---
title: "Provision of Life Saving Appliances Certification for the RSS James Cook"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06e2ca"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e2ca"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e2ca.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e2ca.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "National Oceanography Centre"
published: "2026-08-12"
---

# Provision of Life Saving Appliances Certification for the RSS James Cook

Buyer: National Oceanography Centre  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06e2ca

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## Summary

The National Oceanography Centre bought life-saving and fire-safety appliance assessment and certification services for the RRS James Cook, a research vessel. The work covered the vessel’s annual servicing, inspection, testing and certification during its refit. Equipment included portable and wheeled fire extinguishers, self-contained breathing apparatus and cylinders, emergency escape breathing devices, immersion suits, fireman suits, fire hoses, hydrants, nozzles and foam-filled lifejackets. It also covered galley wet-chemical and carbon-dioxide systems, the main carbon-dioxide system, fire detection and water-mist systems, foam stations, replacement extinguishers, associated cylinders and hoses, and labour for removal and refitting. The supplier was also required to issue the relevant certification. This is a specialist marine safety certification services requirement managed by the Centre in Southampton.

The procurement has been awarded and the tender is complete. The National Oceanography Centre selected PFC MARINE LTD through a direct, below-threshold procedure without competition. The contract was signed on 31 July 2026 and runs from 31 July to 31 October 2026. Its value is £25,163 excluding VAT, or £30,195.60 including VAT. The award covers one lot and one supplier. Evaluation was conducted within the direct-award route rather than through a competitive tender. The requirement relates to the 2026 refit period scheduled for August to September, while the contract period extends through October. The selected supplier is a small or medium-sized enterprise, and the contract remains active following the award.

This procurement shows demand from a national oceanographic research organisation for a broad, vessel-based package of safety appliance servicing and certification. A credible future competitor would need marine experience and the technical capability to inspect, test, service and certify both portable equipment and integrated shipboard fire and life-saving systems. Relevant capability includes work on extinguishers, breathing apparatus, emergency escape equipment, immersion and fireman suits, hoses, hydrants, nozzles, lifejackets, carbon-dioxide and wet-chemical systems, fire detection, water mist and foam installations. Suppliers would also need to manage removal and refitting safely during a vessel refit, provide replacement equipment and cylinders where required, and produce recognised certification across the completed scope. The incumbent’s SME status indicates the requirement can be delivered by a focused specialist rather than only a large prime contractor.

## Notice

This contract is for the provision of assessment and certification services during the upcoming refit of RRS James Cook, scheduled for August to September 2026. The services relate to the current year's annual servicing, inspection, testing and certification of fire-fighting appliances and life-saving appliances on board the vessel. This includes portable and wheeled fire extinguishers, SCBA equipment and cylinders, EEBDs, immersion suits, fireman suits, fire hoses, hydrants, nozzles, foam-filled lifejackets, galley wet chemical and CO2 systems, the main CO2 system, fire detection and water mist systems, foam stations, replacement extinguishers, associated CO2 cylinders and hoses, labour for removal and refitting, and the issue of relevant certification.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076859-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| 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 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 31 Jul 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 Jul 2026 - 31 Oct 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £25,163 |

## 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 |
| Postcode area | 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 | PFC MARINE LTD |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79132000 - Certification services

## Release History

- 12 Aug 2026 at 14:54 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076859-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076859-2026
  12th August 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

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

## Provenance

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