---
title: "Diving services 2026 Framework 1"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05dd67"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05dd67"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dd67.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05dd67.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATURAL RESOURCES WALES"
published: "2026-05-07"
---

# Diving services 2026 Framework 1

Buyer: NATURAL RESOURCES WALES  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05dd67

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## Summary

Natural Resources Wales has awarded a contract for Diving Services Open Framework 2026, a project designed to support scientific divers in monitoring subtidal reef features within Welsh Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Located in Cardiff, UK, the procurement process involved an open procedure, culminating in the award phase on 30th April 2026. The contract spans multiple lots, with an overall value of £840,000 and running until 2034. The primary category is marine services, focusing on adhering to the Habitats Directive while employing advanced diving techniques. Key suppliers included Marine EcoSol and ASML, with a standstill period ending on 18th May 2026 and the contract commencing on 15th June 2026. 

This tender provides significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in marine services, particularly those with expertise in scientific diving and ecological monitoring. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are well-positioned to benefit, given their flexibility and specialised skills, especially in taxonomic work and diving supervision. This framework will enable participating businesses to contribute to crucial environmental monitoring and reporting, offering the potential for sustained engagement over the eight-year span. As the framework permits phased competition renewal, companies can anticipate continued opportunities in re-openings scheduled for 2029 and 2032.

## Notice

Open framework agreement 1, to provide scientific divers and support for monitoring Habitats Directive Annex I subtidal reef features within Welsh SACs. Support will be provided as required and may include survey coordination, dive supervision, specialist taxonomic work during dives, and maintenance of monitoring sites.

### Lot Information

Sponge taxonomist

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have an advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification and taxonomy of marine sponges (Porifera), including methods for identification and preservation and will have key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible. Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.

Algal taxonomist

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have an advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification and taxonomy of red, green and brown marine seaweeds, the methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible. Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.

Non invasive species taxonomist

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification of UK non-native species. They will have excellent taxonomic skills to be able to differentiate these species from similar native species. They will be up to date with such species currently found or likely to be found in Wales and the UK, horizon scanning literature and other sources of information. They will have specialist knowledge in the methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible. Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.

Experienced monitoring surveyor/diving marine biologist

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have excellent subtidal epibenthic species identification skills, being able to identify common Welsh subtidal species from the following phyla/groups: sponges, hydroids, annelids, molluscs, bryozoans, ascidians, algae and fish. They will be able demonstrate their experience in carrying out a variety of underwater ecological surveying techniques similar to that identified in NRW's Standard Operating Procedures for our subtidal diving SAC monitoring, including species 'cell frequency counts', 'Sponge morphologies quadrats', and transect type surveys. They will also be experienced in photography, videography and other marine fieldwork methodologies to carry out our routine monitoring work

Assistant surveyor

An experienced diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. A scientific diver with biological knowledge - not to be confused with commercial divers who may be an experienced diver but have no biological expertise/knowledge nor training in biological field survey techniques. Able to assist experienced surveyors, carry out videography, targeted sample collection, and surveys where less taxonomic skills are required such as sponge luxuriance, sponge morphology or seagrass surveys.

Diving supervisor

A person suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work in accordance with the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work Regulations. They don't need to have biological expertise, but they do need to understand the nature of the work and the areas / dive sites where the diving operations are to take place. They will be expected to keep records of diving activities, control the diving operations, liaise with other maritime users and assist with the running of survey logistics. This role is for the supply of a dedicated diving supervisor as opposed to the provision of ad hoc rolling dive supervisor duties whilst providing services under another Lot

Survey coordinator

A person with the skills and experience to plan, lead and coordinate field logistics and manage dive teams. Close liaison with the NRW project officer assisting in the coordination of survey requirements and field team as needed. Creating HSE Dive Project Plans, liaising with relevant Harbour Authorities and ensuring Notice to Mariners are issued where required. Liaising with recompression chambers facilities ahead of and during surveys to ensure availability in an emergency. Able to ensure the quality of the information gathered (monitoring data, dive logs, field activity diary etc), is secured and appropriately catalogued. Competent in ensuring the completion of an end of survey field report that summarises field operations and (with input from NRW staff) draws summary conclusions from the data collected. It is expected (and will be preferentially selected for) that the coordinator, if suitably skilled and experienced, would also act as one of the above diving and/or supervisor roles

Data Analyst

A person with a scientific background and preferably a diver with an appreciation of marine biological species and survey methods. They will be adept at transcribing complex data from field recording forms to spreadsheets or into databases such as Marine Recorder Online. Able to check the taxonomic species names in relevant literature where necessary. They will be competent in data validation techniques, use of spreadsheets and statistical software. The analyst may also be required to work with imaging software such Adobe Photoshop and Premiere for stitching images or extracting species data. A knowledge of annotation software BIIGLE and CATAMI would be advantageous. This role may be expected to attend surveys and input data at the survey base but not necessarily take part in diving operations themselves.

### Planning Information

Engagement process description
The supplier engagement session will take place on the 26th November 2025 at 2 p.m - 3 p.m via Teams meeting.
Supplier to contact Jana.Paulova@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
should they wish to attend.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042120-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Future notice date | 26 Nov 2025 |
| Award date | 29 Apr 2026 |
| Contract period | 14 Jun 2026 - 14 Jun 2034 |
| Recurrence | 2034-05-02 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £700,000 |
| Lots value | £700,000 |
| Awards value | £700,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATURAL RESOURCES WALES |
| Locality | CARDIFF |
| Post town | Cardiff |
| Postcode | CF10 3NQ |
| Country | Wales |
| ITL 1 | TLL Wales |
| ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales |
| ITL 3 | TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan |
| Local authority | Cardiff |
| Electoral ward | Cathays |
| Westminster constituency | Cardiff South and Penarth |
| Delivery location | TLL Wales |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 3 |
| Supplier names | ASML; DAVID PALFREY; MARINE ECOSOL |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 98 - Other community, social and personal services

### Codes

- 98360000 - Marine services
- 98363000 - Diving services

## Release History

- 7 May 2026 at 15:19 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042120-2026
- 5 Mar 2026 at 13:27 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019926-2026
- 10 Feb 2026 at 16:11 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012086-2026
- 10 Nov 2025 at 10:51 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072298-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042120-2026
  7th May 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019926-2026
  5th March 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/012086-2026
  10th February 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072298-2025
  10th November 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
- https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx

## Provenance

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