This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

24 Jul 2026 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Natural Heritage, trading as NatureScot, is currently in the tender phase for the procurement of a new Marine Survey Vessel. The procurement process is aimed at acquiring a replacement vessel and trailer for NatureScot’s current 24-year-old rigid hull inflatable boat. The vessel will facilitate marine environmental monitoring across various habitats within Scotland’s inshore waters. Located in Inverness, this open procedure has set a deadline for submissions by 24th August 2026. With a contract value estimated at £188,000, the contract award is expected to commence on the same date as the deadline. The project is categorised under the "Environmental Protection" sector and is designed for electronic submissions through Public Contracts Scotland.

This tender presents considerable growth opportunities for businesses specializing in marine vessel design and manufacturing, particularly those with capabilities in delivering versatile and robust platforms suitable for scientific and operational activities. Companies with a track record in constructing vessels capable of supporting Marine Protected Area monitoring, species surveys, and operations in remote coastal locations would find this project well-aligned with their skills. Additionally, firms adept at producing vessels for environmental monitoring using technologies like drop-down video and remotely operated vehicles will find this tender particularly suited to their expertise. The emphasis on quality as the primary award criterion also highlights the importance of innovative and reliable design solutions in this procurement process.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Marine Survey Vessel

Notice Description

NatureScot's survey vessel, Aphrodite, is a 24-year-old rigid hull inflatable boat that has reached the end of its recommended service life. NatureScot therefore requires the design, manufacture, commissioning, and delivery of a replacement versatile survey vessel and trailer capable of conducting marine environmental monitoring for a range of diverse habitats and species in Scotland's inshore waters.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The vessel will be used by NatureScot to undertake marine environmental monitoring and survey activities within Scotland's inshore waters (within 12nm). The vessel shall provide a safe, reliable, and versatile platform capable of supporting a range of scientific and operational activities, including: - Marine Protected Area (MPA) monitoring - Benthic habitat surveys - Species monitoring and evidence-gathering - Diver-based surveys and sampling - Drop-down video (DDV) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys - Deployment and recovery of scientific monitoring equipment - Acoustic monitoring and hydrographic survey activities - Operations in remote coastal and island locations (e.g. Shiant Isles, Mingulay and Sanday (Orkney)) The vessel shall be capable of supporting these activities whilst carrying personnel and equipment safely in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements.. Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Scottish Natural Heritage (NatureScot) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime. The duration of the contract may be varied in line with the finalised delivery programme.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560853
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation


CPV Codes

34500000 - Ships and boats

34520000 - Boats

34521000 - Specialised boats

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£188,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
24 Aug 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV3 8NW
Post Town
Inverness
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Inverness West
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560853
    Marine Survey Vessel - NatureScot's survey vessel, Aphrodite, is a 24-year-old rigid hull inflatable boat that has reached the end of its recommended service life. NatureScot therefore requires the design, manufacture, commissioning, and delivery of a replacement versatile survey vessel and trailer capable of conducting marine environmental monitoring for a range of diverse habitats and species in Scotland's inshore waters.

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.

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