Official UK procurement notice
NRW Diving services open framework 1 2026
Authority: Natural Resources Wales (Central government)
What is being bought8 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionNatural Resources Wales (NRW) have appointed qualified professional scuba diving
contractors to support our marine biological monitoring programme within Wales' Special
Areas of Conservation (SACs).
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 2 May 2034, 23:59 BST.
CPV: Diving services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- call-offs are awarded directly to appointed suppliers, without further competition
- Bids received
- 3 bids on the busiest of 8 lots · 3 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 7 yrs 11 mo from 15 Jun 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 14 Jun 2034
Published description of the framework
call offs will be conducted via direct award based on specialism relevant to the specific lot and framework rates.
Lots and requirements (8)Procurement structure
8 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 8 lots carries the same published figure, £700,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Sponge taxonomistAwardedceiling above
A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have an advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification and taxonomy of marine sponges (Porifera), including methods for identification and preservation and will have key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible.
Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.
Lot #2Algal taxonomistAwardedceiling above
A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have an advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification and taxonomy of red, green and brown marine seaweeds, the methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible.
Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.
Lot #3Non invasive species taxonomistAwardedceiling above
A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification of UK non-native species. They will have excellent taxonomic skills to be able to differentiate these species from similar native species. They will be up to date with such species currently found or likely to be found in Wales and the UK, horizon scanning literature and other sources of information. They will have specialist knowledge in the methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible.
Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.
Lot #4Experienced monitoring surveyor/diving marine biologistAwardedceiling above
A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have excellent subtidal epibenthic species identification skills, being able to identify common Welsh subtidal species from the following phyla/groups: sponges, hydroids, annelids, molluscs, bryozoans, ascidians, algae and fish. They will be able demonstrate their experience in carrying out a variety of underwater ecological surveying techniques similar to that identified in NRW’s Standard Operating Procedures for our subtidal diving SAC monitoring, including species ‘cell frequency counts’, ‘Sponge morphologies quadrats’, and transect type surveys. They will also be experienced in photography, videography and other marine fieldwork methodologies to carry out our routine monitoring work
Lot #5Assistant surveyorAwardedceiling above
An experienced diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. A scientific diver with biological knowledge - not to be confused with commercial divers who may be an experienced diver but have no biological expertise/knowledge nor training in biological field survey techniques. Able to assist experienced surveyors, carry out videography, targeted sample collection, and surveys where less taxonomic skills are required such as sponge luxuriance, sponge morphology or seagrass surveys.
Lot #6Diving supervisorAwardedceiling above
A person suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work in accordance with the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work Regulations. They don’t need to have biological expertise, but they do need to understand the nature of the work and the areas / dive sites where the diving operations are to take place. They will be expected to keep records of diving activities, control the diving operations, liaise with other maritime users and assist with the running of survey logistics. This role is for the supply of a dedicated diving supervisor as opposed to the provision of ad hoc rolling dive supervisor duties whilst providing services under another Lot
Lot #7Survey coordinatorAwardedceiling above
A person with the skills and experience to plan, lead and coordinate field logistics and manage dive teams. Close liaison with the NRW project officer assisting in the coordination of survey requirements and field team as needed. Creating HSE Dive Project Plans, liaising with relevant Harbour Authorities and ensuring Notice to Mariners are issued where required. Liaising with recompression chambers facilities ahead of and during surveys to ensure availability in an emergency. Able to ensure the quality of the information gathered (monitoring data, dive logs, field activity diary etc), is secured and appropriately catalogued. Competent in ensuring the completion of an end of survey field report that summarises field operations and (with input from NRW staff) draws summary conclusions from the data collected. It is expected (and will be preferentially selected for) that the coordinator, if suitably skilled and experienced, would also act as one of the above diving and/or supervisor roles
Lot #8Data AnalystAwardedceiling above
A person with a scientific background and preferably a diver with an appreciation of marine biological species and survey methods. They will be adept at transcribing complex data from field recording forms to spreadsheets or into databases such as Marine Recorder Online. Able to check the taxonomic species names in relevant literature where necessary. They will be competent in data validation techniques, use of spreadsheets and statistical software. The analyst may also be required to work with imaging software such Adobe Photoshop and Premiere for stitching images or extracting species data. A knowledge of annotation software BIIGLE and CATAMI would be advantageous. This role may be expected to attend surveys and input data at the survey base but not necessarily take part in diving operations themselves.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- technical: 70%
- price: 30%
Published award criteria (2)
- technical
- price
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “NRW Diving services open framework 1 2026” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract, and call-offs are awarded directly: getting appointed is the whole game.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- Who may use the vehicle
- Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 2 May 2034
- First published
- 10 Nov 2025, 10:51 GMT
- Last source update
- 30 Jun 2026, 13:10 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 1 Jun 2026
- Authority reference
ITT_121338- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-012086- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05dd67Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 10 Apr 2026, 17:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 5 Mar 2026, 13:30 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en, cy
Contractors/bidders should register on the eTendering portal etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk ↗
ii) Once registered, suppliers must express their interest as follows
a) login to the eTendering portal
b) select ITT'
c) select 'ITTs Open To All Suppliers'
d) access the listing relating to the contract (itt_121338 "Diving Services Framework 2026") and view details
e) click on 'Express Interest' button in the 'Actions' box on the left-hand side of the page
iii) Once you have expressed interest, the ITT will move to 'My ITTs', where you can download and view documents and where you can construct your reply as instructed. All Invitation to tender documents are in the "RESPONSE FORM" Tab, there are no documents in the attachment area.
You must then publish your reply using the publish button.
iv) For any support in submitting your expression of interest, please contact the eTendering helpdesk on 0800 0112470 or at [email protected].
NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch… ↗
Timeline
10 Nov 2025 → 30 Jun 2026 · 10 dates- Planning notice published340 days ago10 Nov 2025, 10:51 GMT
- Market engagement323 days ago26 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
Engagement process description
The supplier engagement session will take place on the 26th November 2025 at 2 p.m - 3 p.m via Teams meeting.
Supplier to contact [email protected]
should they wish to attend.
- Tender notice published247 days ago10 Feb 2026, 16:11 GMT
- Clarification questions by225 days ago5 Mar 2026, 13:30 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends188 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown10 Apr 2026, 17:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent162 days ago7 May 2026, 00:00 BST
- Standstill ends150 days ago18 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Award decision expected by136 days ago1 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts123 days ago15 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published108 days ago30 Jun 2026, 13:10 BST
Notice history
12 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 10 Nov 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published10 Nov 2025, 10:51 GMTUK2
- Tender notice published10 Feb 2026, 16:11 GMTUK4
- Published value updated to £700,00010 Feb 2026, 16:11 GMTwas £350,000
- Status changed to active10 Feb 2026, 16:11 GMT
- Procurement method changed10 Feb 2026, 16:11 GMT
- Deadline published: 12 Mar 2026, 13:00 GMT10 Feb 2026, 16:11 GMT
- Tender notice published5 Mar 2026, 13:27 GMTUK4
- Deadline moved to 10 Apr 2026, 17:00 BST5 Mar 2026, 13:27 GMT+29 days · was 12 Mar 2026, 13:00 GMT
- Contract award notice published7 May 2026, 16:19 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete7 May 2026, 16:19 BST
- Contract signature expected8 Jun 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Contract details notice published30 Jun 2026, 13:10 BSTUK7
Published amendments (1)
Clarification and tender deadline has been extended
Routine re-releases (5)
- 2026-02: 1 release · 10 Feb 2026
- 2025-11: 1 release · 10 Nov 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast£700,000 is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 8 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 8 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Sponge taxonomist1 award | |||
| ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSMEDiving services 2026 open framework 1 (lot 1)15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034 | ceiling above | 30 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Algal taxonomist1 award | |||
| ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSMEDiving services 2026 open framework 1 (Lot 2)15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034 | ceiling above | 30 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Non invasive species taxonomist1 award | |||
| ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSMEDiving service 2026 open framework 1 (Lot 3)15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034 | ceiling above | 30 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 4 · Experienced monitoring surveyor/diving marine biologist1 award | |||
| ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSMEDiving service 2026 open framework 1 (Lot 4)15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034 | ceiling above | 30 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 5 · Assistant surveyor1 award | |||
| ASMLSME, David PalfreySME, Marine EcoSolSMEDiving services 2026 open framework 1 (Lot 5)15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034 | ceiling above | 30 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 6 · Diving supervisor1 award | |||
| ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSMEDiving services 2026 open framework 1 (Lot 6)15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034 | ceiling above | 30 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 7 · Survey coordinator1 award | |||
| ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSMEDiving services 2026 open framework 1 (Lot 7)15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034 | ceiling above | 30 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 8 · Data Analyst1 award | |||
| Marine EcoSolSMEDiving services 2026 open framework 1 (Lot 8)15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034 | ceiling above | 30 Apr 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
All 8 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £700,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.
NRW Diving services open framework LOT 1 · ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSME
- Signed
- 21 May 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034
- Status
- active
1 agreed KPI: KPI's
- KPI's
NRW Diving services open framework LOT 2 · ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSME
- Signed
- 21 May 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034
- Status
- active
NRW Diving services open framework LOT 3 · ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSME
- Signed
- 21 May 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034
- Status
- active
NRW Diving service open framework LOT 4 · ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSME
- Signed
- 21 May 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034
- Status
- active
NRW Diving services open framework LOT 5 · ASMLSME, David PalfreySME, Marine EcoSolSME
- Signed
- 21 May 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034
- Status
- active
NRW Diving services open framework LOT 6 · ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSME
- Signed
- 21 May 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034
- Status
- active
NRW Diving services open framework LOT 7 · ASMLSME, Marine EcoSolSME
- Signed
- 21 May 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034
- Status
- active
NRW Diving services open framework LOT 8 · Marine EcoSolSME
- Signed
- 21 May 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 15 Jun 2026 – 14 Jun 2034
- Status
- active
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Sponge taxonomist | 2final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Algal taxonomist | 2final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Non invasive species taxonomist | 2final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 4 · Experienced monitoring surveyor/diving marine biologist | 3final-stage tenders | 3 | 0 | — |
| 5 · Assistant surveyor | 3final-stage tenders | 3 | 0 | — |
| 6 · Diving supervisor | 2final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
| 7 · Survey coordinator | 2final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
| 8 · Data Analyst | 1final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
3 commercial parties on the notice- ASMLFramework contractor
- David PalfreyFramework contractor
- Marine EcoSol LtdFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (19)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
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- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender