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Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme

Scottish Government

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

02 Oct 2026 at 13:28

Award Notice
Tender

28 Nov 2025 at 15:36

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government commissioned the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme to coordinate surveillance of stranded cetaceans, seals, sharks and marine turtles across Scotland and investigate causes of death. The work includes maintaining a database of stranding events, storing and managing tissue samples, and producing annual and end-of-contract reports. Findings support statutory reporting commitments, including the UK Marine Strategy and reporting to OSPAR and ICES. The service also involves developing the volunteer network where needed to improve reporting and investigations. This is specialist marine wildlife research and veterinary investigation work, with post-mortem investigations carried out at the supplier’s premises.

The procurement is complete and the contract is active. The Scottish Government used an open procedure, and the University Court of the University of Glasgow was selected for the single lot. The contract was signed on 3 September 2026. Its stated service period runs from 7 April 2026 to 6 April 2029, with two optional 12-month extensions, potentially to 6 April 2031. The contract value is £825,000. The original submission deadline was 9 January 2026. Evaluation combined quality and price: requirements and delivery (35%), staff competence, knowledge and experience (25%), timetable (15%), contract management (15%), corporate and social responsibilities (5%) and Fair Work First (5%); price was weighted at 30%. Quality responses used a 0–4 scoring scale, while the supplier questionnaire was pass/fail.

This award shows demand for a specialist, coordinated service combining marine animal stranding surveillance, post-mortem investigation, data management, tissue-sample handling and statutory reporting. A credible competitor would need demonstrated experience delivering comparable services, suitably qualified staff and technicians, appropriate facilities and technical equipment, and the capacity to manage investigations across Scotland. The requirement also favours strong quality-management arrangements: an independently accredited ISO 9001 (or equivalent) certificate, or a documented, senior-authorised quality policy that is regularly reviewed. Suppliers need robust financial standing, including relevant turnover, insurance, a current ratio above the required threshold and positive net profit. Environmental management measures and clear arrangements for any subcontracting are also relevant. Evaluation placed substantial weight on delivery understanding and staff expertise, alongside timetable and contract management, so evidence of a well-managed, technically capable service is central.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme

Notice Description

The aim of the project is to provide a coordinated approach to the surveillance of cetacean, seal, sharks and marine turtle strandings, and to investigate causes of death of stranded animals in Scotland. Where required, efforts should be made to expand and develop the established volunteer network to improve reporting and strandings investigations.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Scottish Marine Strandings Scheme (SMASS) has been in operation since 1992, with principal aim of providing a coordinated approach to the surveillance of cetacean, seal, shark and marine turtle strandings, and to investigate major causes of death of stranded animals in Scotland. Along with undertaking these investigations, SMASS maintains an online database of stranding events as well as hosting annual and end of contract reports on their website. Archived tissue samples from strandings attended by the SMASS team or members of the volunteer network are also stored and managed under the SMASS programme. The data collected is used to inform reporting commitments under statutory obligations (e.g. UK Marine Strategy, OSPAR, ICES).

Renewal: Two 12 month options to extend up to 6 April 2031.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05eb48
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093352-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

73112000 - Marine research services

85200000 - Veterinary services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£825,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£825,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Oct 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
9 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Apr 2026 - 6 Apr 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
July 2030.

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Scottish Government
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ABERDEEN
Postcode
AB11 9DB
Postcode Area
Aberdeen
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM5 North Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Aberdeen City
Electoral Ward
Torry/Ferryhill
Westminster Constituency
Aberdeen South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

University Court of the University of Glasgow

Further Information

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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