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BGS North Sea Late Cenozoic Environments

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

17 Aug 2026 at 16:47

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

30 Apr 2026 at 10:28

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation, through the British Geological Survey acting for the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling, is procuring offshore drilling services for the BGS North Sea Late Cenozoic Environments scientific campaign. The requirement is for marine coring capability and a suitable vessel to collect geological samples from the southern North Sea, in the waters of the Netherlands or Denmark. The work will support research into Earth’s climate, ecology, biodiversity and large river systems across approximately 3.3 million years of glacial and warmer periods, helping researchers understand environmental responses to modern warming. This is a specialist offshore services requirement, classified as offshore drilling services (CPV 76320000), combining vessel provision with marine drilling and coring operations.

The procurement has reached tender: UKRI invited offers through an open procedure. It is a single-lot services contract with an estimated value of EUR 15,000,000 gross. The tender submission deadline was 16 September 2026 at 14:00 BST, and enquiries were due by 3 September 2026 at 14:00 BST. The anticipated award decision date was 26 October 2026. The contract period runs from 9 November 2026 to 8 September 2027, with the scientific drilling and coring campaign expected to last 30 days between April and May 2027. Electronic submission is allowed and bids must be in English. Evaluation is weighted 60% technical and quality and 40% price. The lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This opportunity suits marine geotechnical, offshore drilling and oceanographic expedition specialists able to provide an appropriate vessel and an integrated coring operation. Suppliers will need the practical capability to work offshore in the southern North Sea and in Dutch or Danish waters, recover continuous marine sediment cores, and support a scientific drilling campaign. Relevant experience in vessel-based research operations, offshore mobilisation, drilling and coring, sample recovery, and working safely in variable marine conditions would position a supplier well. The requirement may also suit an SME with the necessary vessel access, specialist equipment, experienced marine crew and technical personnel, either directly or through established delivery partners. Technical and quality performance carries greater evaluation weight than price.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

BGS North Sea Late Cenozoic Environments

Notice Description

The British Geological Survey (BGS), acting on behalf of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD), requires a marine coring capability and suitable vessel to operate offshore southern North Sea, Netherlands or Denmark, for a scientific drilling and coring campaign for a period of 30 days (estimated) between April and May 2027. This scientific coring project seeks to extend our understanding of Earth's dynamics during the last 50 ice ages and the warmer periods between them. The North Sea Basin is an area that was heavily impacted by these ice age cycles as climate fluctuated between fully glacial to warmer-than-present conditions. The continuous sediment accumulation found in this marine environment should be thought of as a 'tape recorder' that contain an almost complete record of glacial-interglacial episodes, providing insight on Europe's past climate, ecology, and large river systems over the last ~3.3 million years. Relatively little is known about how Europe evolved during repeated ice age cycles. In this expedition, we aim to collect geological samples to gain insight into the baseline dynamics and thresholds for depositional and ecosystem regime shifts, as well as biodiversity turnover driven by rapid climate changes. This research will help us better understand the environmental responses to modern-day warming.

Planning Information

Interested parties are invited to express their interest in the upcoming tender opportunity. Please find details of the opportunity here: https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm00000AqHDVMA3&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068ee5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078280-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, 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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

76 - Services related to the oil and gas industry

CPV Codes

76320000 - Offshore drilling services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£15,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Sep 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
2 Jul 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
9 Nov 2026 - 8 Sep 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

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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