Award

CEFAS25-122 ITT to provide RPA flights in Sizewell region for BEEMS project

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

03 Feb 2026 at 14:56

Tender

15 Dec 2025 at 12:49

Summary of the contracting process

In this public procurement process, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), a sub-central government authority based in Lowestoft, UK, awarded a contract for the BEEMS (British EDF Estuarine and Marine Studies) project in the Sizewell region. The contract, titled "CEFAS25-122 ITT to provide RPA flights in Sizewell region for BEEMS project," involves providing aerial data collection services using Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) for environmental monitoring. The procurement process followed an open procedure, culminating in an award notice published on 3 February 2026. The contract is set to begin on 16 February 2026 and is initially set to run until 31 December 2028, with two potential one-year extensions. This procurement falls under the industry category of survey services and takes place in the United Kingdom.

This tender opens significant opportunities for businesses specialising in aerial data services, particularly those capable of providing RPA flights for environmental monitoring. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) like StirlingX Limited, which was contracted, are well-suited for this type of work. The long contract period with possible extensions provides a potential for steady demand for such services. The involvement of SMEs suggests that smaller firms with technical expertise in survey services and those within close proximity to operational regions like Sizewell will find this contract appealing for business growth. The opportunity to offer additional flights and manage the logistics under the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines demonstrates a flexible environment ideal for adaptable businesses with a focus on technological solutions in environmental surveillance.

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Notice Title

CEFAS25-122 ITT to provide RPA flights in Sizewell region for BEEMS project

Notice Description

The BEEMS (British EDF Estuarine and Marine Studies) programme is funded by NNB Generation Company Sizewell C (NNB GenCo SZC). 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 Supplier to deliver the element described below. To support the delivery of the BEEMS Programme, Cefas require the Supplier to provide aerial data collection using a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in the Sizewell to Thorpeness region on a quarterly basis. It is anticipated that the first flight will be undertaken in March 2026 and the final flight in December 2028 (with extension options as per point 4). On occasion, additional flights may be required, therefore Cefas requests a day rate cost in Appendix 6, for flights of a similar nature in the vicinity of Sizewell area. The purpose of this work is to safely conduct regular RPA flights in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines at the above locations for the purpose of acquiring survey data to meet environmental monitoring requirements. The Supplier's flight team will manage the planning, notifications, and safe execution of each survey. The Contract implementation is expected to start 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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f5a7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009536-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

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
£165,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£165,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
19 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Feb 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
16 Feb 2026 - 31 Dec 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Holly Power
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

STIRLINGX

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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