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CEFAS26-10 Offshore and Onshore Observer Programme

Buyer: CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE →

View official notice ↗Official source

BuyerCENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
StatusAwarded
Deadline27 Feb 2026
Value£750,000
Published15 May 2026

What is being bought

The Offshore Observer Programme is a cornerstone of the UK’s approach to sustainable fisheries management. It provides independent, high-quality data that underpins stock assessments, advice, and compliance with national and international obligations, including the Fisheries Act 2020. By placing trained observers on commercial fishing vessels, the programme ensures accurate information on catch composition, discards, and biological characteristics is collected during normal fishing operations. To meet the requirements of the Fisheries Act 2020, Cefas contributes to the data collection and collation requirements laid out in the UK Data Collection Framework (DCF). The UK DCF ensures consistent and continuous fisheries data collection across each UK administration, enabling them to establish multiannual programmes for the collection and management of these data. In England, Cefas is responsible, for the most part, for the collection of fisheries-dependent data, which includes deploying Offshore Observers on commercial fishing vessels to sample catches of shellfish, demersal and pelagic fish stocks, and associated bycatch. Access to vessels is negotiated on a voluntary basis, as there is no mandatory requirement for vessels to carry observers. Maintaining strong industry relationships and professional conduct is therefore essential to secure ongoing cooperation. Each year, Cefas determines the number of sampling trips required to meet DCF obligations and allocates resources accordingly. These targets are achieved through a combination of Cefas-employed observers and external observers supplied under this Contract. Observers are responsible for arranging sea trips on commercial fishing vessels, collecting trip-level information, catch composition, and biological data (including size, otoliths/scales, sex, and maturity). Upon return, all data must be entered into the Cefas Observer Database. All in accordance with established protocols and timelines. The aim of the Cefas Observer Programme is to: 3.1. Accurately characterise the catches and fishing activities of the English fleet by collecting detailed data on species composition, quantity and biological parameters (size, sex, maturity and otoliths/scales) from catch and bycatch in a fishery (primarily demersal). 3.2. Routinely provide validated datasets that are integral to international stock assessments and national/international fisheries and marine management advice. 3.3. Provide the opportunity to collaborate and co-develop the programme and adopt new technologies that demonstrably improves efficiency and data quality without compromising safety or neutrality. Observers must always maintain professional behaviour. This protects Cefas’ reputation and ensures continued access to vessels for sampling. The Supplier must provide observers who are self-motivated, capable of working independently, and highly disciplined, with a proven track record of collecting scientific data aboard commercial fishing vessels.

Lot details

Lot 1

No lot description published.

Statuscomplete

Comparable-procurement analytics

No usable CPV category has been published, so a comparable market set cannot yet be built.

Procurement strategy & market signals

Framework agreementNot published
Dynamic purchasing systemNot published
Competitive procurementNot published
Recurring requirementNot published
Procurement method rationaleNot published
Rationale classificationsNot published
Special regimeNot published
Covered byNot published
Submission policyNot published
Selection criteriaNot published
Risk detailsNot published

Planning & early market engagement

BudgetNot published
No-engagement rationaleNot published
Planning documents0
Planning milestones0

No planning milestones published.

Related procurements

No linked framework, prior procurement or reprocurement published.

Awards

Contracts

CEFAS26-10 – Contract for Offshore Observer Services for Biological Data Collection

Statusactive
Value£350,000

Documents & submission route

  • Not published

Source data inventory

Diagnostic view. “Not published” means this current release does not provide a value.

OCIDocds-h6vhtk-060e51
Latest release ID044991-2026
Latest release timestampFri May 15 2026 14:09:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Sourcefind-a-tender
Official notice URLhttps://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006572-2026
Tender statuscomplete
Procurement methodopen
Procurement method detailsOpen procedure
Main procurement categoryNot published
Above thresholdNot published
Legal basis2023/54
Tender period: startNot published
Tender period: endNot published
Expression of interest deadlineNot published
Enquiry deadlineNot published
Award period: startNot published
Award period: endNot published
Submission method detailsNot published
Submission languagesNot published
Electronic catalogue policyNot published
Total tender valueNot published
Tender lots in source1
Tender items in source0
Tender documents in source1
Awards in latest release1
Contracts in latest release1
Parties in latest release2

Notice history

DateEventReference
15 May 2026award, contract044991-2026
16 Mar 2026award, contract023473-2026
26 Jan 2026tender006572-2026

All source data

Unmodified official OCDS data retained by Tenderline for this procurement process.

Complete current OCDS release JSON
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        "region": "UKH14",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Lowestoft",
        "postalCode": "NR33 0HT",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Pakefield Road"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PPGW-5299-JGTN",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "procure@cefas.gov.uk"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PYWR-6328-JHPR",
      "name": "SEASCOPE FISHERIES RESEARCH LIMITED",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKE22",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Scarborough",
        "postalCode": "YO11 2DR",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "19 Cromwell Road"
      },
      "control": {
        "description": "Guy Pasco, Director or individual with the same responsibilities\nGrant Course, Director or individual with the same responsibilities"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "http://www.seascopefisheries.co.uk",
        "vcse": false,
        "scale": "sme",
        "shelteredWorkshop": false,
        "publicServiceMissionOrganization": false
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PYWR-6328-JHPR",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "admin@seascopefisheries.co.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}
26 Jan 2026 · 006572-2026 · tender
{
  "id": "006572-2026",
  "tag": [
    "tender"
  ],
  "date": "2026-01-26T11:48:27Z",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-060e51",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PPGW-5299-JGTN",
    "name": "CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "C32696",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "value": {
          "amount": 750000,
          "currency": "GBP",
          "amountGross": 900000
        },
        "status": "active",
        "renewal": {
          "description": "2 x 12 months"
        },
        "hasRenewal": true,
        "suitability": {
          "sme": true,
          "vcse": true
        },
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "name": "Technical",
              "type": "quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 60,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ]
            },
            {
              "name": "Social Value",
              "type": "quality",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 10,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ]
            },
            {
              "name": "Price",
              "type": "price",
              "numbers": [
                {
                  "number": 30,
                  "weight": "percentageExact"
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2029-04-19T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2026-04-20T00:00:00+01:00",
          "maxExtentDate": "2031-04-19T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "selectionCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "type": "economic",
              "description": "As per Bidder Pack"
            },
            {
              "type": "technical",
              "description": "As per Bidder Pack"
            }
          ]
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "76520000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Offshore services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "CEFAS26-10 Offshore and Onshore Observer Programme",
    "value": {
      "amount": 750000,
      "currency": "GBP",
      "amountGross": 900000
    },
    "status": "active",
    "coveredBy": [
      "GPA"
    ],
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "conflictOfInterest",
        "documentType": "conflictOfInterest"
      },
      {
        "id": "006572-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006572-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK4",
        "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "tenderNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-01-26T11:48:27Z"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "recurrence": {
      "dates": [
        {
          "startDate": "2031-01-01T23:59:59Z"
        }
      ]
    },
    "awardPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-03-23T23:59:59Z"
    },
    "description": "The Offshore Observer Programme is a cornerstone of the UK’s approach to sustainable fisheries management. It provides independent, high-quality data that underpins stock assessments, advice, and compliance with national and international obligations, including the Fisheries Act 2020. By placing trained observers on commercial fishing vessels, the programme ensures accurate information on catch composition, discards, and biological characteristics is collected during normal fishing operations.\nTo meet the requirements of the Fisheries Act 2020, Cefas contributes to the data collection and collation requirements laid out in the UK Data Collection Framework (DCF). The UK DCF ensures consistent and continuous fisheries data collection across each UK administration, enabling them to establish multiannual programmes for the collection and management of these data.\nIn England, Cefas is responsible, for the most part, for the collection of fisheries-dependent data, which includes deploying Offshore Observers on commercial fishing vessels to sample catches of shellfish, demersal and pelagic fish stocks, and associated bycatch. Access to vessels is negotiated on a voluntary basis, as there is no mandatory requirement for vessels to carry observers. Maintaining strong industry relationships and professional conduct is therefore essential to secure ongoing cooperation.\nEach year, Cefas determines the number of sampling trips required to meet DCF obligations and allocates resources accordingly. These targets are achieved through a combination of Cefas-employed observers and external observers supplied under this Contract. Observers are responsible for arranging sea trips on commercial fishing vessels, collecting trip-level information, catch composition, and biological data (including size, otoliths/scales, sex, and maturity). Upon return, all data must be entered into the Cefas Observer Database. All in accordance with established protocols and timelines.\nThe aim of the Cefas Observer Programme is to:\n3.1. Accurately characterise the catches and fishing activities of the English fleet by collecting detailed data on species composition, quantity and biological parameters (size, sex, maturity and otoliths/scales) from catch and bycatch in a fishery (primarily demersal).\n3.2. Routinely provide validated datasets that are integral to international stock assessments and national/international fisheries and marine management advice.\n3.3. Provide the opportunity to collaborate and co-develop the programme and adopt new technologies that demonstrably improves efficiency and data quality without compromising safety or neutrality.\nObservers must always maintain professional behaviour. This protects Cefas’ reputation and ensures continued access to vessels for sampling. The Supplier must provide observers who are self-motivated, capable of working independently, and highly disciplined, with a proven track record of collecting scientific data aboard commercial fishing vessels.\nSee APPENDIX 4 of the Bidder Pack for full specification of requirements.\nPrior Market Engagement was not conducted as the market is well known to Cefas through previous Contracts of this nature.",
    "riskDetails": "Prolonged Adverse Weather\nDue to the requirement being carried out at sea onboard vessels, there is a risk of prolonged adverse weather which could impact the vessels ability to go to sea to fish.\nThis could result in additional costs due to the Supplier needing to stand down and remain available to go out when the weather improves.\nUnable to address the risk upfront as weather is beyond control of Buyer or Supplier.\nRisk assigned to both parties.\nChange in requirements related to the Fisheries Act 2020 and UKDCF and/or other policy and legislation\nDue to changes in relevant policy, legislation, and other government requirements, Cefas may be required to amend the programme to meet these needs.\nThis could result in amendment to the scope of works, timelines and costs.\nUnable to address the risk upfront as neither Buyer or Supplier has control over these elements.\nRisk assigned to Buyer.",
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-02-27T10:00:00Z"
    },
    "contractTerms": {
      "financialTerms": "As per Bidder Pack"
    },
    "enquiryPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2026-02-18T10:00:00Z"
    },
    "hasRecurrence": true,
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "submissionTerms": {
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ],
      "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed"
    },
    "procurementMethod": "open",
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "submissionMethodDetails": "https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome\nAll bids to be submitted via the above eProcurement system.",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PPGW-5299-JGTN",
      "name": "CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKH14",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Lowestoft",
        "postalCode": "NR33 0HT",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Pakefield Road"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthoritySubCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - sub-central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PPGW-5299-JGTN",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "procure@cefas.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}