---
title: "Marine Research Vessel Refit, Maintenance, Equipment and Support Services Framework"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06e6ac"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e6ac"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e6ac.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e6ac.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "National Oceanography Centre"
published: "2026-08-18"
---

# Marine Research Vessel Refit, Maintenance, Equipment and Support Services Framework

Buyer: National Oceanography Centre  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06e6ac

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e6ac)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e6ac.json)

## Summary

The National Oceanography Centre intends to establish a framework for refitting, maintaining, equipping and supporting its operational research vessels, including RRS James Cook and RRS Discovery, and associated marine assets and scientific systems. The scope covers docking and survey work, hull and structural repairs, propulsion, steering, mechanical and electrical engineering, fabrication, pipework, hydraulics, HVAC, cabling, systems installation, maintenance and commissioning. It also includes manufacturer or approved-partner support for critical vessel systems, marine research and survey equipment, technical services such as naval architecture and marine surveying, and the supply of maritime hardware, spares and consumables. Decarbonisation and environmental retrofit capability is of interest. Work will take place at yards, ports and NOC sites across the United Kingdom and overseas.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the buyer has announced its intention to procure and will undertake preliminary market engagement before publishing the tender. It expects to use a competitive flexible procedure to establish an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023, with call-offs made task by task through direct award or further competition. The framework is expected to have one or more lots, with the final structure, supplier numbers and call-off routes confirmed after engagement; suppliers should be able to apply for multiple lots. The planned framework period is 1 August 2027 to 31 July 2035. Its estimated total value is between £65 million and £100 million excluding VAT, with no guaranteed volume or value. The next notice is expected on 30 November 2026.

The framework should suit shipyards, dry-dock and wet-berth operators, marine engineering and fabrication contractors, equipment manufacturers, approved service partners, marine technology specialists, engineering consultancies and maritime hardware suppliers. Relevant capability may include vessel refit and classification-cycle survey work, propulsion and power systems, marine mechanical and electrical engineering, hydraulics, HVAC, coatings, pipework, controls, automation, navigation, communications, safety systems and energy management. Suppliers able to install, integrate, calibrate, service or upgrade hydrographic, oceanographic and environmental survey systems may be well placed, as may providers of naval architecture, marine surveying, superintendency, class liaison and project management. Geographic coverage in the UK or overseas, and dry-dock or wet-berth capacity, will be recorded. The opportunity is intended to accommodate SMEs and suppliers offering specialist or broader capabilities.

## Notice

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is looking to establish an open framework for the refit, maintenance, equipping and sustainment of its operational research vessels, including RRS James Cook and RRS Discovery, together with associated marine assets and scientific systems, across their working life. The support sought is expected to include the following broad areas, which are indicative and not exhaustive. Refit and docking support across the classification cycle, including the intermediate and special survey work falling due within it, broadly covering hull, structural and coating work, propulsion and steering intervention, tailshaft and rudder work, and the repair and renewal identified through survey. Both wet berth and dry dock coverage will be needed over the life of the framework, and the structure will be designed to accommodate suppliers offering either or both. General marine engineering and support capability, required both during refit periods and on an ongoing basis outside them, in the United Kingdom and overseas, broadly covering marine mechanical and electrical engineering, fabrication, pipework and hydraulics, HVAC, cabling and systems installation, interior works, running maintenance, defect rectification, modification, and commissioning and mobilisation to port. Support for critical vessel systems, from original equipment manufacturers and their approved partners, broadly covering propulsion, engines and gearboxes, navigation and bridge systems, communications and information and operational technology, electrical distribution and generation, safety and lifesaving systems, and control, automation and energy management, together with the inspection, overhaul, upgrade and certification these systems require. Support for marine research and survey systems, including supply, installation, integration, calibration, servicing and upgrade, broadly covering multibeam and singlebeam echo sounders, sub bottom profilers and acoustic positioning, oceanographic and environmental sensors and sensor packages, water column and seabed sampling systems, deck handling and over the side deployment equipment, and the associated data acquisition, processing and control infrastructure. Technical and professional marine services, independent of the yards, broadly covering naval architecture, marine surveying, superintendency, class liaison, project and programme management and specialist engineering consultancy. Supply of maritime hardware on a supply only basis, broadly covering equipment, spares, components and consumables, including original equipment manufacturer and approved equivalent parts. Capability for decarbonisation and environmental retrofit is of interest across all of the above. The framework is expected to be divided into lots. The lot structure, the number of suppliers appointed to each lot and the call off mechanisms will be confirmed following preliminary market engagement. Suppliers will be able to apply for one or more lots, and geographic capability, together with dry dock or wet berth capability, will be recorded at framework stage. NOC will be the sole contracting authority. The framework is expected to be established as an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023, with a duration of up to eight years, and will be reopened to new suppliers at points set out in the framework documents. Work will be ordered by call off contract on a task by task basis, covering both programmed and unplanned requirements, at yards, ports and NOC sites in the United Kingdom and overseas. Call off routes are expected to include direct award and further competition among the suppliers appointed to the relevant lot, with the applicable route set out in the framework at the outset. The estimated total value of the framework is estimated to be worth between PS65,000,000 & PS100,000,000 excluding VAT over its full duration. No guarantee of volume or value is given to any supplier appointed to the framework. Please note NOC intends to conduct preliminary market engagement before publishing the tender notice. Suppliers interested in taking part will be able to register through the details published with the preliminary market engagement notice.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078599-2026 |
| Notice type | UK1 - Pipeline Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 30 Nov 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Aug 2027 - 31 Jul 2035 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £100,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## 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 |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
- 50 - Repair and maintenance services
- 51 - Installation services (except software)
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 98 - Other community, social and personal services

### Codes

- 31120000 - Generators
- 34512000 - Ships and similar vessels for the transport of persons or goods
- 34513000 - Fishing, emergency and other special vessels
- 34930000 - Marine equipment
- 38290000 - Surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic and hydrological instruments and appliances
- 50240000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to marine and other equipment
- 50500000 - Repair and maintenance services for pumps, valves, taps and metal containers and machinery
- 51145000 - Installation services of marine engines
- 51200000 - Installation services of equipment for measuring, checking, testing and navigating
- 71300000 - Engineering services
- 98360000 - Marine services

## Release History

- 18 Aug 2026 at 14:56 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078599-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078599-2026
  18th August 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-06e6ac. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e6ac.json.