--- title: "Marine Survey Vessel" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE" published: "2026-07-24" --- # Marine Survey Vessel Buyer: SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265.json) ## Summary The Scottish Natural Heritage, trading as NatureScot, is currently in the tender phase for the procurement of a new Marine Survey Vessel. The procurement process is aimed at acquiring a replacement vessel and trailer for NatureScot’s current 24-year-old rigid hull inflatable boat. The vessel will facilitate marine environmental monitoring across various habitats within Scotland’s inshore waters. Located in Inverness, this open procedure has set a deadline for submissions by 24th August 2026. With a contract value estimated at £188,000, the contract award is expected to commence on the same date as the deadline. The project is categorised under the "Environmental Protection" sector and is designed for electronic submissions through Public Contracts Scotland. This tender presents considerable growth opportunities for businesses specializing in marine vessel design and manufacturing, particularly those with capabilities in delivering versatile and robust platforms suitable for scientific and operational activities. Companies with a track record in constructing vessels capable of supporting Marine Protected Area monitoring, species surveys, and operations in remote coastal locations would find this project well-aligned with their skills. Additionally, firms adept at producing vessels for environmental monitoring using technologies like drop-down video and remotely operated vehicles will find this tender particularly suited to their expertise. The emphasis on quality as the primary award criterion also highlights the importance of innovative and reliable design solutions in this procurement process. ## Notice NatureScot's survey vessel, Aphrodite, is a 24-year-old rigid hull inflatable boat that has reached the end of its recommended service life. NatureScot therefore requires the design, manufacture, commissioning, and delivery of a replacement versatile survey vessel and trailer capable of conducting marine environmental monitoring for a range of diverse habitats and species in Scotland's inshore waters. ### Lot Information Lot 1 The vessel will be used by NatureScot to undertake marine environmental monitoring and survey activities within Scotland's inshore waters (within 12nm). The vessel shall provide a safe, reliable, and versatile platform capable of supporting a range of scientific and operational activities, including: - Marine Protected Area (MPA) monitoring - Benthic habitat surveys - Species monitoring and evidence-gathering - Diver-based surveys and sampling - Drop-down video (DDV) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys - Deployment and recovery of scientific monitoring equipment - Acoustic monitoring and hydrographic survey activities - Operations in remote coastal and island locations (e.g. Shiant Isles, Mingulay and Sanday (Orkney)) The vessel shall be capable of supporting these activities whilst carrying personnel and equipment safely in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements.. Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Scottish Natural Heritage (NatureScot) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime. The duration of the contract may be varied in line with the finalised delivery programme. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560853 | | Notice type | OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 24 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 24 Aug 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £188,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | 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 | SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE | | Locality | INVERNESS | | Post town | Inverness | | Postcode | IV3 8NW | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM2 Highlands and Islands | | ITL 3 | TLM20 Highlands and Islands | | Local authority | Highland | | Electoral ward | Inverness West | | Westminster constituency | Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire | | Delivery location | TLM Scotland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation ### Codes - 34500000 - Ships and boats - 34520000 - Boats - 34521000 - Specialised boats ## Release History - 24 Jul 2026 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560853 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560853 Marine Survey Vessel - NatureScot's survey vessel, Aphrodite, is a 24-year-old rigid hull inflatable boat that has reached the end of its recommended service life. NatureScot therefore requires the design, manufacture, commissioning, and delivery of a replacement versatile survey vessel and trailer capable of conducting marine environmental monitoring for a range of diverse habitats and species in Scotland's inshore waters. ## Notice URLs - http:// - http://www.nature.scot - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=838265 - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=838265 ## 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-r6ebe6-0000838265. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000838265.json.