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Provision of Life Saving Appliances Certification for the RSS James Cook

National Oceanography Centre

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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12 Aug 2026 at 14:54

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The National Oceanography Centre bought life-saving and fire-safety appliance assessment and certification services for the RRS James Cook, a research vessel. The work covered the vessel’s annual servicing, inspection, testing and certification during its refit. Equipment included portable and wheeled fire extinguishers, self-contained breathing apparatus and cylinders, emergency escape breathing devices, immersion suits, fireman suits, fire hoses, hydrants, nozzles and foam-filled lifejackets. It also covered galley wet-chemical and carbon-dioxide systems, the main carbon-dioxide system, fire detection and water-mist systems, foam stations, replacement extinguishers, associated cylinders and hoses, and labour for removal and refitting. The supplier was also required to issue the relevant certification. This is a specialist marine safety certification services requirement managed by the Centre in Southampton.

The procurement has been awarded and the tender is complete. The National Oceanography Centre selected PFC MARINE LTD through a direct, below-threshold procedure without competition. The contract was signed on 31 July 2026 and runs from 31 July to 31 October 2026. Its value is £25,163 excluding VAT, or £30,195.60 including VAT. The award covers one lot and one supplier. Evaluation was conducted within the direct-award route rather than through a competitive tender. The requirement relates to the 2026 refit period scheduled for August to September, while the contract period extends through October. The selected supplier is a small or medium-sized enterprise, and the contract remains active following the award.

This procurement shows demand from a national oceanographic research organisation for a broad, vessel-based package of safety appliance servicing and certification. A credible future competitor would need marine experience and the technical capability to inspect, test, service and certify both portable equipment and integrated shipboard fire and life-saving systems. Relevant capability includes work on extinguishers, breathing apparatus, emergency escape equipment, immersion and fireman suits, hoses, hydrants, nozzles, lifejackets, carbon-dioxide and wet-chemical systems, fire detection, water mist and foam installations. Suppliers would also need to manage removal and refitting safely during a vessel refit, provide replacement equipment and cylinders where required, and produce recognised certification across the completed scope. The incumbent’s SME status indicates the requirement can be delivered by a focused specialist rather than only a large prime contractor.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Life Saving Appliances Certification for the RSS James Cook

Notice Description

This contract is for the provision of assessment and certification services during the upcoming refit of RRS James Cook, scheduled for August to September 2026. The services relate to the current year's annual servicing, inspection, testing and certification of fire-fighting appliances and life-saving appliances on board the vessel. This includes portable and wheeled fire extinguishers, SCBA equipment and cylinders, EEBDs, immersion suits, fireman suits, fire hoses, hydrants, nozzles, foam-filled lifejackets, galley wet chemical and CO2 systems, the main CO2 system, fire detection and water mist systems, foam stations, replacement extinguishers, associated CO2 cylinders and hoses, labour for removal and refitting, and the issue of relevant certification.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e2ca
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076859-2026
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
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79132000 - Certification services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£25,163 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 Jul 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Jul 2026 - 31 Oct 2026 1-6 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

PFC MARINE LTD

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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