---
title: "Provision of Lead for Fixed Ballast, RRS Sir David Attenborough"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05d1f0"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05d1f0"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d1f0.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d1f0.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)"
published: "2025-12-17"
---

# Provision of Lead for Fixed Ballast, RRS Sir David Attenborough

Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05d1f0

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## Summary

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), located in Swindon, Wiltshire, has successfully completed the procurement process for the provision of lead ballast required for the RRS Sir David Attenborough, an ice-class research ship. The tender, under an open procedure, involved procurement of 477 tonnes of lead to correct the ballast in the ship's aft. Significant dates in the procurement cycle include the contract's active period commencing on 4th December 2025 and stipulated completion by 30th September 2026. Calder Industrial Materials Ltd was awarded the contract, valued at approximately £1.93 million, for delivery in the United Kingdom.

This procurement presents strategic growth opportunities for businesses specialised in supplying heavy industry materials and acoustics technologies. The contract required lead protected to suppress noise and vibration, an essential factor for operations involving research equipment. Businesses skilled in producing lead materials, particularly those catering to maritime and research facilities, would be well-suited to similar upcoming projects that demand high-quality goods to stringent standards. The completion of this project by Calder Industrial Materials Ltd demonstrates potential engagement opportunities for other suppliers in the SME sector, particularly in regions focused on marine technology and industrial materials supply.

## Notice

RRS Sir David Attenborough is an Ice class research ship that operates in the polar regions for UKRI research activities. The ship is very heavy towards the bow due to the ice strengthening. To correct the Ballast the ship requires 477 tonnes of lead ballast in the aft of the ship. The lead is to be inserted in man handleable blocks into a specially designed void space within the aft peak ballast tank. The lead requires to be protected to prevent noise and vibration transmitting through the hull that would interfere with the acoustic equipment and create vibration.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083779-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 17 Nov 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 18 Nov 2025 |
| Contract period | 4 Dec 2025 - 30 Sep 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £2,000,000 |
| Lots value | £2,000,000 |
| Awards value | £1,933,519 |
| Contracts value | £1,933,519 |

## 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 | CALDER INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 14 - Mining, basic metals and related products

### Codes

- 14712000 - Lead

## Release History

- 17 Dec 2025 at 12:07 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083779-2025
- 20 Nov 2025 at 09:26 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075478-2025
- 22 Oct 2025 at 15:31 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067609-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083779-2025
  17th December 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075478-2025
  20th November 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067609-2025
  22nd October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.calderlead.co.uk
- https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm000008W6k1MAC&searchStr=&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

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