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Uncrewed Ocean Surface Vehicle (USV)

Cardiff University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

05 Oct 2026 at 10:42

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff University is seeking an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) for its School of Physical, Chemical and Environmental Sciences, to support teaching, research and innovation in marine science, hydrographic surveying and marine robotics. The purchase covers a portable, modular survey vessel for practical fieldwork in coastal waters, ports, harbours, estuaries, inland waters and sheltered bays. It must fit in the rear of a standard SUV or pickup and be deployable by a small team without specialist lifting equipment. The USV is intended to give students and researchers hands-on access to autonomous survey technology without relying on crewed survey vessels. It will be delivered in Cardiff, Wales.

The buyer invited offers through an open competition for a single lot. The clarification deadline was 16 October 2026 at 16:00, and the bid deadline was 23 October 2026 at 12:00. The contract period is 7 December 2026 to 7 June 2027. The estimated value is £100,000. Offers are assessed on price (60%), quality (30%) and environmental, social and governance considerations (10%).

This requirement suits suppliers of uncrewed marine platforms and hydrographic survey equipment, including smaller businesses. The vessel needs at least seven hours’ operation on one battery charge, low-maintenance construction, shore-based remote control and teleconnected operation, and support for pre-programmed routes and real-time changes to survey parameters and data collection. Situational awareness and collision avoidance are required. It must produce no direct operational emissions, create minimal underwater and airborne noise, and be under 2.5 metres long to support regulatory compliance. Compatibility with Cardiff University’s existing NORBIT multibeam sonar is strongly preferred. Hot-swappable batteries and an autocast sound-velocity profiler winch are desirable; easy, low-cost addition and removal of sensors is also valued. Suppliers should be able to demonstrate safe, flexible operation across varied field environments and a strong approach to sustainability.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Uncrewed Ocean Surface Vehicle (USV)

Notice Description

The School of Physical, Chemical and Environmental Sciences (PACES) seeks to procure a modern uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) to support teaching, research and innovation in marine science, hydrographic surveying and marine robotics. The platform will significantly enhance practical field teaching by providing students with access to contemporary autonomous survey technology that reflects current industry practice. The acquisition aligns with the strategic direction of UK marine science, where autonomous systems are increasingly central to national marine research infrastructure and offshore operations. It will provide students with experience of the technologies and operational workflows that are now expected across the marine sector, improving graduate employability and strengthening links with industry. The proposed system will expand the University's field teaching capability by increasing the number and diversity of environments in which practical survey exercises can be undertaken. In addition to coastal waters, the platform should be suitable for deployment in ports, harbours, estuaries, inland waters and sheltered bays, creating greater flexibility for undergraduate teaching and postgraduate research. Its portability will also enable deployment during residential field courses and support independent student projects and dissertations, providing more authentic, hands-on learning opportunities throughout the academic year while improving accessibility and inclusivity by allowing students to participate in advanced survey operations without requiring access to crewed survey vessels. To maximise operational flexibility, the USV should be readily transportable by a small team and capable of deployment without specialist lifting equipment. The platform must therefore be person-portable and of modular construction, enabling it to fit within the rear of a standard SUV or pickup vehicle for transportation between field sites. The system should be designed for low maintenance and provide a minimum operational endurance of seven hours on a single battery charge, allowing uninterrupted operation throughout a full teaching or survey day. Hot-swappable battery carriages would be highly desired. The School requires a platform capable of both remote operation from shore and teleconnected operation, providing safe and effective survey capability without personnel entering the water. The system should support the creation and execution of pre-programmed navigation tracks and permit real-time editing of survey parameters and data acquisition whilst underway. Compatibility with the University's existing NORBIT multibeam sonar system is considered very highly desirable/near-essential, allowing integration with existing survey equipment and reducing additional capital expenditure. Safety, environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance are fundamental requirements. The platform should incorporate situational awareness and collision avoidance capabilities to support safe autonomous operations. It must produce zero direct emissions during operation, generate minimal underwater and airborne noise, and avoid pollution of the operating environment. To facilitate straightforward regulatory compliance and minimise operational burden, the vessel should have an overall length of less than 2.5 metres, enabling operation within the scope of the exemptions outlined in MGN 702(M) Amendment 1. Lastly, we would consider an autocast sound-velocity profiler winch highly desirable, and the ability to add/remove other sensors ad hoc, cheaply, and with ease of compatibility as a strong basis for choosing the final vessel.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078079
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/093684-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
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)

CPV Codes

34513550 - Survey vessels

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£100,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Oct 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
23 Oct 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Dec 2026 - 7 Jun 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Cardiff University
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF24 4HQ
Postcode Area
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
TLL22 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

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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