---
title: "UKRI-4667 NERC Research Vessels Refit, Upgrade and Maintenance Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-058d0a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-058d0a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058d0a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058d0a.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)"
published: "2026-05-08"
---

# UKRI-4667 NERC Research Vessels Refit, Upgrade and Maintenance Services

Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-058d0a

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## Summary

The UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) has successfully awarded a contract for the refit, upgrade and maintenance services of the RRS Sir David Attenborough research vessel. This contract, awarded to Orskov Yard A/S from Denmark, covers services across a global operational footprint to ensure the vessel meets the required standards. The formal agreement, valued at £9 million, initially spans two years, with optional extensions potentially extending the contract by an additional two years. The procurement process was conducted via an open procedure, allowing for broad competition among capable suppliers, and was completed on 8 May 2026. The primary services focus on the repair and maintenance of ships, aligning with the buyer's central government category and based in Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in maritime maintenance and refit services. By securing a contract that involves both scheduled and emergency repair capabilities, suppliers such as Orskov Yard A/S can enhance their industry expertise and expand their international reach. Large-scale companies with robust marine engineering capabilities are well-suited for such contracts due to the need for consistent compliance with Flag State and Classification Society requirements. The awarded company’s capacity to address urgent repairs globally ensures continuity and reliability in operations for prestigious vessels like the RRS Sir David Attenborough, reflecting a commendable business opportunity in the maritime support sector.

## Notice

UKRI wishes to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of refit, upgrade and maintenance services for the RRS Sir David Attenborough. The Framework Agreement (Agreement) will be awarded to a single Supplier for a period of two years with an extension option of up to two years (2+1+1). The Supplier will also be able to provide global support should emergency repairs/dockings be required to be undertaken outside of scheduled maintenance periods. The Agreement will: * ensure vessels are maintained to the standards required by UKRI. * ensure vessels are maintained in accordance with Flag State and Classification Society requirements. * provide continuity in maintenance standards and utilise one organisation that will gain experience and knowledge of the RRS Sir David Attenborough * cover the global footprint of operations for RRS Sir David Attenborough

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Option to extend as stated

Renewal: The Contract duration shall be for a period of two (2) years with two optional extensions of (1) year each, from commencement of the Contract (2+1+1). The total duration will not exceed four (4) years.

### Planning Information

Supplier Webinar: Potential Suppliers are invited to attend a (virtual) Supplier Webinar, occurring 08 September 2025. This will allow all Potential Suppliers to fully comprehend and understand the requirement further. Intention to attend the Supplier Webinar must be communicated via the e-sourcing portal by 05 September 2025, including the subject matter ‘UKRI-4667 Supplier Webinar Request’. Suppliers may be sent an RFI Questionnaire, and a further engagement session may take pace in October. Please find details of the opportunity here: https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm000007K9azMAC&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042332-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 8 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 16 Jan 2026 |
| Future notice date | 27 Oct 2025 |
| Award date | 16 Apr 2026 |
| Contract period | 7 May 2026 - 30 Apr 2028 |
| Recurrence | 2028-11-01 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £9,000,000 |
| Lots value | £9,000,000 |
| Awards value | £9,000,000 |
| Contracts value | £9,000,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI) |
| Locality | SWINDON, WILTSHIRE |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN2 1FL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ORSKOV YARD |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50241000 - Repair and maintenance services of ships

## Release History

- 8 May 2026 at 09:30 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042332-2026
- 23 Apr 2026 at 12:20 - AwardUpdate - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037071-2026
- 20 Apr 2026 at 14:36 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035760-2026
- 4 Dec 2025 at 15:07 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079820-2025
- 28 Aug 2025 at 08:58 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051793-2025
- 22 Aug 2025 at 14:19 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050954-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042332-2026
  8th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037071-2026
  23rd April 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035760-2026
  20th April 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079820-2025
  4th December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051793-2025
  28th August 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050954-2025
  22nd August 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.orskov.dk
- https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm000007K9azMAC&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=
- https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm000007K9azMAC&searchStr=4667&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=
- https://ukri2.my.site.com
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.ukri.org/

## 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-058d0a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-058d0a.json.