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CEFAS25-83 Contract for Underwater Forest Study & Citizen Initiative

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

09 Sep 2025 at 09:02

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), a public authority under sub-central government in the UK, has completed a procurement process for a project titled "CEFAS25-83 Contract for Underwater Forest Study & Citizen Initiative." This initiative falls under the Marine research services category, with activities centred in Lowestoft, UK. The awarding of the contract was concluded on 4th September 2025, with an operational period extending from 5th September 2025 until 31st March 2026. The procurement was conducted through a direct method without competition, as it fell below the threshold. The primary goal of this initiative is to advance community science in coastal health, building on previous pilot work conducted by the National History Museum Trading Company Ltd, the awarded supplier.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses involved in marine research, community science, and environmental consultancy. Companies with expertise in managing community science studies, data collection, and coastal monitoring will find this contract particularly relevant. Additionally, firms with capabilities in developing partnerships with NGOs and government bodies for scientific research will find opportunities to expand their networks and enhance their service offerings. The focus on engaging existing citizen science organisations and creating a comprehensive toolkit suggests further potential for those specialising in volunteer recruitment, resource development, and data management services.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

CEFAS25-83 Contract for Underwater Forest Study & Citizen Initiative

Notice Description

The Coastal Health programme would like to build upon the previous community science work carried out by NHM in the pilot phase of the programme through the following activities. Underwater Forests community science study: * Maintain the existing study of Underwater Forests, supporting existing volunteers to collect data. * Curate the data and make it publicly available. * Evaluate the quality of the data collected. * Produce a final report summarising: * The methods chosen and trialled to recruit volunteers, collect and curate data on coastal organisms as indicators of coastal health, * Key findings from the data collected, * Findings from the evaluation exercise and recommendations for future Coastal Health community science studies. Community Science for Healthy Coasts: * Building on initial engagement led by the NHM under the pilot phase of Coastal Health, identify and engage with existing citizen science organisations and partnerships that undertake coastal monitoring, to help Cefas establish a network/partnership for advancing coastal health through community science, including NGOs, government bodies and existing coastal partnerships. * Building on the findings of the Underwater Forests study, work with the above partnership to develop a toolkit for a future coastal health-focused community science monitoring study to address gaps in existing monitoring programmes. The contents of this toolkit may include methods and recommendations for: recruiting volunteers, user-testing resources, data collection and quality assurance protocols, and communication approaches. Deliverables: 1. A summary report of the methods, findings and evaluation of the Underwater Forests Community Science study. To be delivered by - 20th March 2026 2. Underwater Forests survey data to be made open access on NHM data ecosystem. To be delivered by - As soon as possible and no later than 20th March 2026 3. A toolkit for a coastal health community science study that supports the monitoring of the health of UK coastal ecosystems. To be delivered by - 20th March 2026 4. Reporting progress and risks at a monthly meeting with Cefas and providing quarterly financial and progress reports to the programme board. To be delivered monthly and quarterly, ending by 31st March 2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059651
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054875-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73112000 - Marine research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£62,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Sep 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Sep 20257 months ago
Contract Period
4 Sep 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM TRADING

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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