--- title: "Marine Survey Vessel" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d2e1" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d2e1" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d2e1.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d2e1.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE" published: "2026-07-24" --- # Marine Survey Vessel Buyer: SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d2e1 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d2e1) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d2e1.json) ## Summary This public procurement tender, initiated by Scottish Natural Heritage, is for the design, manufacture, commissioning, and delivery of a replacement marine survey vessel, with a contract value of £188,000. The procurement is governed by the legal basis CELEX 32014L0024 and falls under the 'goods' category, specifically classified within ships and boats (CPV: 34500000). The vessel will be used for various scientific and operational activities in Scotland's inshore waters. The tender is currently in the active stage, with the closing date set for 24th August 2026, and submissions are exclusively accepted electronically. This procurement follows an open procedure with a contract period of 180 days, and the award criteria are weighted 70% towards quality and 30% towards price. For businesses involved in the marine engineering, boat manufacturing, or environmental survey equipment sectors, this tender presents an opportunity to partner with a national agency on an impactful project supporting marine environmental protection. Companies with the capacity to develop versatile and regulatory-compliant vessels will find this contract appealing, especially those experienced with bespoke marine projects and familiar with the operational conditions of Scotland’s inshore waters. The project demands reliability, safety, and adaptability in vessel design, making it suitable for businesses that specialise in producing capable platforms for scientific and environmental operations. Those interested should ensure timely submission by the date previously stated and adhere to the electronic submission requirements. ## Notice NatureScot's survey vessel, Aphrodite, is a 24-year-old rigid hull inflatable boat that has reached the end of its recommended service life. NatureScot therefore requires the design, manufacture, commissioning, and delivery of a replacement versatile survey vessel and trailer capable of conducting marine environmental monitoring for a range of diverse habitats and species in Scotland's inshore waters. ### Lot Information Lot 1 The vessel will be used by NatureScot to undertake marine environmental monitoring and survey activities within Scotland's inshore waters (within 12nm). The vessel shall provide a safe, reliable, and versatile platform capable of supporting a range of scientific and operational activities, including: - Marine Protected Area (MPA) monitoring - Benthic habitat surveys - Species monitoring and evidence-gathering - Diver-based surveys and sampling - Drop-down video (DDV) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys - Deployment and recovery of scientific monitoring equipment - Acoustic monitoring and hydrographic survey activities - Operations in remote coastal and island locations (e.g. Shiant Isles, Mingulay and Sanday (Orkney)) The vessel shall be capable of supporting these activities whilst carrying personnel and equipment safely in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements. Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Scottish Natural Heritage (NatureScot) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime. The duration of the contract may be varied in line with the finalised delivery programme. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070111-2026 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 24 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 24 Aug 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £188,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | 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 | SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE | | Locality | INVERNESS | | Post town | Inverness | | Postcode | IV3 8NW | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM2 Highlands and Islands | | ITL 3 | TLM20 Highlands and Islands | | Local authority | Highland | | Electoral ward | Inverness West | | Westminster constituency | Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire | | Delivery location | TLM Scotland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation ### Codes - 34500000 - Ships and boats - 34520000 - Boats - 34521000 - Specialised boats ## Release History - 24 Jul 2026 at 09:31 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070111-2026 ## Notice URLs - http://www.nature.scot - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=838265 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=838265 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00383 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx ## 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-06d2e1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d2e1.json.