CEFAS26-115 ITT for a Small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Cefas currently uses hand deployable multi-parameter sondes (CTDs) for collecting water column data. With the advent of easy-to-use small AUVs we wish to supplement these programs with more autonomous data collection. We envision a platform which will collect data comparable with our current instruments, which can also operate fully autonomously for a period of hours while our staff conduct other activities.

3. Technical Requirement

Cefas require one small autonomous underwater vehicle equipped with biogeochemical sensors to supplement our water quality monitoring efforts.

3.1 The vehicle will be capable of collecting marine biogeochemical observations to a depth of 250 m.

3.2 It will weigh no more than 20 kg in air and will be deployable by a single person by hand, from shore or small vessels.

3.3 It will be fitted with sensors meeting the following specifications.

3.3.1 Temperature:

Range: 0°C to 35°C

Initial accuracy: ±0.01°

Resolution: 0.0005°C

Time constant: ~1s

Typical stability: < 0.002°C per year

3.3.2 Conductivity

Range: 0–85 mS/cm

Initial accuracy: ±0.003 mS/cm

Resolution: 0.001 mS/cm

Typical stability: < 0.02 mS/cm per year

3.3.3 Oxygen concentration

Range: 0–500 µM

Initial accuracy: ±2 µM

Resolution: 0.1 µM

Time constant: < 8 s

Typical stability: < 0.5 % per year

3.3.4 Chlorophyll-a fluorescence

3.3.5 Optical backscatter / turbidity

3.3.6 The following optional sensors are of value:

• fDOM
• Photosynthetically active radiation (Cosine)

3.4 It will be capable of maintaining a fixed depth from the seabed.

3.5 It will be capable of repeatedly navigating a saw-tooth transect mission plan in the presence of horizontal currents up to 2 knots, while maintaining navigation performance.

3.6 It will have an endurance of no less than 5 hours under the stated conditions in this Specification.

3.7 Mission planning will be possible via software graphical user interface.

3.8 Surface communications will be provided; VHF or Iridium SBD are acceptable.

3.9 The vehicle will be fitted with high-visibility markings and means of surface location and recovery.

3.10 The vehicle’s software will have safeguards to prevent the operation of a dangerous mission plan. e.g. a maximum depth specified beyond the capabilities of the vehicle.

3.11 The vehicle will have an abort-mission procedure to safely return the vehicle to the surface when it encounters an issue with its navigation, internal monitors or sensors.

3.12 Data should be easily downloadable from the vehicle, and the process take no more than a few minutes.

4 Environmental Considerations

4.1 The system should have a low power consumption.

4.2 The system should be designed for reuse/remanufacture and of regenerative nature to eliminate waste where possible.

4.3 Consideration of how packaging will be managed. Ideally at the time of delivery and/or installation the Supplier will remove packaging and dispose of by ethical and environmentally friendly methods. Where possible packaging is to be re-used or recycled.

4.4 Consideration of life cycle assessment for the equipment.

5 Hardware, Software, PC, Licenses, operating systems

5.1 Any software required to operate the vehicle will be compatible with Windows 11 operating system, built in line with NCSC guidance and updates available for the lifetime of the machine.

5.2 Any software licences required for the operation of the vehicle will be a one-off purchase only and not be as a subscription service. Please confirm this in your response and include all one-off costs in Appendix 6 – Pricing Schedule.

5.3 If a cloud-based service is required to operate the vehicle or manage its data, demonstrate how our data would be kept secure. Any cloud servers must be located within UK or Northern Europe.

5.4 Details of the proposed data transfer method(s) between the vehicle, operating software and user are required, including any internet connection or remote access needed.

5.5 It will operate without an internet connection. At a minimum, the vehicle must be able to be deployed without one. Details of which functions are available offline and which need an internet connection are required. All data collected by the vehicle, and any data derived from it, will belong to Cefas.

6 Compatibility with existing hardware/software/equipment (if applicable)

6.1 Intercomparison with our existing instruments is valued and we prefer vehicles which have integrated RBR instruments, specifically the RBR Legato and Tridente. Suppliers proposing this will be scored higher.

7 Training

7.1 The unit will not require extensive training and Cefas must be able to easily set up and start use. Suppliers will provide information to confirm the set up process and any relevant information needed to understand.

7.2 Manuals and associated training materials must be provided.

8 Ease of maintenance

8.1 Rechargeable batteries are preferred.

8.2 Calibration of the sensors should be easy, preferably they can be simply removed and independently calibrated in a lab.

8.3 The sensors should be independently replaceable.

9 Parts, Consumables and Updates

9.1 Software updates are expected to be included for the lifetime of the vehicle at no additional cost.

9.2 Replacement parts will be made available at reasonable cost.

9.3 An indication of annual servicing requirements and costs must be provided in your submission.

10 Warranties, Guarantees, Servicing

10.1 Warranties will start from the point of acceptance of delivery and once the goods have been tested to ensure they are in working order. Cefas expect minimum warranty period of 12 months to be included in the purchase

11. Delivery

It is essential that delivery is made to Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory week commencing 15th March 2027. You should confirm lead time in your bid submission.

Please refrain from bidding if you are unable to guarantee delivery by this date.

If the awarded supplier is unable to meet the delivery date agreed in the final Contract, Cefas reserves the right to terminate the Contract as per the Conditions of Contract.

12. Location for goods to be delivered

Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT

INCOTERMS:

All pricing provided must be inclusive of shipping to ‘INCOTERM DDP’ if item is being imported.

13. Data Protection

13.1. Tenderers should note that the Authority requires all Tenderers are to be registered under the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) and comply with (or equivalent national legislation) by the time their responses to the Invitation to Tenders (ITT) are submitted. The Authority will require evidence of such registration such as DPA notification number with the Tenderers response to the ITT.

13.2. Where appropriate the Authority may require Tenderer to complete and share with the Authority a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) to demonstrate correct handling of personal identifiable information in compliance with the DPA 2018.

14. Security

14.1. Where appropriate the Authority may require Tenderer’s personnel appointed to work on the contract to comply with HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Tenderers should note that they will be required to supply all necessary information and documentation needed by the Authority to enable such checks to be made before the commencement of any contract and must meet the costs associated with carrying out such checks.

14.2. From time to time the Authority may have higher security requirements and the Provider’s personnel working on the contract will need to “undertake and complete national security vetting at Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) or Security Check (SC) levels.

14.3. Where appropriate the Authority may require the Tenderer’s information technology infrastructure to be certified to Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+) or ISO27001 and provide a copy of the CE+ certificate or a copy of the ISO27001 certificate and the ISO27001 Statement of Applicability (SoA).

15. Contract Duration

The Contract implementation is expected to start 15 December 2026 and will remain in effect until the expiry of the warranty period.