Official UK procurement notice
Marine Survey Vessel · UK public procurement notice
Authority: Scottish Natural Heritage
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionNatureScot’s survey vessel, Aphrodite, is a 24-year-old rigid hull inflatable boat that has reached the end of its recommended service life.
NatureScot therefore requires the design, manufacture, commissioning, and delivery of a replacement versatile survey vessel and trailer capable of conducting marine environmental monitoring for a range of diverse habitats and species in Scotland’s inshore waters.
CPV: Boats · Ships and boats · Specialised boats
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1The vessel will be used by NatureScot to undertake marine environmental monitoring and…
The vessel will be used by NatureScot to undertake marine environmental monitoring and survey activities within Scotland’s inshore waters (within 12nm).
The vessel shall provide a safe, reliable, and versatile platform capable of supporting a range of scientific and operational activities, including:
- Marine Protected Area (MPA) monitoring
- Benthic habitat surveys
- Species monitoring and evidence-gathering
- Diver-based surveys and sampling
- Drop-down video (DDV) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys
- Deployment and recovery of scientific monitoring equipment
- Acoustic monitoring and hydrographic survey activities
- Operations in remote coastal and island locations (e.g. Shiant Isles, Mingulay and Sanday (Orkney))
The vessel shall be capable of supporting these activities whilst carrying personnel and equipment safely in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements. Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Scottish Natural Heritage (NatureScot) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.
The duration of the contract may be varied in line with the finalised delivery programme.
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 award criteria (2)
- Quality: 70
- Price: 30
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 24 Jul 2026, 10:31 BST
- Last source update
- 18 Aug 2026, 13:28 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 24 Aug 2026 – …
- Authority reference
PP1488- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-078548- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d2e1Find a Tender
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
Publisher note: NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=838265. The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. (SC Ref:838265) Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=838265
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 26 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bid validity
- 120 days from the deadline
- Bids opened
- 24 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST
Timeline
18 Aug 2026 → 26 Aug 2026 · 3 dates- Notice published65 days ago18 Aug 2026, 13:28 BST
- Bids opened59 days ago24 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline57 days ago26 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST
Notice history
1 event · 4 releases on Find a Tender- Deadline moved to 26 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST18 Aug 2026, 13:25 BST+2 days · was 24 Aug 2026, 12:00 BST
Published amendments (3 · 3 deadline changes)
| When | What | Before | After | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | DeadlineTime limit · IV.2.2 | 24 Aug 2026 | 26 Aug 2026 | +2 d |
| — | DeadlineTime limit · IV.2.2 | 26 Aug 2026 | 26 Aug 2026 | +0 d |
| — | Bid openingConditions for opening of tenders · IV.2.7 | 24 Aug 2026 | 26 Aug 2026 | +2 d |
| — | DeadlineTime limit · IV.2.2 | 26 Aug 2026 | 26 Aug 2026 | +0 d |
| — | Bid openingConditions for opening of tenders · IV.2.7 | 26 Aug 2026 | 26 Aug 2026 | +0 d |
Requested by supplier.
Requested by supplier.
Requested by supplier.
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2026-07: 1 release · 24 Jul 2026
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- The Inverness Justice CentreReview body
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Economic and financial selection criteria
- Technical selection criteria