Award

Ecological sampling at Scottish Offshore Wind Farms

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

30 Dec 2025 at 08:56

Tender

10 Oct 2025 at 10:15

Planning

17 Sep 2025 at 13:09

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government, operating as the buying organisation, oversaw a procurement process for ecological sampling at Scottish offshore wind farms. The primary aim is to undertake marine sampling at various sites on the east coast of Scotland, with activities scheduled across three phases from winter 2025 through autumn 2026. This is part of the ECOCHANGE Project, contributing to insights into marine biodiversity and food web structures. The procurement falls under the services category, specifically marine research services, and follows an open procedure. The project is in the award stage, with the contract signed on 17th December 2025, and initiated its tender phase on 10th October 2025. The process was planned to ensure environmental considerations and subcontractor payment assurance within the supply chain, making it a forward-thinking and sustainable initiative.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses engaged in marine research and related sectors to contribute expertise and services to a high-profile, environmentally focused project. Companies capable of offering marine research services, particularly those that can demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and effective environmental management practices, will find this opportunity well-aligned with their capabilities. Additionally, the requirement for subcontracting presents further business prospects for vessel provision and specialist marine services, highlighting scope for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to contribute significantly, as demonstrated by the involvement of Karelle Fishing LLP and Ocean Ecology in contract delivery.

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Notice Title

Ecological sampling at Scottish Offshore Wind Farms

Notice Description

The Marine Directorate (MD) has a requirement for an external provider to undertake marine sampling for a selection of target species across a range of functional groups (e.g. fish, benthic and plankton) at four offshore wind farm sites and adjacent control areas, on the east coast of Scotland. Sampling will be carried out across 3 phases: winter 2025-spring 2026 , summer 2026 and autumn 2026. This sampling work will contribute to the ECOCHANGE Project (Consequences of Changes to Habitats and implications for a Net Gain Energy approach), led by the Scottish Government's Marine Directorate, alongside the University of Liverpool the University of Glasgow SUERC and funded by The Crown Estate's Offshore Wind Evidence and Change programme. The samples collected through this work will be analysed through a subsequent workstream (not included in the scope of this contract) and the data will ultimately provide insight into the food web structure within the North Sea marine ecosystem and how food webs may be impacted by OWF infrastructure. Understanding this relationship is crucial with the increase in development of OWFs to reach Net Zero targets. This work will shed light on the effect of OWF infrastructure on marine biodiversity which will inform Marine Enhancement and Nature Positive policies.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The procurement will follow an Open Procedure. 4C.4 Bidders must confirm that they will include the standard clause in all contracts used in the delivery of the requirements, ensuring payment of subcontractors at all stages of the supply chain within 30 days and include a point of contact for subcontractors to refer to in the case of payment difficulties. This will require active monitoring of payment performance and provision of evidence and reporting to the Scottish Government on a regular basis. Bidders who fail to answer "Yes" to this question will not have their tender considered further. 4C.7 Light Touch: Bidders will be required to confirm that they will employ environmental management measures that meet the following requirements: Evidence that their organisation has taken steps to build their awareness of the climate change emergency and consideration of how they will respond. This should include details of planned projects and actions to reduce the bidder's carbon emissions. 4C.10 Bidders will be required to confirm whether they intend to sub-contract and if so, for what proportion of the contract. Bidders must confirm that they will pay staff that are involved in the delivery of services under the contract, at least the real Living Wage. Any tenderer who answers "No" to this question will not be subject to further evaluation.

Renewal: There is a maximum of 3 months optional extensions.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059c49
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086365-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

03 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

03000000 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products

71354500 - Marine survey services

73112000 - Marine research services

90700000 - Environmental services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£359,210 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Dec 20251 months ago
Submission Deadline
10 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
28 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
17 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
5 Jan 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Name
Sophie Stark
Contact Email
sophie.stark@gov.scot
Contact Phone
+44 412425466

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 8LU
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

OCEAN ECOLOGY

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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