---
title: "CSP26779 - RRS David Attenborough Annual Inspection 2026"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0773bc"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0773bc"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0773bc.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0773bc.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION"
published: "2026-09-16"
---

# CSP26779 - RRS David Attenborough Annual Inspection 2026

Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0773bc

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## Summary

UK Research and Innovation bought annual inspection and marine maintenance services for the RRS David Attenborough. The scope covers supplying a press gasket, carrying out MB and VNS checks, and providing certificates and records from previous inspections and maintenance. It also includes inspecting the vessel’s davit structure, general condition, leaks and deterioration. The procurement is for ship repair and maintenance services, classified under CPV 50241000. UKRI is the buying organisation, with UK Shared Business Services Ltd managing the procurement. The requirement relates specifically to the RRS David Attenborough and supports the vessel’s inspection, maintenance and operational condition.

This procurement has been awarded and the tender is complete. The contract was awarded to VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT LIMITED and signed on 15 September 2026. The contract period runs from 16 September to 14 December 2026. Its value is £11,978 including tax. UKRI used a below-threshold direct award without competition because it stated that there were no reasonable alternatives to the required goods, services or works. The procurement had one completed lot. The published outcome records an active award and active contract; no competitive evaluation basis is given because the requirement was concluded without competition.

For a supplier assessing future demand from UKRI, this requirement indicates a need for specialist marine maintenance linked to a research vessel. Relevant capability includes ship repair and maintenance, press-gasket supply, inspection of davit structures, and checks for general deterioration, leaks and condition. A credible competitor would also need to produce inspection certificates and maintain clear records of previous inspections and maintenance. Experience working on vessel safety equipment and structures would help demonstrate suitability for this type of work. The direct award was made to a specialist life-saving-equipment company, indicating that technical specialism and the ability to provide both physical inspection work and supporting compliance records are important to this buyer.

## Notice

***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded without competition there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. Contract details notice for the supply of press gasket including MB & VNS Checks certificates & records of last inspections & maintenance also Inspection of davit structure, general condition, leaks & deterioration to UKRI

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087903-2026 |
| 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 | 16 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 16 Sep 2026 - 14 Dec 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £11,978 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION |
| Locality | SWINDON |
| Postcode area | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN2 1FL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | VIKING LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT LIMITED |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50241000 - Repair and maintenance services of ships

## Release History

- 16 Sep 2026 at 15:49 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087903-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087903-2026
  16th September 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.uksbs.co.uk/
- https://www.viking-life.com/

## 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-0773bc. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0773bc.json.