--- title: "ID 5422428 - DAERA AFBI - Charter of Fishing Vessels for Fisheries Science Partnership and Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Surveys" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04be22" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04be22" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04be22.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04be22.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "AFBI" published: "2025-06-04" --- # ID 5422428 - DAERA AFBI - Charter of Fishing Vessels for Fisheries Science Partnership and Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Surveys Buyer: AFBI Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04be22 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04be22) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04be22.json) ## Summary The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has completed a procurement process for the charter of fishing vessels as part of a project titled "Charter of Fishing Vessels for Fisheries Science Partnership and Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Surveys." This contract, focused on environmental management services, divided the procurement into two lots—Lot 1 for a semi-pelagic trawl survey and Lot 2 for an acoustic and pelagic trawl survey. The surveys will take place in the Irish Sea, with an initial contract period of four years and options for two additional one-year extensions. The procurement, conducted under an open procedure, culminated on 4th June 2025 with the award of contracts valued at £258,580 and £264,000 for the respective lots. This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses in the marine and environmental sectors, particularly those equipped to provide vessels equipped for scientific surveys. SMEs with existing expertise in pelagic trawling in the Irish Sea and experience with the defined fishing gear would be well-suited for such contracts. Such opportunities can help businesses expand their operations and gain valuable governmental experience while contributing to significant environmental and fisheries research initiatives. The focus on comprehensive services, including crew and management, further emphasises the potential for business growth in related service provisions. ## Notice AFBI is seeking to commission two fishing vessels to conduct surveys include all management, crew, victuals, and other services necessary. The Contract is divided into Lots based on survey type as follows and requires: Lot 1 - Fisheries Science Partnership Semi-Pelagic survey A vessel to carry out a semi-pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least one scientist, and; Lot 2 - Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Survey A vessel to carry out an acoustic and pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least three scientists. Fishing/surveys will be undertaken within the Irish Sea (ICES Area 6a and 7a, dependent on individual trial/survey). The Skipper must have experience of working the defined fishing gear in the defined area and have landed the targeted species for sale. The initial contract period is for 4 years with 2 further optional extension period of up to 1 year each. Please refer to the document entitled "ID 5422428 - Specification)" for full details of the requirement. ### Lot Information Lot 1 - Fisheries Science Partnership Semi-Pelagic survey AFBI is seeking to commission two fishing vessels to conduct surveys include all management, crew, victuals, and other services necessary. The Contract is divided into Lots based on survey type as follows and requires: Lot 1 - Fisheries Science Partnership Semi-Pelagic survey A vessel to carry out a semi-pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least one scientist, and; Lot 2 - Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Survey A vessel to carry out an acoustic and pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least three scientists. Fishing/surveys will be undertaken within the Irish Sea (ICES Area 6a and 7a, dependent on individual trial/survey). The Skipper must have experience of working the defined fishing gear in the defined area and have landed the targeted species for sale. The initial contract period is for 4 years with 2 further optional extension period of up to 1 year each. Please refer to the document entitled "ID 5422428 - Specification)" for full details of the requirement. Additional information: The figure indicated in Section II 1.7 represents an estimated contract value. This value reflects the potential scale of the contract and takes into account potential optional extension periods and the uptake of potential optional services as detailed in the tender documents. This figure does not however take into account the application of indexation or increases to charges due to increases in the Real Living Wage. Neither CPD nor the Authority can provide any guarantee as to the level of business under this contract. The Contracting Authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. Economic Operators remain responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by them or by any third party acting under instructions from the Economic Operator in connection with taking part in this procurement process regardless of whether such costs arise as a consequence, directly or indirectly of any amendments made to the procurement documents by the Contracting Authority at any time. No legally binding contract shall arise and an Economic Operator shall. have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into until such time as entry into the Contract has been confirmed by the. Contracting Authority. Economic Operators should note that all dates, time periods and figures in relation to values and volumes specified. in this notice and the procurement documents are approximate only and the Contracting Authority reserves the right to change any or all of them. Options: The Buyer may extend the Contract for 2 optional periods of up to 1 year each by giving not less than 6 months' notice in writing to the Supplier prior to the Expiry Date. The Conditions of the Contract shall apply throughout any such extended period. Renewal: This contract will potentially be due to be re-procured after the initial contract period and/or following any extensions. Lot 2 - Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Survey AFBI is seeking to commission two fishing vessels to conduct surveys include all management, crew, victuals, and other services necessary. The Contract is divided into Lots based on survey type as follows and requires: Lot 1 - Fisheries Science Partnership Semi-Pelagic survey A vessel to carry out a semi-pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least one scientist, and; Lot 2 - Commercial Acoustic Pelagic Survey A vessel to carry out an acoustic and pelagic trawl survey with space to accommodate at least three scientists. Fishing/surveys will be undertaken within the Irish Sea (ICES Area 6a and 7a, dependent on individual trial/survey). The Skipper must have experience of working the defined fishing gear in the defined area and have landed the targeted species for sale. The initial contract period is for 4 years with 2 further optional extension period of up to 1 year each. Please refer to the document entitled "ID 5422428 - Specification)" for full details of the requirement. Additional information: The figure indicated in Section II 1.7 represents an estimated contract value. This value reflects the potential scale of the contract and takes into account potential optional extension periods and the uptake of potential optional services as detailed in the tender documents. This figure does not however take into account the application of indexation or increases to charges due to increases in the Real Living Wage. Neither CPD nor the Authority can provide any guarantee as to the level of business under this contract. The Contracting Authority does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. Economic Operators remain responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by them or by any third party acting under instructions from the Economic Operator in connection with taking part in this procurement process regardless of whether such costs arise as a consequence, directly or indirectly of any amendments made to the procurement documents by the Contracting Authority at any time. No legally binding contract shall arise and an Economic Operator shall. have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into until such time as entry into the Contract has been confirmed by the. Contracting Authority. Economic Operators should note that all dates, time periods and figures in relation to values and volumes specified. in this notice and the procurement documents are approximate only and the Contracting Authority reserves the right to change any or all of them. Options: The Buyer may extend the Contract for 2 optional periods of up to 1 year each by giving not less than 6 months' notice in writing to the Supplier prior to the Expiry Date. The Conditions of the Contract shall apply throughout any such extended period. Renewal: This contract will potentially be due to be re-procured after the initial contract period and/or following any extensions. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029974-2025 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | SME | | All stages | Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 4 Jun 2025 | | Submission deadline | 13 Jan 2025 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 3 Jun 2025 | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | This contract will potentially be due to be re-procured after the initial contract period and/or following any extensions. | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £700,000 | | Lots value | £700,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | £522,580 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Cancelled | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | AFBI | | Additional buyers | AGRI-FOOD AND BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE AFBI | | Locality | BELFAST | | Post town | Northern Ireland | | Postcode | BT9 5PX | | Country | Northern Ireland | | ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland | | ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland | | ITL 3 | TLN06 Belfast | | Local authority | Belfast | | Electoral ward | Upper Malone | | Westminster constituency | Belfast South and Mid Down | | Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 2 | | Supplier names | ATLANTIC TRAWLERS KILKEEL; GLENLUCE FISHING | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 03 - Agricultural, farming, fishing, forestry and related products - 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) - 63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services - 77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services - 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services ### Codes - 03310000 - Fish, crustaceans and aquatic products - 34513000 - Fishing, emergency and other special vessels - 34513100 - Fishing vessels - 34513550 - Survey vessels - 60651000 - Hire of vessels with crew - 60651100 - Hire of sea-going vessels with crew - 63726700 - Fishing-vessel services - 77700000 - Services incidental to fishing - 90700000 - Environmental services - 90710000 - Environmental management ## Release History - 4 Jun 2025 at 14:37 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029974-2025 - 22 Nov 2024 at 15:56 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037880-2024 ## Notice URLs - https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps - https://www.afbini.gov.uk/ - https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/topics/procurement ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04be22. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04be22.json.