This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

23 Sep 2025 at 01:00

Tender

30 May 2025 at 01:00

Summary of the contracting process

The University of St Andrews has completed a procurement process for the "School of Biology/SMRU: Aircraft for the Aerial Survey of Grey Seal Breeding Colonies 2025." This contract involves providing a twin-engine aircraft, with a survey pilot, for conducting aerial surveys of grey seal breeding sites from September 2025 to early January 2026. The procurement falls under the services category and was conducted via an open procedure. The aircraft will operate primarily from the UK region of St Andrews, covering areas in Scotland and along the east coast of England. The award notice, with document ID SEP539775, was issued on 23 September 2025, marking the completion of the contract stage, with the contract signed on 25 August 2025.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in aviation services, especially those capable of providing aircraft that meet the specified requirements. Companies that can offer tailored aerial survey solutions, including the necessary flight time and capacity for specialised equipment, would find this contract appealing. Given the procurement method favours open competition, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in aviation fitting these criteria could particularly benefit and use this as a growth opportunity by establishing a relationship with a renowned educational institution like the University of St Andrews.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

School of Biology/SMRU: Aircraft for the Aerial Survey of Grey Seal Breeding Colonies 2025

Notice Description

In September to December 2025, SMRU will carry out repeat aerial surveys of around 80 grey seal breeding sites around Scotland and along the east coast of England (with the aim to survey each colony 4 or 5 times throughout the season). We therefore require a twin-engine aircraft (with survey pilot) with 4-5 hours available flight time excluding reserve fuel time.

Lot Information

Lot 1

In September to December 2025, SMRU will carry out repeat aerial surveys of around 80 grey seal breeding sites around Scotland and along the east coast of England (with the aim to survey each colony 4 or 5 times throughout the season). We therefore require a twin-engine aircraft (with survey pilot) with 4-5 hours available flight time excluding reserve fuel time. Several flights will be to and from relatively remote airports such as Stornoway and Kirkwall. The aircraft must accommodate two SMRU staff and SMRU's aerial camera system (PAS150). Surveys will be carried out from mid-September 2025 until early January 2026 with 9 or 10 separate rounds of surveys (most of these taking 3 to 4 days each) spread through the season with approximately 10-day intervals between rounds. The total flying time is expected to be around 120 hours (which would probably mean around 135 hours engine time). We estimate a total number of approx. 40 flights conducted on around 30 different days will be needed. Overnights at various airports (e.g. Stornoway, Kirkwall, Perth, Norwich) will be required. Please see ITT for full details.. All tenders for the University of St Andrews are administered through our eTendering System (InTend).To Express an Interest please go to our tender website at https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews Please note that 'Notes of Interest' placed via PCS (Public Contracts Scotland) are not automatically accepted

Renewal: 2 x 12 month extensions subject to satisfactory annual review.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000799694
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539775
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)


CPV Codes

34711300 - Piloted aircraft

60424100 - Hire of aircraft with crew

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£145,972 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Sep 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Jul 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Aug 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of St Andrews
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GUARDBRIDGE
Postcode
KY16 0US
Postcode Area
Kirkcaldy
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM0 Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM01 Clackmannanshire and Fife
Delivery Location
TLM72 Clackmannanshire and Fife

Local Authority
Fife
Electoral Ward
Tay Bridgehead
Westminster Constituency
North East Fife

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Cheshire Flying Services Limited Trading as Ravenair

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...