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Provision of an Automated Seawater Total Alkalinity Analysis System

National Oceanography Centre

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

16 Sep 2026 at 14:06

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The National Oceanography Centre bought an automated flow-through total alkalinity analysis system for continuous underway measurement in marine research. The requirement covers supply, installation and commissioning, with associated software, integration support, training, warranty and initial consumables to bring the system into operational service. It will collect high-resolution total alkalinity data alongside existing underway pCO₂ measurements, supporting characterisation of the marine carbonate system and ocean acidification research. This is a goods procurement for an analyser (CPV 38434000), delivered in Southampton. The buyer is a public-sector oceanographic research organisation, so relevant suppliers are those able to provide and support specialist marine or laboratory analysis equipment in a research environment.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded. It used a below-threshold direct award without competition. PLANET OCEAN LIMITED was selected for the single lot. The contract was signed on 20 August 2026 and runs from 20 August 2026 to 19 August 2027. Its value is £41,000 excluding VAT, or £49,200 including VAT. The published information identifies the award as an active award and the contract as active. The procurement was evaluated through the direct-award route rather than a competitive tender, and the recorded outcome is the appointment of PLANET OCEAN LIMITED to provide the analyser system and associated commissioning and support requirements.

For a supplier considering future work with the National Oceanography Centre, this procurement demonstrates demand for integrated scientific instrumentation rather than a standalone piece of equipment. A credible competitor would need to supply an automated flow-through total alkalinity analyser suitable for continuous underway marine measurements, and support its installation and commissioning. Relevant capability also includes software provision or integration with existing underway pCO₂ measurement systems, user training, warranty support and initial consumables. Experience of delivering reliable analytical equipment for oceanographic, marine-carbonate or ocean-acidification research would strengthen a future proposition. The requirement was met by an SME supplier, indicating that a specialist equipment business with the necessary technical support capacity can serve this buyer.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of an Automated Seawater Total Alkalinity Analysis System

Notice Description

Supply, installation and commissioning of an automated flow-through total alkalinity analysis system for continuous underway measurement in marine research applications. The contract may include associated software, integration support, training, warranty and initial consumables required to bring the system into operational service. The system will support the collection of high-resolution total alkalinity data alongside existing underway pCO2 measurements to enhance characterisation of the marine carbonate system and support ocean acidification research.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06fb35
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087796-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38434000 - Analysers

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£41,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
20 Aug 2026 - 19 Aug 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

Planet Ocean Ltd

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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