--- title: "Marine Services Framework" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "CROWN ESTATE SCOTLAND" published: "2026-07-29" --- # Marine Services Framework Buyer: CROWN ESTATE SCOTLAND Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7.json) ## Summary Crown Estate Scotland is initiating the Marine Services Framework procurement process under the active tender stage, facilitated by Scotland Excel,, offering a significant opportunity for relevant businesses. The framework is segmented into three lots: Technical Consultancy Support, Commercial & Economic Support, and Seabed Leasing and Market Access Advice, each with distinct requirements. The procurement focuses on the services industry category in the UK region. Key dates include the tender period ending on 31st August 2026 at 12:00 PM, with contracts slated to start on 12th November 2026, running until 12th November 2028, with potential extensions. The framework will appoint up to six strategic partners, ensuring comprehensive involvement in shaping the CES 2026-31 Corporate Plan. This tender presents robust business growth opportunities for firms versed in marine services, including research consultancy, aquaculture, environmental, and energy-related consultancy services. Companies with expertise in the areas of technical consultancy, commercial evaluations, or market access advice particularly stand to benefit, with a maximum of two suppliers being selected per lot. The selection criteria necessitate substantial qualifications and expertise, such as PRINCE2 and Chartered Engineer accreditations. Engaging in this contract will allow businesses to collaborate on significant marine and offshore projects, reinforcing their market presence and expertise while contributing to national development priorities. The open procurement method underscores the inclusivity and competitive nature of the process, appealing to firms aiming for substantial sector engagements. ## Notice Crown Estate Scotland (CES) is now seeking to appoint suppliers who will be considered strategic delivery partners, to help us to deliver the Marine activities of the 2026-31 Corporate Plan. The three lots of expertise that CES require and have organised each as its own bespoke lot within a new Marine Services Framework: Lot 1 Technical Consultancy support Lot 2 Commercial and Economic support Lot 3 Seabed Leasing and Market Access Advice Crown Estate Scotland intends to appoint up to two suppliers per each Lot. ### Lot Information Technical Consultancy Support Specialist advice To provide specialist advice and expertise on all aspects of offshore energy & infrastructure, aquaculture and marine ecosystem services areas, to support development function activities for all sectors, enabling activities and provision of technical due diligence. This work will typically include technical advice notes, reporting, and publications which will be shared by CES or in collaboration with partner organisations, or occasionally for internal CES use. This work will support production of sector profiles on the CES website, support in preparing tenant surveys, asset lifetime scenario reports, identification of commercial models for emerging sectors, and other similar commissions. Each project will have its own specific requirements; however, it should be assumed that all will require provision of project management. Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland (CES) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime. Renewal: Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to extend the contract for up to two (2) additional periods of 12 months, up to a maximum duration of four (4) years. Commercial & Economic Support Valuations/commercial terms advice To undertake periodic and as needed sector and/or project specific commercial reviews to inform the terms (e.g. rental) which will be applied to our seabed agreements. The terms require to be applied to each type of agreement (Exclusivity/Appraisal Agreement, Option Agreement, Lease and/or Licence) and offered in ad-hoc leasing and in leasing rounds. These commissions will typically require review of our leasing guidance documents, Heads of Terms, existing and model from agreements and other relevant policies. The specific terms to be considered include (but are not limited to): Leasing terms Application fees Option Fees Option Periods Limits on live option agreements at any one time Lease rental fees and/ or mechanisms Financial Security and liability requirements Estimated maximum loss requirements Insurance requirements Fee indexing mechanisms (e.g. CPI versus RPI) Open market rent assessments for operational leases These reviews will consider the background context within which the particular sector is developing _operating, including: current market conditions uncertainties in revenue support or business models value to the grantee arising from the rights (including in the context of specific project economics) Regulatory environments and frameworks (eg Ofgem frameworks for Regulated Assets) Specific to Energy & Infrastructure: consideration of grid reinforcements and associated grid curtailment payments; subsidy and/ or regulated asset regimes; and policy and process developments brought forward by Government and National Energy System Operator (e.g. connections reform). Specific to Aquaculture: updates to sea lice framework as result of industry legal challenge to SEPA proposed framework. Future offshore developments for finfish, shellfish &/or seaweed outwith 3 nautical miles Finfish Production Audit (current contract in place until end of Feb 2028) needing retendered Q4 2027 Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland (CES) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime. Renewal: Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to extend the contract for up to two (2) additional periods of 12 months, up to a maximum duration of four (4) years. Seabed Leasing and Market Access Advice Leasing Advice To work on sectoral market arrangements with an awareness of planning and regulatory environments to support leasing activities on an ad-hoc basis or in preparation for leasing rounds. CES leases seabed both on a 'plan-led' basis where a sectoral marine plan or equivalent policy is in place, or where no such plan exists, CES may lease seabed 'ad-hoc'. Leasing requires market appetite and stakeholder engagement activity is important to ensure our leasing is attractive to potential applicants and partner organisations. Documents need to be developed which detail the leasing offer, and commercial terms such as application fee, Option Fee and lease rental mechanism. Applicant guidance notes are required to explain the application evaluation criteria and how submissions are scored. In all of our leasing processes we must provide clear explanation of how competing interest will be resolved. Additional information in the specification Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Crown Estate Scotland (CES) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime. Renewal: Crown Estate Scotland reserves the right to extend the contract for up to two (2) additional periods of 12 months, up to a maximum duration of four (4) years. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071512-2026 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | 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 | 29 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 31 Aug 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 12 Nov 2026 - 12 Nov 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £4,990,000 | | Lots value | £1,100,000 | | 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 | CROWN ESTATE SCOTLAND | | Locality | EDINBURGH | | Post town | Edinburgh | | Postcode | EH3 9GL | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland | | ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh | | Local authority | City of Edinburgh | | Electoral ward | City Centre | | Westminster constituency | Edinburgh East and Musselburgh | | Delivery location | TLM Scotland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services - 77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security - 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services ### Codes - 71300000 - Engineering services - 71314000 - Energy and related services - 71314300 - Energy-efficiency consultancy services - 71335000 - Engineering studies - 73210000 - Research consultancy services - 77800000 - Aquaculture services - 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services - 79411100 - Business development consultancy services - 79413000 - Marketing management consultancy services - 90712400 - Natural resources management or conservation strategy planning services - 90713000 - Environmental issues consultancy services ## Release History - 29 Jul 2026 at 08:22 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/071512-2026 ## Notice URLs - http://crownestatescotland.com/ - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363 - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000836835 - https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=836835 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=836835 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA29444 - 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-06d5f7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d5f7.json.