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Marine Research Vessel Refit, Maintenance, Equipment and Support Services Framework

National Oceanography Centre

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

18 Sep 2026 at 16:32

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

18 Aug 2026 at 14:56

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) intends to establish a framework for refit, maintenance, equipment and support services for its operational research vessels, including RRS James Cook and RRS Discovery, associated marine assets and scientific systems. The expected scope includes refit and docking, hull and structural work, propulsion, steering, tailshafts, rudders, marine engineering, fabrication, pipework, hydraulics, HVAC, electrical systems, interior works, maintenance and commissioning. It also covers original equipment manufacturer and approved-partner support for vessel systems, marine research and survey equipment, and the supply of hardware, spares, components and consumables. Specialist services may include naval architecture, surveying, superintendency, class liaison, project management and engineering consultancy. Work will be carried out at yards, ports and NOC sites in the United Kingdom and overseas, including wet berths and dry docks.

This procurement is at the planning and preliminary market-engagement stage; it is not yet an invitation to tender. NOC expects to use a competitive flexible procedure to establish an open framework, with call-offs made by direct award or further competition. The framework is planned to run from 1 August 2027 to 30 July 2035, for up to eight years. Its estimated total value is between £65 million and £100 million excluding VAT over the full term, with no guaranteed volume or value for appointed suppliers. The framework is expected to be divided into lots, but the lot structure, supplier numbers and call-off arrangements will be shaped through engagement. NOC expects the market engagement to conclude by December 2026 and the next procurement notice to be published by 15 January 2027. Supplier input is invited on scope, lots, capability records and framework operation.

The planned framework should suit shipyards, marine engineering contractors, equipment manufacturers, approved service partners, specialist marine consultancies, marine surveyors and suppliers of maritime hardware. Relevant capability includes wet-berth and dry-dock operations; vessel refit and classification-cycle work; structural, propulsion, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, HVAC and fabrication expertise; and the ability to mobilise to ports in the UK and overseas. Suppliers with experience of navigation, communications, information technology, operational technology, automation, energy management, safety and lifesaving systems may be well placed. The requirement also favours organisations able to install, integrate, calibrate, service and upgrade hydrographic, oceanographic and environmental survey systems. Decarbonisation and environmental retrofit expertise is of interest across the scope. NOC is inviting suppliers to help shape the future framework through questionnaires, meetings, demonstrations, workshops and site or yard visits.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Marine Research Vessel Refit, Maintenance, Equipment and Support Services Framework

Notice Description

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is looking to establish an open framework for the refit, maintenance, equipping and sustainment of its operational research vessels, including RRS James Cook and RRS Discovery, together with associated marine assets and scientific systems, across their working life. The support sought is expected to include the following broad areas, which are indicative and not exhaustive. Refit and docking support across the classification cycle, including the intermediate and special survey work falling due within it, broadly covering hull, structural and coating work, propulsion and steering intervention, tailshaft and rudder work, and the repair and renewal identified through survey. Both wet berth and dry dock coverage will be needed over the life of the framework, and the structure will be designed to accommodate suppliers offering either or both. General marine engineering and support capability, required both during refit periods and on an ongoing basis outside them, in the United Kingdom and overseas, broadly covering marine mechanical and electrical engineering, fabrication, pipework and hydraulics, HVAC, cabling and systems installation, interior works, running maintenance, defect rectification, modification, and commissioning and mobilisation to port. Support for critical vessel systems, from original equipment manufacturers and their approved partners, broadly covering propulsion, engines and gearboxes, navigation and bridge systems, communications and information and operational technology, electrical distribution and generation, safety and lifesaving systems, and control, automation and energy management, together with the inspection, overhaul, upgrade and certification these systems require. Support for marine research and survey systems, including supply, installation, integration, calibration, servicing and upgrade, broadly covering multibeam and singlebeam echo sounders, sub bottom profilers and acoustic positioning, oceanographic and environmental sensors and sensor packages, water column and seabed sampling systems, deck handling and over the side deployment equipment, and the associated data acquisition, processing and control infrastructure. Technical and professional marine services, independent of the yards, broadly covering naval architecture, marine surveying, superintendency, class liaison, project and programme management and specialist engineering consultancy. Supply of maritime hardware on a supply only basis, broadly covering equipment, spares, components and consumables, including original equipment manufacturer and approved equivalent parts. Capability for decarbonisation and environmental retrofit is of interest across all of the above. The framework is expected to be divided into lots. The lot structure, the number of suppliers appointed to each lot and the call off mechanisms will be confirmed following preliminary market engagement. Suppliers will be able to apply for one or more lots, and geographic capability, together with dry dock or wet berth capability, will be recorded at framework stage. NOC will be the sole contracting authority. The framework is expected to be established as an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023, with a duration of up to eight years, and will be reopened to new suppliers at points set out in the framework documents. Work will be ordered by call off contract on a task by task basis, covering both programmed and unplanned requirements, at yards, ports and NOC sites in the United Kingdom and overseas. Call off routes are expected to include direct award and further competition among the suppliers appointed to the relevant lot, with the applicable route set out in the framework at the outset. The estimated total value of the framework is estimated to be worth between PS65,000,000 & PS100,000,000 excluding VAT over its full duration. No guarantee of volume or value is given to any supplier appointed to the framework.

Planning Information

Purpose and scope of the engagement: NOC is undertaking preliminary market engagement ahead of establishing this framework. The purpose is to allow the market to shape it before any tender documents are prepared. Engagement will cover all aspects of the requirement set out above, including the grouping of services and the lot structure, the number of suppliers to be appointed to each lot, call off mechanisms, the recording of geographic and dry dock or wet berth capability, and the practical operation of an open framework over an eight year term. Nothing is fixed and supplier input may change any of it. How to express interest Suppliers wishing to take part should complete the registration form below: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xaKC8NASbR The form records supplier contact details and asks which engagement activities are relevant to your organisation. NOC will use it to issue invitations, questionnaires and further information. Registration remains open throughout the engagement period, although suppliers registering later may not be able to take part in activities already held. Engagement activities The activities that follow will depend on the responses received. They may include any of the following: - a further market engagement questionnaire - a general supplier day or briefing event - targeted one to one meetings with NOC - supplier presentations or demonstrations of relevant services, technology or capability - site visits, shipyard visits, workshop visits or operational demonstrations - written feedback on proposed service groupings or scope - collaborative or technical workshops Participation is voluntary and suppliers may take part in some, all or none of these activities. Locations and dates: Dates, formats and attendance arrangements are not yet fixed. NOC currently expects preliminary market engagement to conclude by December 2026 and will update the market if that period changes. Events may be held at NOC premises in Southampton or Liverpool, online, or at supplier, yard or workshop premises where a visit or demonstration is involved. Dates, venues and joining arrangements will be confirmed directly to registered suppliers. Clarification questions: Clarification questions should be sent by email to tenders@noc.ac.uk, quoting reference 2026PRNOC-1217 in the subject line. NOC will not respond individually where a question and its answer are of general application. Those will be issued to all registered suppliers with the identity of the questioner withheld. General: Participation is not a condition of taking part in any future procurement, and taking part or not taking part will neither advantage nor disadvantage any supplier. Information provided during engagement is indicative only and does not commit NOC to any particular scope, structure, value or timetable, or to proceeding with the procurement. Costs incurred by suppliers in taking part will not be reimbursed. One thing worth deciding before publication: whether general clarification responses go only to registered suppliers, as drafted, or are published more widely. Restricting them to the form registration list is defensible, but it does mean a supplier who reads the notice and does not register will not see them.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e6ac
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088885-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

50 - Repair and maintenance services

51 - Installation services (except software)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

34512000 - Ships and similar vessels for the transport of persons or goods

34513000 - Fishing, emergency and other special vessels

34930000 - Marine equipment

38290000 - Surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic and hydrological instruments and appliances

50240000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to marine and other equipment

50500000 - Repair and maintenance services for pumps, valves, taps and metal containers and machinery

51145000 - Installation services of marine engines

51200000 - Installation services of equipment for measuring, checking, testing and navigating

71300000 - Engineering services

98360000 - Marine services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 Jan 20273 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Aug 2027 - 31 Jul 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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