Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
Contact
Garry Raisbeck
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Cefas Research Vessel. Infrastructure to Support Future Delivery at Sea
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 34513550 - Survey vessels
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The purpose of this PIN is to notify the market of an upcoming tender opportunity (subject to Business Case approval) for the provision of a Research Vessel (RV) to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas).
This RV will replace the existing RV Cefas Endeavour that is reaching the end of its operational life and is critical to enabling Cefas to collect scientific data at sea and which can transform the way our seas are monitored by embracing new technologies for data collection and by providing next generation capability to progress our commitments to net zero. Cefas wishes to engage a suitably qualified and experienced shipyard for the design and build of a new Research Vessel which is specifically tailored to meet Cefas’ marine and fisheries scientific requirements and be capable of technological update over a service life of 30 years minimum.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £100,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 34500000 - Ships and boats
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This PIN is to notify of the upcoming procurement (subject to Business Case approval) to establish a contract for the design, build, commission, and delivery of a replacement Research Vessel in accordance with the following high-level specification:
85m max length
Less than 5,000gt
Draft of approx. 5.5m
Beam of approx. 18m
Berths - 40 persons
Multi-fuel (synthetic methanol / HVO / MGO)
DP2
ICES209
This RV is intended to be a flexible platform suitable to perform tasks that include but are not limited to :
Fishing
Remote Sensing (e.g. hydrography, physical oceanography, etc.)
Water Sampling
Seabed Sampling
Static Deployed Equipment (e.g. buoys)
Dynamic Deployed Equipment (e.g. Remotely Operated Vehicle, etc.)
The RV Cefas Endeavour reaches the end of its operational life in 2033 and it is the intention to enter a new vessel into service prior to this to ensure continuity of scientific delivery.
The value of this procurement (the design and build) is estimated to be in the region of £70 - 100 million.
Part of the requirement may also include identifying potential funding, financing and/or partnership options which may be applicable throughout the project lifecycle for both the design / build element and during the operational lifetime.
Cefas plan to engage with the market at an event in November 2024 (further details below). This will provide an opportunity to share additional information on the requirement and gather feedback on the high-level specification and commercial approach.
two.2.14) Additional information
This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is not a call for competition. It should be noted that this PIN invites organisations to participate in pre-market activity.
Interested parties will need to express an interest in any potential future tender opportunity once / if a Contract Notice is published. It should be noted that this PIN invites individuals and organisations to express an interest only.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 July 2025
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
We will be hosting a market engagement event on Tuesday 12th November 2024 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Manchester Airport Outwood Ln, Manchester M90 4WP. To obtain the Agenda and access for the event please register for the event please visit: https://events.humanitix.com/cefas-infrastructure-to-support-future-delivery-at-sea-market-engagement-event