Award

Provision of Lead for Fixed Ballast, RRS Sir David Attenborough

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

17 Dec 2025 at 12:07

Award

20 Nov 2025 at 09:26

Tender

22 Oct 2025 at 15:31

Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), located in Swindon, Wiltshire, has successfully completed the procurement process for the provision of lead ballast required for the RRS Sir David Attenborough, an ice-class research ship. The tender, under an open procedure, involved procurement of 477 tonnes of lead to correct the ballast in the ship's aft. Significant dates in the procurement cycle include the contract's active period commencing on 4th December 2025 and stipulated completion by 30th September 2026. Calder Industrial Materials Ltd was awarded the contract, valued at approximately £1.93 million, for delivery in the United Kingdom.

This procurement presents strategic growth opportunities for businesses specialised in supplying heavy industry materials and acoustics technologies. The contract required lead protected to suppress noise and vibration, an essential factor for operations involving research equipment. Businesses skilled in producing lead materials, particularly those catering to maritime and research facilities, would be well-suited to similar upcoming projects that demand high-quality goods to stringent standards. The completion of this project by Calder Industrial Materials Ltd demonstrates potential engagement opportunities for other suppliers in the SME sector, particularly in regions focused on marine technology and industrial materials supply.

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Notice Title

Provision of Lead for Fixed Ballast, RRS Sir David Attenborough

Notice Description

RRS Sir David Attenborough is an Ice class research ship that operates in the polar regions for UKRI research activities. The ship is very heavy towards the bow due to the ice strengthening. To correct the Ballast the ship requires 477 tonnes of lead ballast in the aft of the ship. The lead is to be inserted in man handleable blocks into a specially designed void space within the aft peak ballast tank. The lead requires to be protected to prevent noise and vibration transmitting through the hull that would interfere with the acoustic equipment and create vibration.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d1f0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083779-2025
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

14 - Mining, basic metals and related products


CPV Codes

14712000 - Lead

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£1,933,519 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£1,933,519 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
17 Nov 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
4 Dec 2025 - 30 Sep 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)
Contact Name
Kate Richardson
Contact Email
nercprocurement@ukri.org
Contact Phone
01793 442000

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Post Town
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

CALDER INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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