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

National Oceanography Centre

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 Aug 2026 at 14:56

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The National Oceanography Centre intends to establish a framework for refitting, maintaining, equipping and supporting its operational research vessels, including RRS James Cook and RRS Discovery, and associated marine assets and scientific systems. The scope covers docking and survey work, hull and structural repairs, propulsion, steering, mechanical and electrical engineering, fabrication, pipework, hydraulics, HVAC, cabling, systems installation, maintenance and commissioning. It also includes manufacturer or approved-partner support for critical vessel systems, marine research and survey equipment, technical services such as naval architecture and marine surveying, and the supply of maritime hardware, spares and consumables. Decarbonisation and environmental retrofit capability is of interest. Work will take place at yards, ports and NOC sites across the United Kingdom and overseas.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the buyer has announced its intention to procure and will undertake preliminary market engagement before publishing the tender. It expects to use a competitive flexible procedure to establish an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023, with call-offs made task by task through direct award or further competition. The framework is expected to have one or more lots, with the final structure, supplier numbers and call-off routes confirmed after engagement; suppliers should be able to apply for multiple lots. The planned framework period is 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2035. Its estimated total value is between £65 million and £100 million excluding VAT, with no guaranteed volume or value. The next notice is expected on 30 November 2026.

The framework should suit shipyards, dry-dock and wet-berth operators, marine engineering and fabrication contractors, equipment manufacturers, approved service partners, marine technology specialists, engineering consultancies and maritime hardware suppliers. Relevant capability may include vessel refit and classification-cycle survey work, propulsion and power systems, marine mechanical and electrical engineering, hydraulics, HVAC, coatings, pipework, controls, automation, navigation, communications, safety systems and energy management. Suppliers able to install, integrate, calibrate, service or upgrade hydrographic, oceanographic and environmental survey systems may be well placed, as may providers of naval architecture, marine surveying, superintendency, class liaison and project management. Geographic coverage in the UK or overseas, and dry-dock or wet-berth capacity, will be recorded. The opportunity is intended to accommodate SMEs and suppliers offering specialist or broader capabilities.

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. Please note NOC intends to conduct preliminary market engagement before publishing the tender notice. Suppliers interested in taking part will be able to register through the details published with the preliminary market engagement notice.

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/078599-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline 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

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

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

31120000 - Generators

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 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Nov 20264 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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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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