Scope
Reference
CEFAS25-83
Description
The Coastal Health programme would like to build upon the previous community science work carried out by NHM in the pilot phase of the programme through the following activities.
Underwater Forests community science study:
• Maintain the existing study of Underwater Forests, supporting existing volunteers to collect data.
• Curate the data and make it publicly available.
• Evaluate the quality of the data collected.
• Produce a final report summarising:
• The methods chosen and trialled to recruit volunteers, collect and curate data on coastal organisms as indicators of coastal health,
• Key findings from the data collected,
• Findings from the evaluation exercise and recommendations for future Coastal Health community science studies.
Community Science for Healthy Coasts:
• Building on initial engagement led by the NHM under the pilot phase of Coastal Health, identify and engage with existing citizen science organisations and partnerships that undertake coastal monitoring, to help Cefas establish a network/partnership for advancing coastal health through community science, including NGOs, government bodies and existing coastal partnerships.
• Building on the findings of the Underwater Forests study, work with the above partnership to develop a toolkit for a future coastal health-focused community science monitoring study to address gaps in existing monitoring programmes. The contents of this toolkit may include methods and recommendations for: recruiting volunteers, user-testing resources, data collection and quality assurance protocols, and communication approaches.
Deliverables:
1. A summary report of the methods, findings and evaluation of the Underwater Forests Community Science study.
To be delivered by - 20th March 2026
2. Underwater Forests survey data to be made open access on NHM data ecosystem.
To be delivered by - As soon as possible and no later than 20th March 2026
3. A toolkit for a coastal health community science study that supports the monitoring of the health of UK coastal ecosystems.
To be delivered by - 20th March 2026
4. Reporting progress and risks at a monthly meeting with Cefas and providing quarterly financial and progress reports to the programme board.
To be delivered monthly and quarterly, ending by 31st March 2026
Contract 1. CEFS25-83 Contract for Underwater Forest Study & Citizen Initiative
Supplier
Contract value
- £62,000 excluding VAT
- £74,400 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Date signed
4 September 2025
Contract dates
- 5 September 2025 to 31 March 2026
- 6 months, 26 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73112000 - Marine research services
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - without competition
Supplier
National History Museum Trading Company Ltd
Cromwell Road
London
SW7 5BD
United Kingdom
Email: nhmconsulting@nhm.ac.uk
Region: UKI33 - Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. CEFS25-83 Contract for Underwater Forest Study & Citizen Initiative
Contracting authority
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPGW-5299-JGTN
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
United Kingdom
Email: procure@cefas.gov.uk
Region: UKH14 - Suffolk
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government