---
title: "School of Biology/SMRU: Helicopter for August Aerial Surveys of Seals in Scotland"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06ae67"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06ae67"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06ae67.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06ae67.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS"
published: "2026-06-05"
---

# School of Biology/SMRU: Helicopter for August Aerial Surveys of Seals in Scotland

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06ae67

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06ae67)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06ae67.json)

## Summary

The University of St Andrews is currently in the tender stage of a procurement process seeking helicopter services for August aerial surveys of seals in Scotland. This opportunity falls under the services category for the hire of aircraft with crew, specifically targeting aerial surveys using helicopters fitted with thermal imaging cameras. Commencing on 5th June 2026, the procurement is valued at £250,000 and follows an open procedure. Tender submissions are due by 8th July 2026. The contract, with a performance duration of 1080 days, includes optional extensions and is available for electronic bids through the University’s eTendering system. All operations will take place in and around the UK-St Andrews locality, with specific attention to Scotland's coastline. 

This tender offers a significant growth opportunity for businesses specialising in aerial surveys, aircraft hire services, or those with the technical capacity to support scientific research in wildlife monitoring. Suitable candidates should have capabilities in providing helicopter services equipped for advanced observation technologies and adapting operations according to weather conditions and low tide periods, given the specificity of seal surveys. Businesses experienced in serving educational or public sector clients and those familiar with open procurement processes will be well-positioned to compete in this offering. The need for technical proficiency and the proposed long-term nature of the contract provide a substantial opportunity for establishing a robust partnership with the University of St Andrews.

## Notice

Helicopter for August Aerial Surveys of Seals in Scotland

### Lot Information

Lot 1

SMRU have developed a technique for surveying seals inhabiting rocky coastlines using a thermal imaging camera in a helicopter. The survey equipment that will be used on/in the aircraft is described below under 'Survey methods & equipment'. Available survey periods are dictated by "low tide windows", i.e. local low water occurring in the afternoon, during the harbour seals' annual moult season in August. Surveys are weather dependent; we cannot survey in moderate or heavy rain as seals are more likely to leave their haul-out sites in very wet conditions. Over the next three to five years, SMRU is planning to carry out seal surveys around the Scottish coastline, excluding most islands that are over 10km offshore. All surveys will be carried out in August and could require up to a total of approximately 140 hours of engine time (including transit/positioning flights) spread over 30-40 flying days. Please see tender documents for full requirements. Additional information: All tenders for the University of St Andrews are administered through our eTendering System (InTend).To Express an Interest please go to our tender website at https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews Please note that 'Notes of Interest' placed via PCS (Public Contracts Scotland) are not automatically accepted

Renewal: Provision for 2 x 12 month extensions subject to annual review.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053199-2026 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 8 Jul 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £250,000 |
| Lots value | £250,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS |
| Locality | GUARDBRIDGE |
| Post town | Kirkcaldy |
| Postcode | KY16 0US |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM0 Eastern Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM01 Clackmannanshire and Fife |
| Local authority | Fife |
| Electoral ward | Tay Bridgehead |
| Westminster constituency | North East Fife |
| Delivery location | TLM72 Clackmannanshire and Fife |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60424100 - Hire of aircraft with crew
- 60424120 - Hire of helicopters with crew

## Release History

- 5 Jun 2026 at 09:55 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053199-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/procurement/
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714
- https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=833714
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00111

## 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-06ae67. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06ae67.json.