Award

Civil Hydrography Programme Sample Analysis

MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

20 Mar 2026 at 15:08

Award

20 Mar 2026 at 15:05

Award

20 Mar 2026 at 14:53

Summary of the contracting process

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), a central government public authority, has completed the procurement process for the "Civil Hydrography Programme Sample Analysis" project. Located in Southampton, the MCA is commissioning the British Geological Survey (BGS) for Particle Size Analysis on sediment samples connected with the UK Civil Hydrography Programme (CHP). This direct procurement, classed as below threshold without competition, recognised BGS as the sole supplier capable of fulfilling the MCA's requirements. The contract, with a gross value of £110,400, was awarded on 19 March 2026 and is scheduled to begin on 2 April 2026, running until 31 May 2031, with possible extensions until 31 March 2033 under the existing Memorandum of Understanding.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses specialising in research services within the hydrographic and geological sectors. Organisations with advanced technical capabilities and expertise in particle analysis are particularly well-suited to such projects, albeit this contract was directly awarded to BGS due to its unique qualifications. While direct procurement limits competition in this instance, it underscores the importance of sector-specific expertise and partnerships with government agencies for obtaining future contracts. For SMEs and VCSEs, the tender's suitability classification suggests potential openings for similar projects when expertise aligns with procurement needs.

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Notice Title

Civil Hydrography Programme Sample Analysis

Notice Description

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) intends to commission the British Geological Survey (BGS) to undertake Particle Size Analysis (PSA) on sediment samples collected as part of the MCA-managed UK Civil Hydrography Programme (CHP). This recommendation is made in accordance with Schedule 5, paragraph 6(a) of the Procurement Act 2023. The BGS has been identified as the only supplier capable of meeting the Authority's requirements within the scope of the current need, due to its specialist technical capability and sector-specific expertise, which are essential to the delivery of the services.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067086
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025872-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£92,000 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
19 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
1 Apr 2026 - 31 May 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode
SO15 1EG
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
Banister & Polygon
Westminster Constituency
Southampton Itchen

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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