Award

Syntactic Foam Requirement for Underwater Vehicles

NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

24 Oct 2025 at 09:51

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The National Oceanography Centre, a sub-central government public authority located in Southampton, United Kingdom, has completed the procurement process for a contract titled "Syntactic Foam Requirement for Underwater Vehicles." This tender falls under the industry category of plastic products and is aimed at the supply of highly specialised syntactic foam for integration into an autonomous underwater vehicle. The procurement process, completed through a limited method due to the niche market, concluded with Alseamar, a French SME, being awarded the contract. This contract commenced on 26th September 2025 and is scheduled to conclude on 12th December 2025 for a value of €65,780.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for companies specialising in advanced materials and precision manufacturing, particularly those with capability in producing deep-water syntactic foam products. The narrow competition due to the limited suppliers in this niche market indicates potential for growth for businesses capable of meeting such specialised requirements. SMEs with expertise in precision machining and niche marine products would find themselves well-suited to undertake similar procurement opportunities, thereby enabling expansion within highly specialised sectors.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Syntactic Foam Requirement for Underwater Vehicles

Notice Description

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) require the supply of 6000m-rated syntactic foam, machined to specified shapes, for integration into a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle (ALR 6000). The contract includes manufacture, precision machining, and delivery within a 14-week lead time. The foam is a highly specialised deep-water material, with limited known market. Following requests for quotation ALSEAMAR was the only supplier to respond with a compliant offer. The material will be supplied directly by ALSEAMAR to meet the technical and performance requirements of the ALR build program and maintain the project schedule.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d325
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068092-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - limited competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

19 - Leather and textile fabrics, plastic and rubber materials

CPV Codes

19520000 - Plastic products

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£65,780 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
25 Sep 2025 - 12 Dec 2025 1-6 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
NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
noc_tenders@noc.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode
SO14 3ZH
Post Town
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
Not specified
Local Authority
Southampton
Electoral Ward
Bargate
Westminster Constituency
Southampton Itchen

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ALSEAMAR

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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