---
title: "CEFAS23-02 Contract for the provision of Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) and associated services"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-84e931fc-63a6-40c1-864d-f5ded1b013be"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-84e931fc-63a6-40c1-864d-f5ded1b013be"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84e931fc-63a6-40c1-864d-f5ded1b013be.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-84e931fc-63a6-40c1-864d-f5ded1b013be.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CEFAS"
published: "2023-05-17"
---

# CEFAS23-02 Contract for the provision of Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) and associated services

Buyer: CEFAS  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-84e931fc-63a6-40c1-864d-f5ded1b013be

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## Summary

The award was granted to Blue Abacus Ltd by Cefas for a marine research services contract worth £600,000. The contract, titled "CEFAS23-02 Contract for the provision of Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems (BRUVS) and associated services," falls under the CPV code 73112000. The procurement method was a direct single tender action below the threshold. The tender period ended on 31st March 2023, and the contract period is set from 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2025. The location for delivery includes various areas, such as British Oversea Territories, Channel Islands, Europe, Isle of Man, and others.

This awarded contract presents an opportunity for businesses in the marine research services industry. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that specialize in providing underwater video systems and associated services can benefit from this contract. Cefas, the contracting authority, selected Blue Abacus Ltd as the supplier. Businesses interested in participating should have expertise in marine research services specifically related to BRUV systems and associated services. The awarded contract aims to support the Blue Belt Programme, ensuring consistent data collection and analysis across different Overseas Territories for the management and conservation of various species and habitats.

## Notice

As part of the Blue Belt Programme, a Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) network has been established across the UK Overseas Territories. The supplier is contracted to provide unique BRUV systems, along with associated services. Since the start of the programme in 2020, BRUVS kits have been delivered to thirteen OTs, held in person and online training sessions, supported survey design, visited some of the OTs to provide fieldwork support, completed analysis, shared results and knowledge within the BRUVS network, and upgraded some of the BRUVS equipment with deeper water capabilities. During the next phase of the programme, the focus will be on survey delivery, analysis, continual improvement, knowledge sharing, increasing the reach of the network, and to begin to provide educational support to the current OTs. There is the possibility that South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and Sovereign Base Areas of Administration for Cyprus may join the programme, which would require new BRUVS equipment, training and potentially visits to support initial survey fieldwork in these OTs. Contract is awarded without prior publication as there is only one economic operator due to the protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights. The rig design, software and associated AI analysis rights are owned by Blue Abacus and Cefas would not be able to purchase software / AI analysis compatible with this elsewhere. BRUVS supplied by the Blue Abacus are already used in certain Overseas Territories and this purchase for Cefas would ensure that by buying the same equipment, software and AI analysis services, the data will be collected and analysed consistently with data already collected and analysed in the other Overseas Territories. Purchase of these BRUVS would support the ability to create a cross territory BRUV network as part of the Blue Belt Programme. It is therefore critical that the data informing the management and conservation of a range of species and habitats is collected in a consistent, comparable and statistically robust manner.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/50f3159a-3a55-4e10-85b0-4f14a9e49ccb |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Single tender action (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 May 2023 |
| Submission deadline | 31 Mar 2023 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 31 Mar 2023 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2023 - 31 Mar 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £600,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £600,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CEFAS |
| Locality | LOWESTOFT |
| Post town | Norwich |
| Postcode | NR33 0HT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH6 Suffolk |
| ITL 3 | TLH63 East Suffolk |
| Local authority | East Suffolk |
| Electoral ward | Kirkley & Pakefield |
| Westminster constituency | Lowestoft |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | BLUE ABACUS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73112000 - Marine research services

## Release History

- 17 May 2023 at 08:22 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/50f3159a-3a55-4e10-85b0-4f14a9e49ccb

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/50f3159a-3a55-4e10-85b0-4f14a9e49ccb
  17th May 2023 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/27386afd-1f83-4a83-8eb5-0d91ab9663fc
  CEFAS23-02 Contract for the Provision of BRUVS Associated Services_final_10.05.2023_signed_Redacted

## Provenance

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