---
title: "Profiling Floats for Ocean Data Collection"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-02f8ac"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02f8ac"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02f8ac.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02f8ac.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MET OFFICE"
published: "2022-03-17"
---

# Profiling Floats for Ocean Data Collection

Buyer: MET OFFICE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-02f8ac

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## Summary

The Met Office, located in Exeter, is conducting an open procurement process titled "Profiling Floats for Ocean Data Collection". This initiative falls under the goods category, specifically focusing on meteorological instruments, with a deadline for bid submissions set on 17 December 2021. This tender is structured into two lots: Lot 1 covering Standard Argo with Iridium Communications, and Lot 2 concerning Iridium Floats with Bio-Geochemical Sensors. The framework agreement aims to secure a reliable supply for oceanographic data collection, starting from 27 January 2022, with potential extension options available until 26 January 2025.

This tender presents significant opportunities for suppliers in the marine and meteorological sectors, particularly businesses that specialise in producing advanced oceanographic instruments. Companies that manufacture sensors related to temperature, salinity, and pressure, as well as those that can provide innovative bio-geochemical capabilities, would find this procurement particularly relevant. The Met Office has indicated an intention to collaborate with suppliers delivering compliant technical solutions and those demonstrating social value, creating a competitive environment for SMEs and larger firms alike looking to expand their market reach in ocean data technologies.

## Notice

Framework Agreement for supply of profiling floats for ocean data collection, covering the following lots: Lot 1: Standard Argo with Iridium Communications Lot 2: Iridium Floats with Bio-Geochemical Sensors

### Lot Information

Standard Argo with Iridium Communications

The floats must carry proven temperature, salinity and pressure sensors that meet the following standards. The temperatures are accurate to +-0.002degC and pressures are accurate to +-2.4dbar. For salinity, the data delivered in real time are sometimes affected by sensor drift, for many floats this drift is small and the uncorrected salinities are accurate to +-0.01 psu. (At a later stage, salinities are checked by comparing older floats with newly deployed instruments and ship-based data, where salinity drifts may be corrected for.) The data must be transmitted with at least the following resolution 0.001 degC in temperature, 0.001 in salinity and 0.1 dbar in pressure.

Renewal: There is an option to extend for a further 12 months

Iridium Floats with Bio-Geochemical Sensors

Bio-geochemical floats must be capable of meeting the core (standard) Argo requirements, therefore the floats must carry a proven temperature, salinity and pressure sensor that meets the following standards. The temperatures are accurate to +-0.002degC and pressures are accurate to +-2.4dbar. For salinity, the data delivered in real time are sometimes affected by sensor drift, for many floats this drift is small and the uncorrected salinities are accurate to +-0.01 psu. (At a later stage, salinities are checked by comparing older floats with newly deployed instruments and ship-based data, where salinity drift may be corrected for.) The data must be transmitted with at least the following resolution 0.001 degC in temperature, 0.001 in salinity and 0.1 dbar in pressure.

Renewal: There is an option to extend for a further 12 months.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007320-2022 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Mar 2022 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Dec 2021 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 17 Mar 2022 |
| Contract period | 27 Jan 2022 - 26 Jan 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MET OFFICE |
| Locality | EXETER |
| Post town | Exeter |
| Postcode | EX1 3PB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon |
| ITL 3 | TLK43 Devon CC |
| Local authority | Exeter |
| Electoral ward | Pinhoe |
| Westminster constituency | Exmouth and Exeter East |
| Delivery location | TLJ32 Southampton |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | NKE INSTRUMENTS; SWALE TECHNOLOGIES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38120000 - Meteorological instruments
- 38200000 - Geological and geophysical instruments

## Release History

- 17 Mar 2022 at 14:31 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007320-2022
- 20 Nov 2021 at 18:29 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028989-2021

## Notice URLs

- http://www.metoffice.gov.uk
- https://nke-instrumentation.com/
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Login
- https://swaleocean.co.uk/

## Provenance

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