Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
UK Research & Innovation
North Star Avenue
Swindon
SN2 1FL
Contact
Kate Richardson
Telephone
+44 7562167366
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK14 - Swindon
National registration number
Polaris House
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
http://www.ukri.delta-esourcing.com
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Research
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
UKRI-3201 New England Shelf Hydrogeology
Reference number
UKRI-3201
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 76320000 - Offshore drilling services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The British Geological Survey (BGS), acting on behalf of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD), requires a marine coring capability and suitable vessel to operate offshore New England, USA, for a scientific drilling, coring and groundwater sampling campaign for a period of between 60 – 90 days (estimated) between May and August 2025. This scientific coring project seeks to extend our understanding of the current and past states of fluid composition, pressure, and temperature in continental shelf environments. In many coastal settings worldwide, the distribution of freshwater within continental shelf sediments is far out of equilibrium with modern sea level. One of the most remarkable examples is found on the Atlantic continental shelf off New England where groundwater within shallow Pliocene-Pleistocene sand aquifers over 100 km offshore has low salinity (3000 mg/l or less). This project will test several hypotheses to help constrain rates, directions, and mechanisms of groundwater flow and chemical fluxes in continental shelf systems.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: 26,000,000 USD
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 34514000 - Floating or submersible drilling or production platforms
- 43124900 - Rock-drilling equipment
- 45262422 - Subsea drilling work
- 76340000 - Core drilling
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- US - United States
Main site or place of performance
United States
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The project requires a contractor to provide a suitable platform from which to deploy coring apparatus to achieve near-continuous core samples (min. diameter 64mm) from seabed to a total depth (TD) of 550 mbsf (meters below sea floor) at each of 3 pre-determined sites. Additionally, the project requires to drill (not core) 2 boreholes at 2 of the 3 pre-determined sites for groundwater testing and sampling at specific intervals selected using the results from the cored boreholes. The contractor will be responsible for supplying the vessel and personnel; and undertaking the drilling, coring and groundwater testing/sampling requirements.
two.2.14) Additional information
UKRI are seeking to engage with interested contractors prior to going to market. Contractors are encouraged to express their interest in the opportunity via the Delta esourcing portal. Following an expression of interest, contractors may be invited to further engagement opportunities.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 July 2024
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Swindon:-Offshore-drilling-services./88M76V55Z8
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/respond/88M76V55Z8
GO Reference: GO-2024524-PRO-26233639