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Autonomous Underwater Research Vehicles

Cardiff University

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

14 Oct 2025 at 10:15

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

18 Sep 2025 at 16:18

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

17 Sep 2025 at 09:58

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process led by Cardiff University involves the acquisition of Autonomous Underwater Research Vehicles, aimed at enhancing the UK's capabilities for polar sea-bed survey. This initiative addresses the need to fill an existing gap in survey assets that are currently reliant on costly infrastructures. The procurement falls within the industry category of goods related to surveying instruments and survey vessels. This process has reached the award stage, as of 14th October 2025, and it involves a contract with Planet Ocean Limited, an SME based in Camberley, United Kingdom. The project, governed by Welsh devolved regulations, specifically seeks to develop prototypes that can operate in Antarctic sea-floor environments, contributing to low-cost, low-logistics deep-water AUV swarms. The contract period stretches from 6th October 2025 to 31st December 2026, and the direct award procurement method has been justified by market conditions and specified research requirements.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for enterprises specialising in the development and supply of advanced surveying equipment and autonomous vehicle technology. Companies having expertise in prototyping and those capable of meeting the technological and financial requirements outlined by the UKRI-NERC will find themselves well-suited to compete in this domain. The emphasis on developing a robust network for Antarctic exploration can allow involved businesses to expand their innovation capabilities and cultivate a competitive edge in the evolving market for environmentally adaptable research infrastructures. By contributing to such cutting-edge projects, businesses can reinforce their positioning in the public procurement sector while advancing their involvement in critical environmental research endeavours.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Autonomous Underwater Research Vehicles

Notice Description

This project proposes to enhance UK capabilities for polar sea-bed survey, specifically filling an important gap in assets currently occupied by costly infrastructure and resource-heavy robotic systems.

Procurement Information

Against the criteria set out in Market Conditions, only one supplier is able to offer something that meet all requirements, technologically and financially. In addition to this, there are numerous developments and prototyping which must take place to make the existing units fit for the research purpose, in the number required, and within the budget given by UKRI-NERC. These prototypes must at minimum be Antarctic sea-floor environment accessible, and form part of a low-cost, low-logistics deep water AUV swarm.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059bf1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065038-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

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

CPV Codes

34513550 - Survey vessels

38296000 - Surveying instruments

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£605,094 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£605,095 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Oct 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Sep 202511 months ago
Contract Period
6 Oct 2025 - 31 Dec 2026 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Cardiff University
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF24 4HQ
Postcode Area
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Planet Ocean 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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