--- title: "School of Biology/SMRU: Helicopter for August Aerial Surveys of Seals in Scotland" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS" published: "2026-06-05" --- # School of Biology/SMRU: Helicopter for August Aerial Surveys of Seals in Scotland Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714.json) ## Summary The University of St Andrews has initiated a tendering process for the procurement of helicopter services dedicated to conducting aerial surveys of seals in Scotland during August. This contract falls under the 'services' category and is part of the education sector, specifically benefiting the School of Biology. The procurement follows an open procedure, encouraging wide-ranging participation. The submission deadline for electronic tenders is set for the 8th of July 2026, with the award period starting immediately after. The project is valued at £250,000 and is expected to be carried out primarily around the UK-St Andrews area. This tender presents a substantial opportunity for aviation service providers, particularly those with experience in wildlife conservation and aerial surveying. The project involves the use of thermal imaging technology to observe seals, making it an ideal match for businesses that specialise in advanced aerial equipment and animal studies. Given the duration of the contract and potential for extension, it offers considerable prospects for growth and continued engagement with the University of St Andrews. Businesses that can demonstrate a robust track record in similar projects, alongside the required technical and professional expertise, stand a favourable chance of securing this opportunity. ## Notice Helicopter for August Aerial Surveys of Seals in Scotland ### Lot Information Lot 1 SMRU have developed a technique for surveying seals inhabiting rocky coastlines using a thermal imaging camera in a helicopter. The survey equipment that will be used on/in the aircraft is described below under 'Survey methods & equipment'. Available survey periods are dictated by "low tide windows", i.e. local low water occurring in the afternoon, during the harbour seals' annual moult season in August. Surveys are weather dependent; we cannot survey in moderate or heavy rain as seals are more likely to leave their haul-out sites in very wet conditions. Over the next three to five years, SMRU is planning to carry out seal surveys around the Scottish coastline, excluding most islands that are over 10km offshore. All surveys will be carried out in August and could require up to a total of approximately 140 hours of engine time (including transit/positioning flights) spread over 30-40 flying days. Please see tender documents for full requirements.. All tenders for the University of St Andrews are administered through our eTendering System (InTend).To Express an Interest please go to our tender website at https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews Please note that 'Notes of Interest' placed via PCS (Public Contracts Scotland) are not automatically accepted Renewal: Provision for 2 x 12 month extensions subject to annual review. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN557352 | | Notice type | OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | 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 | 5 Jun 2026 | | Submission deadline | 8 Jul 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £250,000 | | Lots value | £250,000 | | 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 | UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS | | Locality | GUARDBRIDGE | | Post town | Kirkcaldy | | Postcode | KY16 0US | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM0 Eastern Scotland | | ITL 3 | TLM01 Clackmannanshire and Fife | | Local authority | Fife | | Electoral ward | Tay Bridgehead | | Westminster constituency | North East Fife | | Delivery location | TLM72 Clackmannanshire and Fife | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 60424100 - Hire of aircraft with crew - 60424120 - Hire of helicopters with crew ## Release History - 5 Jun 2026 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN557352 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN557352 School of Biology/SMRU: Helicopter for August Aerial Surveys of Seals in Scotland - Helicopter for August Aerial Surveys of Seals in Scotland ## Notice URLs - http:// - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=833714 - http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/procurement/ - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714 - https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews ## 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-r6ebe6-0000833714. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714.json.