Scope
Reference
C0274
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 southern North Sea, Netherlands or Denmark, for a scientific drilling and coring campaign for a period of 30 days (estimated) between June and September 2026
This scientific coring project seeks to extend our understanding of Earth's dynamics during the last 50 ice ages and the warmer periods between them. The North Sea Basin is an area that was heavily impacted by these ice age cycles as climate fluctuated between fully glacial to warmer-than-present conditions. The continuous sediment accumulation found in this marine environment should be thought of as a 'tape recorder' that contain an almost complete record of glacial-interglacial episodes, providing insight on Europe's past climate, ecology, and large river systems over the last ~3.3 million years. Relatively little is known about how Europe evolved during repeated ice age cycles. In this expedition, we aim to collect geological samples to gain insight into the baseline dynamics and thresholds for depositional and ecosystem regime shifts, as well as biodiversity turnover driven by rapid climate changes. This research will help us better understand the environmental responses to modern-day warming.
The Contractor must be able to supply the full operational spread including a drill rig, the vessel, and all personnel required to operate the spread. The drilling platform must be capable of recovering core to at least 1200m below seafloor in shallow water depths (28m or 60m).
UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice: 2025/S 000-014119
Contract 1. UKRI-4855 North Sea Late Cenozoic Environments
Supplier
Contract value
- 14883062.50 EUR excluding VAT
- 14883062.50 EUR including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
3 November 2025
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
3 November 2025
Standstill period
- End: 12 November 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
14 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 December 2025 to 30 September 2026
- 10 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 76340000 - Core drilling
Contract locations
- DK0 - Denmark
- DK01 - Capital (region)
- NL - Netherlands
Information about tenders
- 1 tender received
- 1 tender assessed in the final stage:
- 0 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 1 supplier awarded contracts
- 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Supplier
Fugro UK Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRXQ-1136-DLQY
Fugro House
Wallingford
OX10 9RB
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. UKRI-4855 North Sea Late Cenozoic Environments
Contracting authority
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDQJ-7126-JDHG
Polaris House
Swindon, Wiltshire
SN2 1FL
United Kingdom
Contact name: Kate Richardson
Telephone: +44 1793442000
Email: nercprocurement@ukri.org
Website: https://www.ukri.org/
Region: UKK14 - Swindon
Organisation type: Public authority - central government