Scope
Description
This commission is for the provision of marine data management and support services for the MERMAN+ system (the "Data Manager"). The role requires demonstrable expertise in marine data management, and both UK and international marine data landscapes, as well as reporting commitments (see below). The project will ensure delivery of quality-assured marine environmental data to relevant parties and provide an assured evidence-base that will strengthen policy decisions within the UK and Europe.
MERMAN+ data are used to fulfil statutory reporting obligations under the UK Marine Strategy (UKMS) Regulations 2010 and mandatory reporting obligations under the Oslo Paris Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (the OSPAR Convention). OSPAR commitments are met through the annual onward submission of MERMAN+ data to ICES. MERMAN+ data are also submitted to European Marine Observation and Data Network (E
Total value (estimated)
- £330,000 excluding VAT
- £396,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 29 December 2025 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2030
- 4 years, 3 months, 3 days
Description of possible extension:
Extension for up to 12 months, if required by Contracting Authority
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
For up to 12 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72322000 - Data management services
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
29 October 2025, 8:00am
Tender submission deadline
24 November 2025, 9:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
9 December 2025
Recurring procurement
Publication date of next tender notice (estimated): 9 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Weighting (inc Social Value) | Technical requirements, including two sections covering social value. |
Quality | 60.00% |
| Commercial | Two year cost of meeting requirement based on scenario presented under tender document Appendix B Indicative Work Breakdown |
Cost | 40.00% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Justification for not publishing a preliminary market engagement notice
Open tender to replace existing requirement
Contracting authority
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PNBD-3289-CDGX
Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Contact name: Alan Green
Email: alan.green@defra.gov.uk
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government