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CEFAS26-75 ITT for provision of pelagic trawler vessel for the IESNS survey

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

04 Sep 2026 at 09:45

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

23 Jul 2026 at 09:42

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) procured research vessel services (CPV 63726800) from a pelagic trawler for the UK component of the International Ecosystem Survey in the Nordic Sea. The vessel supports acoustic-trawl surveying of Norwegian spring-spawning herring, blue whiting and other pelagic fish, including continuous acoustic transects, directed mid-water trawling, biological sampling, plankton sampling and hydrographic measurements. The work also produces fish biomass and recruitment indices and gathers information on ecosystem conditions. Cefas will provide at least six scientists to oversee operations. Activity covers waters between 62° and 69° North and 13° West and 6° East, with embarkation and disembarkation at a Scottish mainland port such as Fraserburgh or Peterhead.

The procurement is complete and the contract was awarded to Sunbeam Fishing Limited on 3 September 2026. It used an above-threshold open procedure, with four bids received. The award value is £1,215,000 excluding VAT (£1,458,000 including VAT). The awarded contract runs from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027, with two 12-month renewal options extending the maximum period to 30 September 2029. There was one lot, open to SMEs and VCSEs. Selection required economic and technical criteria set out in the Bidder Pack. Evaluation weighted technical quality at 70%, social value at 10% and pricing at 20%. A contract signature milestone was scheduled for 30 September 2026.

This requirement demonstrates demand for commercial fishing vessels capable of supporting marine science surveys at sea. Credible competitors would need a pelagic trawler of at least 50 metres length overall, with split-beam echosounders operating at 38 and 200 kHz, preferably equivalent to SIMRAD ES80 or EK80 equipment. The skipper and crew need experience deploying mid-water trawls and targeting herring and blue whiting in the study area. The vessel must accommodate six to eight scientists, provide safe spaces for catch processing, acoustic data work and plankton samples, and have freezing capacity of at least 2.5 cubic metres. Further essentials include suitable winching equipment, UK and international fishing safety compliance, an accredited valid CMID, robust vessel assurance, required marine and liability insurance, and active health, safety, environmental and quality systems.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

CEFAS26-75 ITT for provision of pelagic trawler vessel for the IESNS survey

Notice Description

Cefas requires a pelagic trawler, suitably equipped to participate in an acoustic-trawl survey. The survey is part of the international IESNS (International Ecosystem Survey in the Nordic Sea), a collaboration between Icelandic, Faroe, Norwegian, EU and UK research institutes which has been conducted since 1997. The survey is carried out to investigate distribution and migrations of the Norwegian Spring-spawning herring, blue whiting and other pelagic fish, and to produce a biomass index for herring and a recruitment index for blue whiting. The survey will cover the southern end of the distributional range of the spring-spawning herring population. Furthermore, data on the hydrographic conditions and plankton distribution will be obtained to investigate the possible effects of the ecosystem on the distribution and abundance of target fish species. 3. Estimated Contract Value The estimated Contract value is PS400,000 (excluding vat) per survey / per annum. 4. Duration of the Contract The initial Contract period will be for 12 months from 1 April 2027 - 31 March 2028. Within that period, the actual survey is for a maximum of 13 days within the period of 20/04/2027 - 20/05/2027. Subject to confirmation of funding on an annual basis, further surveys in subsequent years may be required. If confirmed, these will be conducted within the same time period each year. The Contract will therefore include extension options for up to 2 further years, to be confirmed on an annual basis. Please note that there is no guarantee of further work beyond the initial Contract period. 5. Aims and Objectives The main objectives of the survey will be to: * carry out a predetermined survey cruise track collecting fisheries acoustic data * collect biological samples by directed trawling on insonified fish echotraces to determine species composition, size, age structure and maturity stage of target pelagic species. * collect physical oceanography data from vertical profiles (CTD). * collect plankton samples using ring-nets Cefas will provide a minimum of 6 scientists to oversee the survey operations, working with the vessel to deliver the scientific objectives of the survey. 6. Scope of Requirements 6.1. Survey activity An acoustic-trawl survey to map and quantify herring and blue whiting. This will be performed by continuously (24h) running acoustic transects and carrying out ad hoc midwater trawling within the survey area. Additional objectives will include collection of plankton and hydrographical data in the study area. 6.2. Survey area and time of operation The UK survey component will take place between Latitudes 62deg and 69deg North and Longitudes 13deg West and 6deg East (see full specification in bidder pack for total survey area and example of UK component in green). The survey will be a total of approximately 13 days and will be conducted within the period 20/04/2027 - 31/05/2027. The vessel must be available for 13 consecutive days (this excludes time to calibrate the echosounders in a suitable port as well as transit from berth port to requested mobilisation port) within this period and ideally commencing at the start of this period. Embarkation and disembarkation is required to take place in a Scottish mainland port e.g. Fraserburgh, Peterhead. 6.3. Vessel specification * The vessel must be a pelagic trawler with a length range of 50+ metres LOA * The vessel must be equipped with a working echosounder operating at 38 and 200 kHz (additional frequencies are preferrable but not mandatory). The frequencies must be split-beam. The preferred model of the echosounder is the SIMRAD ES80/EK80, although other models with equivalent scientific capability will be considered: (ES60, EK60) * The vessel must have a mid-water trawl with a vertical opening of approximately 30 m and skipper and crew must have experience deploying this gear and a track record of targeting herring and blue whiting in the study area. The trawl must have a codend liner, protruding from the brailer with a mesh size of 4 cm or less. * The vessel must have a block and winch capable of deploying 1000m of wire to deploy a small plankton net (mouth diameter 50 cm, 2.60m height) and a CTD sonde. * The vessel must have freezing facilities of at least 2.5 cubic meters for the biological samples. * The vessel must have berthing availability for a minimum of 6 (up to 8) scientific personnel. * The vessel must have a safe working space to sort and process the catch (measuring fish, collect biological samples), including a suitable sorting table and a processing bench space for up to three people. * The vessel must have a safe and dry working space for scientists to monitor and process the acoustic data. * The vessel must have a safe working space to process and store the zooplankton samples. This may involve the use and storage of chemicals (formaldehyde) and an oven (provided by the Authority) to dry the sample. * The vessel must comply with the safety standards required for fishing vessel operations in the UK and international waters. 6.4. Permissions Cefas will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions and licences to undertake survey operations within the survey area of operation; however the Supplier may need to provide Marine Management Organisation / The Crown Estate with the details of specific survey activity ahead of commencement of work to fulfil licence requirements. Cefas may require the Supplier to provide information relating to permissions in order to publish a Kingfisher Bulletin notice. 6.5. Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) An in-date valid CMID will be required from an accredited CMID inspector before the commencement of the survey. Cefas reserve the right not to progress with the contract if the proposed vessel(s) fails to meet the requirements of the Cefas vessel assurance standards. Where the vessel will be carrying out lifting or fishing/trawling procedures as part of the contracted work the vessel assurance process will require them to demonstrate the safe operation, effective maintenance and compliance of the equipment in line with any relevant maritime legislation. 6.6. Special provisions relating to safety of taking scientists to sea The Supplier must demonstrate that the vessel and crew can safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of project staff. Project staff from Cefas will be under instructions to ensure that all standard safety at sea items and procedures are adequate before each sailing. Confirmation to sail will be subject to physical inspection/survey of the proposed vessel and successful sign-off of the vessel assurance process and documents which will be facilitated by Cefas staff. It is a requirement of the MCA for the skipper to give an explanation to project staff of the vessel risk assessment and health and safety regime, including the stowage and use of life saving appliances, the procedures in an emergency, and escape routes before embarking on each voyage. Safety briefings shall be carried out prior to departure (e.g. procedures in event of fire, medical emergency, abandon ship etc.). 7. Insurances The Supplier must procure and maintain the following insurances for the duration of the contract: * Employer's (Compulsory) Liability Insurance = PS5million * Public Liability Insurance = PS5million * Professional Indemnity Insurance = PS5million * Product Liability Insurance = Not applicable * Marine Hull Insurance - with a limit of no less than the value of the Vessel; * Protection and Indemnity - PS2,000,000 limit - with cover equivalent to the cover provided to members of the International Group Protection and Indemnity Associations; and * General Third-Party Liability - PS5,000,000 limit - covering bodily injury and property damage, to the extent not covered by the above. 8. Health and Safety The Supplier is required to have a pro-active approach to health and safety and provide details of any certifications held. 9. Accident / Incident Reporting Cefas request that an initial report of any accidents or near miss incidents (to any person on board) that occur during contract delivery, are to be reported by telephone or email within 24 hours to the Cefas Scientist in charge (SIC). In addition to the initial report above, Cefas require a full report on all accidents or near miss incidents is delivered at the end of the contract, when all services are complete. 10. Environmental and Quality Assurance The Supplier is required to have appropriate Environmental and Quality Management systems and processes in place to provide assurance to Cefas. The Supplier will provide details of any certifications held such as ISO9001 and14001, but these are not mandatory. Following completion of each survey, the Supplier will provide Cefas with a report which includes; the vessel engine capacity, distance travelled and fuel used. The Supplier will also provide a statement to confirm any incidents of lost gear or disposal of gear, and how this was managed ethically and sustainably

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Subject to confirmation of funding on an annual basis, further surveys in subsequent years may be required. If confirmed, these will be conducted within the same time period each year. The Contract will therefore include extension options for up to 2 further years, to be confirmed on an annual basis. Please note that there is no guarantee of further work beyond the initial Contract period.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d178
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083750-2026
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

63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

CPV Codes

63726800 - Research vessel services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£400,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£1,215,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Sep 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Oct 2026 - 30 Sep 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LOWESTOFT
Postcode
NR33 0HT
Postcode Area
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

Sunbeam Fishing LTD

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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