Tender

CEFAS25-91 ITT for provision of mudflat monitoring surveys at Hinkley Point C

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

24 Nov 2025 at 14:51

Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) is inviting tenders for the provision of mudflat monitoring surveys at Hinkley Point C, under the title "CEFAS25-91 ITT for provision of mudflat monitoring surveys at Hinkley Point C". This project falls within the environmental services category and is situated in the United Kingdom, specifically focusing on the areas around Bridgwater Bay and Wick St. Lawrence. The tender is currently in the procurement stage, with the submission deadline set for 7th January 2026. The contract implementation is expected to commence in mid-February 2026, extending initially until 31st December 2028, with the possibility of two further extensions of 12 months each. This open procedure tender, valued at £170,000, aims to ensure compliance with environmental monitoring requirements primarily concerning the Baltic tellin bivalve species.

This tender presents considerable business growth opportunities. Environmental consultancy firms, particularly those with expertise in marine biology, ecological monitoring, and the capacity to implement scientific surveys, are well-suited to compete. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to apply, as the procurement process supports such organisations. Given the nature of the work involving regular data collection and analysis, businesses with logistical capabilities, specialised equipment, and scientific expertise will find this contract opportunity advantageous. Furthermore, engaging with a high-profile project like Hinkley Point C could significantly enhance a firm's reputation in the industry.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

CEFAS25-91 ITT for provision of mudflat monitoring surveys at Hinkley Point C

Notice Description

The BEEMS (British EDF Estuarine and Marine Studies) programme is funded by NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited. Through this programme, Cefas provide authoritative scientific information on the marine and transitional waters in the vicinity of potential new build nuclear power stations and require a competent Supplier to deliver the element described below. Cefas require services to conduct intertidal mudflat monitoring surveys for the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Nuclear New Build project to meet regulatory environmental monitoring requirements. The ongoing mudflat monitoring programme focuses on a bivalve species, the Baltic tellin, Macoma balthica. This species is a key component of the Hinkley Point mudflat community and was identified, during the HPC environmental impact assessment process, as potentially sensitive to localised seawater temperature increases brought about by the cooling water discharges from HPC. As such, biological samples and physical measurements are collected every year. The monitoring programme is focussed on mudflat intertidal areas around Bridgwater Bay and at a reference site in Wick St. Lawrence, located to the north of the bay. The Contract implementation is expected to start mid-February 2026 and the initial Contract period will end 31 December 2028, with the option to extend by 2 further periods of 12 months each to maximum end date of 31 December 2030. Scope of Requirements: Biological samples are collected at all the sampling stations in high shore and low shore and require the following: a) Six replicate macrofauna samples are collected using a 0.01 m2 corer to a depth of 15 cm. Each sample is placed in a sealed plastic bag and transported via private courier to a third-party laboratory for macrofauna analysis. The courier service, arranged by the Supplier, ensures delivery to the Cefas appointed UK based laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Alternative approaches to this analysis method are welcomed and should be outlined within your proposal. (Figure 2) b) Some mud is then shovelled into a 1 mm mesh sieve and sieved on site to collect up to 75 Macoma balthica individuals by hand using tweezers for population dynamic analysis. Samples are stored in a plastic ziplock bags (Figure 3). If only small individuals are found, an additional 10 - 15 larger individual (>1 cm width) must be collected for the condition index measurements and placed in a separate ziplock bag for a condition assessment. Samples are stored in a fridge or in cool box to keep individuals alive for processing at the end of the sampling day. These are then sent to the Lowestoft Cefas Laboratory. c) Sediment samples are collected using a 50 ml plastic syringe with a truncated tip to sample the first 2 cm of sediment as a core (five replicate). Four of the five samples (for pigment and nutrient analysis) are pooled together in a plastic ziplock bag to account for small scale variability and one sample is stored in a pot for Particle Size Analysis. Samples are stored in dry ice for the duration of the survey. These are then sent to the Lowestoft Cefas Laboratory. Physical measurements are carried out at the low shore stations only and require the following: a) Temperature and pressure sensors (Star-Oddi's Data Storage Tag DST centi-TD) are deployed on metal stakes (Figure 4) at the five low shore stations on stakes (see Figure 1). The sensors, which remain in situ, record temperature continuously and data need to be uploaded on a quarterly basis. Biological samples must be collected twice a year during spring tide windows in February and in August. Physical measurement surveys must be carried out four times a year, in February, May, August and November. Note that the biological and physical measurements in February and August are completed during the same survey.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e78e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076538-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79311000 - Survey services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£170,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£170,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Nov 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
7 Jan 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
9 Feb 2026 - 31 Dec 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
2029-09-01

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procure@cefas.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05e78e-2025-11-24T14:51:33Z",
    "date": "2025-11-24T14:51:33Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05e78e",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PPGW-5299-JGTN",
            "name": "CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PPGW-5299-JGTN"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Pakefield Road",
                "locality": "Lowestoft",
                "postalCode": "NR33 0HT",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKH14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procure@cefas.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PPGW-5299-JGTN",
        "name": "CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "C31980",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "CEFAS25-91 ITT for provision of mudflat monitoring surveys at Hinkley Point C",
        "description": "The BEEMS (British EDF Estuarine and Marine Studies) programme is funded by NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited. Through this programme, Cefas provide authoritative scientific information on the marine and transitional waters in the vicinity of potential new build nuclear power stations and require a competent Supplier to deliver the element described below. Cefas require services to conduct intertidal mudflat monitoring surveys for the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Nuclear New Build project to meet regulatory environmental monitoring requirements. The ongoing mudflat monitoring programme focuses on a bivalve species, the Baltic tellin, Macoma balthica. This species is a key component of the Hinkley Point mudflat community and was identified, during the HPC environmental impact assessment process, as potentially sensitive to localised seawater temperature increases brought about by the cooling water discharges from HPC. As such, biological samples and physical measurements are collected every year. The monitoring programme is focussed on mudflat intertidal areas around Bridgwater Bay and at a reference site in Wick St. Lawrence, located to the north of the bay. The Contract implementation is expected to start mid-February 2026 and the initial Contract period will end 31 December 2028, with the option to extend by 2 further periods of 12 months each to maximum end date of 31 December 2030. Scope of Requirements: Biological samples are collected at all the sampling stations in high shore and low shore and require the following: a) Six replicate macrofauna samples are collected using a 0.01 m2 corer to a depth of 15 cm. Each sample is placed in a sealed plastic bag and transported via private courier to a third-party laboratory for macrofauna analysis. The courier service, arranged by the Supplier, ensures delivery to the Cefas appointed UK based laboratory within 24 hours of collection. Alternative approaches to this analysis method are welcomed and should be outlined within your proposal. (Figure 2) b) Some mud is then shovelled into a 1 mm mesh sieve and sieved on site to collect up to 75 Macoma balthica individuals by hand using tweezers for population dynamic analysis. Samples are stored in a plastic ziplock bags (Figure 3). If only small individuals are found, an additional 10 - 15 larger individual (>1 cm width) must be collected for the condition index measurements and placed in a separate ziplock bag for a condition assessment. Samples are stored in a fridge or in cool box to keep individuals alive for processing at the end of the sampling day. These are then sent to the Lowestoft Cefas Laboratory. c) Sediment samples are collected using a 50 ml plastic syringe with a truncated tip to sample the first 2 cm of sediment as a core (five replicate). Four of the five samples (for pigment and nutrient analysis) are pooled together in a plastic ziplock bag to account for small scale variability and one sample is stored in a pot for Particle Size Analysis. Samples are stored in dry ice for the duration of the survey. These are then sent to the Lowestoft Cefas Laboratory. Physical measurements are carried out at the low shore stations only and require the following: a) Temperature and pressure sensors (Star-Oddi's Data Storage Tag DST centi-TD) are deployed on metal stakes (Figure 4) at the five low shore stations on stakes (see Figure 1). The sensors, which remain in situ, record temperature continuously and data need to be uploaded on a quarterly basis. Biological samples must be collected twice a year during spring tide windows in February and in August. Physical measurement surveys must be carried out four times a year, in February, May, August and November. Note that the biological and physical measurements in February and August are completed during the same survey.",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "79311000",
                        "description": "Survey services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 204000,
            "amount": 170000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome All bids to be submitted via the above eProcurement system.",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-07T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-12-18T17:00:00Z"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-26T23:59:59Z"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 204000,
                    "amount": 170000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 65,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Social Value",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "name": "Price",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 25,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "selectionCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "economic",
                            "description": "As per Bidder Pack"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "technical",
                            "description": "As per Bidder Pack"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-02-09T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2028-12-31T23:59:59Z",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2030-12-31T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "2 x 12 month extensions"
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest"
            },
            {
                "id": "076538-2025",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076538-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-11-24T14:51:33Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ],
        "hasRecurrence": true,
        "recurrence": {
            "dates": [
                {
                    "startDate": "2029-09-01T23:59:59+01:00"
                }
            ]
        },
        "contractTerms": {
            "financialTerms": "As per Bidder Pack"
        },
        "riskDetails": "Prolonged Adverse Weather. Due to tidal limitations on the surveys, prolonged adverse weather could impact the ability to obtain the dataset for a specific month. This could result in additional costs and/or contract extension in order to meet the requirements. Unable to address the risk upfront as weather is beyond control of Buyer or Supplier. Proportionate mitigation for some weather risk is provided for in the Contract. Risk assigned to both parties. Change in frequency of survey requirements. Due to changing requirements from Hinkley Point C, frequency or timings of surveys could change. This could result in additional costs in order to meet the requirements. Unable to address the risk upfront as neither Buyer or Supplier has control over the Hinkley Point C project planning or regulatory requirements. Proportionate mitigations provided for in the Contract. Risk assigned to Buyer."
    },
    "language": "en"
}