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Provision of Marine Autonomous Systems Insurance Services

National Oceanography Centre

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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30 Jul 2026 at 13:50

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The National Oceanography Centre, based in Southampton, procured specialist marine insurance services for its fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), underwater gliders and autonomous robotic systems. The requirement also covers associated support equipment and other ancillary assets connected with operating this marine autonomous systems fleet. This is a services procurement focused on protecting technically specialised oceanographic equipment and the supporting assets needed for its operation. Relevant suppliers are marine insurance providers, brokers and risk advisers able to understand autonomous underwater technology, marine operations and the insurance risks associated with research and support equipment. The buyer is a public authority operating in the oceanography sector, so the requirement is particularly relevant to firms serving research, marine technology or specialist transport insurance clients.

The procurement has been completed and the contract was awarded to Marsh Limited. It was a single-lot, below-threshold direct award made without competition. The contract was signed on 21 July 2026, with a contract period from 21 July 2026 to 1 July 2027. The awarded contract value is £135,606 gross. The selected service is marine, aviation and other transport insurance services, specifically applied to the Centre’s marine autonomous systems and related assets. Marsh Limited is the active awarded supplier and the contract is active. The recorded route was a direct procurement rather than an open or competitive tender, so the outcome reflects a buyer requirement fulfilled through a non-competitive below-threshold process.

This procurement demonstrates demand from the National Oceanography Centre for insurance tailored to autonomous underwater vehicles, gliders, robotic marine systems, support equipment and ancillary assets. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need specialist marine insurance expertise and the ability to assess risks across autonomous systems, underwater operations, research activity and associated equipment. Relevant capability may include designing or broking cover for complex marine technology, understanding operational and asset risks, and managing insurance arrangements for a technically demanding public-sector client. Larger insurance groups, specialist marine brokers and firms with access to suitable underwriting capacity are likely to be best placed to demonstrate the breadth of expertise and service capability needed for this type of requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Marine Autonomous Systems Insurance Services

Notice Description

Provision of specialist marine insurance covering the National Oceanography Centre's fleet of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), gliders, autonomous robotic systems, associated support equipment and ancillary assets.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d7aa
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072204-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

CPV Codes

66514120 - Marine, aviation and other transport insurance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£135,606 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Jul 2026 - 1 Jul 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
National Oceanography Centre
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
SO14 3ZH
Postcode Area
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
Bargate
Westminster Constituency
Southampton Itchen

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Marsh Limited

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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