---
title: "Provision of Seabird Microcat CT(D)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0667dc"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0667dc"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0667dc.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0667dc.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE"
published: "2026-03-12"
---

# Provision of Seabird Microcat CT(D)

Buyer: NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHY CENTRE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0667dc

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## Summary

The National Oceanography Centre, a sub-central government public authority based in Southampton, United Kingdom, has completed its procurement process for the provision of Seabird Microcat CT(D) instruments. The contract, awarded to PLANET OCEAN LIMITED, involves supplying SBE37-SMP-ODO hydrographic instruments with necessary components rated for 7000-metre depth, crucial for integration within NOC's existing systems. This direct award, finalised on 12 March 2026, was executed under the procurement method "below threshold - without competition", due to the essential technical standardisation and compatibility required with NOC's current instruments. The contract covers the period from 4 March 2026 to 3 March 2027, with a total value of 236,131.2 USD.

This tender creates significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in hydrographic instruments, specifically those offering technically compatible equipment, as emphasised by the National Oceanography Centre's requirement for seamless integration with existing Sea-Bird systems. Companies with expertise in manufacturing or distributing hydrographic instruments that align with technical specifications and standards would be ideally positioned to engage with similar opportunities. SMEs that can demonstrate technical capability and performance aligned with NOC's established systems may find lucrative partnership possibilities in future procurements that necessitate high-standard technical equipment.

## Notice

This contract was for the supply of SBE37-SMP-ODO moored CTD instruments and associated 7000-metre rated components required as a standalone replacement purchase. The equipment must be sourced from the manufacturer's authorised representative because it is technically compatible with NOC's existing moored instrumentation fleet and is required to operate seamlessly with current sensors, housings and deployment configurations. No alternative supplier can provide instruments with the required compatibility or performance for integration with NOC's established Sea-Bird systems. This is a below-threshold direct award made on the basis of essential technical standardisation and compatibility.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022103-2026 |
| 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 | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 12 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 4 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 4 Mar 2026 - 3 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £196,776 |

## 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 | PLANET OCEAN |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

### Codes

- 38292000 - Hydrographic instruments

## Release History

- 12 Mar 2026 at 08:43 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022103-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022103-2026
  12th March 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.planet-ocean.co.uk
- 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-0667dc. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0667dc.json.