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Ultrasonic Protection Draggone

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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14 Oct 2026 at 12:01

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) bought an extension to the DRAGGONE ultrasonic hull-protection system fitted to the research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough. The system prevents microbiological growth and algae from building up on the hull, helping to prevent invasive species being transferred into and out of protected zones such as Antarctica. The extension covers sea inlets and other spaces open to the sea that the existing installation does not protect. This is a specialist marine equipment requirement, rather than a general supply of testing instruments. The vessel is the stated setting for the work; no separate delivery location is identified.

The procurement is complete: UKRI awarded the single lot directly to Cathelco Ltd without competition, using a below-threshold procedure. The contract was signed on 5 October 2026 and runs from 5 October to 31 December 2026. Its value is £101,350 excluding VAT (£121,620 including VAT). The award is active and the contract is active. The published procurement data gives no separate award date or evaluation criteria; the route was a direct award without competition, so there was no competitive evaluation basis stated.

This award shows UKRI’s demand for specialist ultrasonic marine systems that protect vessel hulls and seawater openings from microbiological and algal growth, with the aim of limiting invasive-species transfer around protected environments. Suppliers seeking to compete for a similar requirement would need credible experience in marine biofouling protection and the technical ability to extend or integrate equipment with an existing shipboard installation, including coverage of sea inlets and spaces open to the sea. Familiarity with research-vessel operating conditions and the environmental purpose of preventing species transfer would be relevant to demonstrating fit. The incumbent supplier was a large company, indicating delivery by an established provider, although the procurement does not state formal capacity thresholds or required accreditations.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Ultrasonic Protection Draggone

Notice Description

This project is an extension to the system that is currently installed on RRS Sir David Attenborough. DRAGGONE is an ultrasonic system that prevents build up of microbiological animals and algae on the hull. This then prevents the transfer of invasive species in and out of protected zones like Antarctica. This system will extend the current one fitted to include sea inlets and spaces open to the sea that are not covered by the current system.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078762
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096938-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

38900000 - Miscellaneous evaluation or testing instruments

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£101,350 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
5 Oct 2026 - 31 Dec 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
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CATHELCO LIMITED

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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