The procurement method used was open procedure, with engagement spanning between June and September 2026. This project involves analysis in the scientific research services category, and covers offshore drilling and core drilling services. Key dates previously involved include the tender deadline extension to 12 September 2025 and further updates into late 2025 and early 2026.

The tender creates opportunities for businesses specialising in marine operations, particularly those with capabilities in offshore drilling services. Companies like Fugro UK Limited, a large enterprise with prior involvement, would be ideal candidates due to their experience and resource availability. This contract is significant in scope, involving substantial financial engagement of about 15 million euros. Businesses equipped to provide the required vessel, drill rig, and operational personnel will find promising opportunities for growth and collaboration with UKRI. Such initiatives contribute extensively to the understanding of climate and ecological impacts, making them not only commercially valuable but also scientifically significant.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-4855 North Sea Late Cenozoic Environments

Notice Description

The British Geological Survey (BGS), acting on behalf of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD), requires a marine coring capability and suitable vessel to operate offshore southern North Sea, Netherlands or Denmark, for a scientific drilling and coring campaign for a period of 30 days (estimated) between June and September 2026 This scientific coring project seeks to extend our understanding of Earth's dynamics during the last 50 ice ages and the warmer periods between them. The North Sea Basin is an area that was heavily impacted by these ice age cycles as climate fluctuated between fully glacial to warmer-than-present conditions. The continuous sediment accumulation found in this marine environment should be thought of as a 'tape recorder' that contain an almost complete record of glacial-interglacial episodes, providing insight on Europe's past climate, ecology, and large river systems over the last ~3.3 million years. Relatively little is known about how Europe evolved during repeated ice age cycles. In this expedition, we aim to collect geological samples to gain insight into the baseline dynamics and thresholds for depositional and ecosystem regime shifts, as well as biodiversity turnover driven by rapid climate changes. This research will help us better understand the environmental responses to modern-day warming. The Contractor must be able to supply the full operational spread including a drill rig, the vessel, and all personnel required to operate the spread. The drilling platform must be capable of recovering core to at least 1200m below seafloor in shallow water depths (28m or 60m). UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice: 2025/S 000-014119

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-058255
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/017206-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

76 - Services related to the oil and gas industry

CPV Codes

76320000 - Offshore drilling services

76340000 - Core drilling

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
£14,883,062 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
12 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Nov 20259 months ago
Contract Period
1 Dec 2025 - 30 Sep 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Fugro UK Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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