---
title: "Provision of a Seapath and MGC Navigation System & System Upgrade for RRS Discovery"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05e02e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05e02e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e02e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e02e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE"
published: "2025-11-13"
---

# Provision of a Seapath and MGC Navigation System & System Upgrade for RRS Discovery

Buyer: NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05e02e

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## Summary

The contract with ID "073439-2025" was awarded on 11th November 2025 and involves the National Oceanography Centre, a sub-central government public authority based in Southampton, UK. The procurement, titled "Provision of a Seapath and MGC Navigation System & System Upgrade for RRS Discovery," pertains to the maritime industry category. The awarded tender is for the supply, installation, and commissioning of navigation equipment and associated technical support services, delivered by Kongsberg Discovery AS from Norway. The contract value amounts to $197,332 USD, excluding VAT, and was settled through a direct procurement method, classified as below the threshold without competition, recognising the supplier as the only entity capable of delivering the required technically compliant and compatible solution. The contract is set to ensure operational continuity for the research vessel until 10th November 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses engaged in high-tech maritime navigation solutions, especially those capable of offering compatible and bespoke systems and services. Companies specialising in maritime navigation, vessel equipment upgrades, and related technical services will find such contracts conducive to growth, particularly those that can establish themselves as essential providers of original equipment and tailored integration services. As this was a direct award without competition, businesses could seek to strategically position themselves for future potential opportunities by maintaining robust partnerships and demonstrating unique capabilities that might be required by organisations such as the National Oceanography Centre.

## Notice

The procurement is for the supply, installation, commissioning, and technical support of a Seapath 385 Inertial Navigation System (INS) with an MGC-R3 Compass for the RRS Discovery research vessel. This system will replace the failed and obsolete Seapath Digital GPS system currently onboard. The required goods and services include: Delivery of the Seapath 385 INS and MGC-R3 Compass, including all necessary hardware, software, and documentation. Installation and commissioning of the system by Kongsberg-qualified personnel. Technical support for integration, calibration, and sea trials to ensure the system is fully operational and meets the vessel's requirements. All equipment and services must be fully compatible with the existing Kongsberg navigation suite on the vessel. The total contract value is $197,332 USD (excluding VAT). The supplier, Kongsberg Discovery A/S, is the original equipment manufacturer and the only provider able to deliver a technically compliant and compatible solution. The procurement ensures operational continuity for scientific missions and avoids the risks associated with using non-OEM alternatives. Delivery and installation will be scheduled to prevent disruption to planned research operations.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073439-2025 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 13 Nov 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 Nov 2025 |
| Contract period | 11 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £197,332 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE |
| Locality | SOUTHAMPTON |
| Post town | Southampton |
| Postcode | SO14 3ZH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| ITL 3 | TLJ32 Southampton |
| Local authority | Southampton |
| Electoral ward | Bargate |
| Westminster constituency | Southampton Itchen |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | KONGSBERG DISCOVERY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 34933000 - Navigation equipment
- 50241100 - Vessel repair services

## Release History

- 13 Nov 2025 at 10:43 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073439-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073439-2025
  13th November 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://kongsberg.com
- https://noc.ac.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-05e02e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05e02e.json.