Award

CEFAS25-25 Contract for provision of intertidal Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) flights for Hinkley Point C Nuclear New Build project

  • CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

UK6: Contract award notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-052332

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05065b (view related notices)

Published 29 August 2025, 10:50am



Scope

Reference

CEFAS25-25

Description

The BEEMS (British EDF Estuarine and Marine Studies) programme is funded by NNB Generation Company (HPC) Limited. Through this programme, Cefas provide authoritative scientific information on the marine and transitional waters in the vicinity of potential new build nuclear power stations.

Cefas require a supplier to conduct intertidal Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) flights, in accordance with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines, to monitor potential coastal change and intertidal algal coverage for the Hinkley Point C (HPC) Nuclear New Build project to meet regulatory environmental monitoring requirements.

RPA flights and photography are required: (1) along the Hinkley Point foreshore, and; (2) at Combwich Wharf and the surrounding banks of the River Parrett. Flight/survey design and equipment specification must be sufficient for Cefas to create orthophotos (OPs) and Digital Surface Models (DSMs) with a Ground Sampling Distance ((GSD), i.e. resolution) of 3cm/pixel or better (exceptions are detailed in full Specification).

Cefas requires that the Supplier's flight team assumes full responsibility for the comprehensive management of all aspects of each survey. This includes, but is not limited to, planning (including securing all necessary access), issuing survey notifications in advance of each flight, liaising with NNB regarding other flight operators and ensuring the safe and successful execution of every survey with delivery of data as detailed in the Specification.

The Contract will be awarded as soon as possible following notification of award, expected early September 2025, with the first Surveys due to start in October or November 2025, pending completion of all pre-survey health and safety requirements detailed above.

The initial Contract period will be to 31 December 2026, with the option to extend by an additional 3 x 12-month periods, to be awarded annually, subject to funding, up to maximum end date of 31 December 2029. Please note that these extensions are not guaranteed. The total estimated budget of £625,000 (excluding VAT) covers the full potential Contract duration.


Contract 1. CEFAS25-25 Contract for provision of intertidal Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)

Supplier

Contract value

  • £500,000 excluding VAT
  • £600,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Award decision date

28 August 2025

Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers

29 August 2025

Standstill period

  • End: 9 September 2025
  • 8 working days

Earliest date the contract will be signed

10 September 2025

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 11 September 2025 to 31 December 2026
  • Possible extension to 31 December 2029
  • 4 years, 3 months, 20 days

Description of possible extension:

Up to 3 x 12 month extensions

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 79311000 - Survey services

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom

Information about tenders

  • 3 tenders received
  • 3 tenders assessed in the final stage:
    • 3 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
    • 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
  • 1 supplier awarded contracts
  • 2 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)

Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure


Supplier

Marine Science Support

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQYB-7172-CPBR

The Convent House, Heathfieldlake Hill, Chudleigh

Newton Abbot

TQ13 0DR

United Kingdom

Region: UKK43 - Devon CC

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Associated people/organisations:

Captured Motion

Contract 1. CEFAS25-25 Contract for provision of intertidal Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)


Contracting authority

CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPGW-5299-JGTN

Pakefield Road

Lowestoft

NR33 0HT

United Kingdom

Contact name: Holly Power

Email: procure@cefas.gov.uk

Website: https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome

Region: UKH14 - Suffolk

Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government