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Provision of Ocean Bottom Seismometers

National Oceanography Centre

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

03 Nov 2025 at 10:23

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

09 Oct 2025 at 11:59

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

05 Sep 2025 at 17:37

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

05 Sep 2025 at 17:28

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The National Oceanography Centre, a public authority within the sub-central government, has completed a procurement process for the provision of ocean bottom seismometers (OBS). Located in Southampton, UK, the purchase supports deep-ocean research and involves supplying a pool of broadband seismometer systems, along with a complete deck communication and seabed-ranging system. This tender falls under the industry category of surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic, and hydrological instruments and appliances. Using an open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, the contract was awarded on 3rd November 2025, with equipment delivery required by 31st March 2026 to enable mobilisation for Spring 2026 expeditions.

This procurement presents valuable opportunities for businesses specialising in marine research and seismological equipment, particularly those capable of offering long-duration deployment solutions for varied seabed conditions. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the aforementioned industry category will find this tender especially conducive to growth, given that the National Oceanography Centre has employed an open procurement method, allowing any qualified supplier to tender. The provision for optional purchases and renewals within the contract offers additional avenues for business expansion, ensuring long-term partnerships and sustained opportunities for suppliers adept in adapting to evolving technological standards and requirements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Ocean Bottom Seismometers

Notice Description

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has entered into a contract following an open procedure conducted under section 20(2)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023. The competition allowed any interested and qualified supplier to submit a tender, and the process was carried out in full compliance with the Act and associated Regulations. All tender documentation, including the specification, was made available through the MyTenders portal. Evaluation was undertaken in accordance with the published Invitation to Tender methodology. This included compliance checks against mandatory requirements and pass/fail criteria, scoring of qualitative and technical responses against weighted criteria, pricing evaluation using the stated formula, and overall ranking based on combined quality and price scores to identify the most economically advantageous tender. Due diligence checks were completed prior to award, and a mandatory standstill period was observed before contract signature. Under this contract, the supplier will provide a pool of broadband ocean-bottom seismometer (OBS) systems for deep-ocean research, together with one complete deck communications and seabed-ranging system, plus commissioning support, documentation and warranties. These systems will support geohazard monitoring, seismic and acoustic studies, and wider marine science. Delivery is required by 31 March 2026 to enable mobilisation for Spring 2026 expeditions. The OBS pool will be deployed worldwide, including depths of at least 6,000 m, across a broad temperature range, and must support long-duration deployments on varied seabed conditions for both passive and active seismic studies. The contract includes: - Fully delivered pricing for three options detailed in Schedule 6, each including the deck communications system. - Deployment consumables for each instrument (anchors, burn wire where applicable, batteries for extended deployments). - Complete documentation covering assembly, deployment, recovery, data workflows and safety considerations. - Commissioning support to bring the pool into service. Warranties and servicing: The supplier will warrant electronic and datalogger components, sensors and mechanical elements for at least 12 months and provide any manufacturer-advised servicing or calibrations for the seismometer within the first five years of ownership. Future compatible firmware, software and data processing updates are also included. Logistics and timetable: All equipment, consumables and documentation will be delivered no later than 31 March 2026 to enable pre-cruise testing, training and mobilisation for the Spring 2026 expedition window. Delivery includes all logistics necessary to place the equipment into NOC's custody, ready for commissioning activities.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Single-unit purchase Informational pricing is requested for the purchase of one additional OBS unit. This option provides flexibility for incremental expansion if additional funding becomes available after contract award. It also serves as a contingency measure if an instrument is lost or damaged and needs to be replaced to maintain operational continuity. Single-unit rental Informational pricing is requested for the rental of one OBS unit. This option offers a short-term solution if manufacturing lead times or logistics threaten the Spring 2026 deployment schedule. It can also be used to temporarily increase the instrument pool for specific campaigns without committing to a full capital purchase. Extended warranty A year-on-year renewable warranty is available for up to four additional years beyond the initial 12-month warranty period. This extension ensures long-term support, predictable maintenance costs and continued access to servicing and updates. Each extension can be exercised annually at the buyer's discretion, providing flexibility to align with budget cycles and asset management plans. The Authority reserves the right to consider refurbished OBS units as part of future capability requirements. Should the market demonstrate that refurbished units offer a viable value-for-money solution, the Authority may initiate a separate procurement process or modify the awarded contract, subject to regulatory compliance. The Authority may consider contract modification under Section 74(1)(a) and Schedule 8(1) & (5) of the Procurement Act 2023 to include additional or refurbished OBS units, should the successful supplier be capable of supplying them and should such a need arise post-award.

Renewal: Extended warranty A year-on-year renewable warranty is available for up to four additional years beyond the initial 12-month warranty period. This extension ensures long-term support, predictable maintenance costs and continued access to servicing and updates. Each extension can be exercised annually at the buyer's discretion, providing flexibility to align with budget cycles and asset management plans. These extensions also cover the optional uptakes covered within the ITT.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059555
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070335-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38290000 - Surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic and hydrological instruments and appliances

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£360,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£370,833 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Nov 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
30 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Oct 202510 months ago
Contract Period
1 Nov 2025 - 31 Mar 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
2029-09-05

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
National Oceanography Centre
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode
SO14 3ZH
Postcode Area
Southampton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ32 Southampton
Delivery Location
TLJ32 Southampton
Local Authority
Southampton
Electoral Ward
Bargate
Westminster Constituency
Southampton Itchen

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

GURALP SYSTEMS LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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