This notice announces an administrative change to an existing contract or market (a contract change notice). No new tender or admission is opened here; see the linked notices below for the original opportunity.
Official UK procurement notice
NOC Research Vessel Dry-Dock Refit and Maintenance Contract 2026
Authority: National Oceanography Centre (Public body)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe National Oceanography Centre (NOC) conducted this procurement with a state of urgency under an accelerated open procedure in accordance with Section 54 of the Procurement Act 2023, which governs time limits for competitive tendering procedures. Section 54(3) and (4) permitted the reduction of minimum time periods where there was a state of urgency that made compliance with standard time limits impracticable. The procedure was run as an open process under Section 20(2)(a) of the Act, allowing any interested and qualified supplier to submit a tender within the shortened timescale. All tender documentation, including the specification and supporting schedules, was made available via the MyTenders portal.
Tenders were evaluated according to the methodology set out in the Invitation to Tender. This included compliance checks to ensure all mandatory requirements and pass/fail criteria were met, with non-compliant bids excluded. Qualitative and technical responses were scored against published weighted criteria, with minimum pass marks applied where specified. Pricing was evaluated using the stated formula, and overall ranking was based on the combined quality and price scores to identify the most economically advantageous tender. The preferred bidder was subject to due diligence checks, including insurance and financial verification, prior to contract award. A mandatory standstill period applied before contract conclusion to ensure fairness and compliance with the Procurement Act 2023.
NOC sought the provision of scheduled dry-dock refit, maintenance, and upgrade services for the research vessels RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook. The contract covered annual refit works, intermediate docking surveys, class certification renewal, equipment inspection and servicing, and minor upgrades to vessel systems including propulsion, electrical, laboratory, and deck handling equipment. All works were required to comply with UK health and safety legislation, marine industry best practice, and relevant classification standards. The supplier was required to provide suitable dock space and infrastructure, office accommodation for the Marine Superintendent, and facilities to support mobilisation and demobilisation. Robust management of UK-based suppliers and subcontractors was expected, with a commitment to sustainable procurement and social value. The contract allowed for flexibility to address emergent works and contingency repairs as required, ensuring both vessels remained fully operational, compliant, and ready to support world-class scientific research.
Pricing was provided in accordance with the requirements set out in the pricing schedule. All costs were stated in pounds sterling and exclusive of VAT. The price submitted remained fixed for the initial term of the contract, with provisions for indexation as detailed in the tender documents. Suppliers ensured consistency across all pricing sections and provided commentary where required. The contract operated on a combination of fixed-price and time-and-materials arrangements, with milestone payments structured around key project deliverables.
All documentation, including completed questionnaires, pricing schedules, and supporting evidence, was submitted electronically via the portal by the stated deadline. Submissions complied with all word and page limits, and any additional information was clearly referenced to the relevant question. The successful supplier was required to deliver the contracted services in accordance with the specification and all applicable standards, ensuring the vessels were ready for service within the defined mobilisation windows.
This UK4 notice appeared as though it had no prior notices. This was solely due to a technical limitation of our e-tendering platform, which did not allow previous notices to be linked or referenced in the publication workflow for UK4. For transparency, the prior notices relevant to this procurement were as follows:
UK3: Planned Procurement Notice
Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-074178
Published: 14 November 2025, 5:39pm
UK2: Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-055122
Published: 9 September 2025, 3:49pm
Please note that goods could also be purchased through this contract and, due again to limitations of the e-tendering portal, this could not be selected.
These notices remain applicable and form part of the procurement record for this process. Despite the terminology used within the terms, this procurement was for a single contract award covering two distinct vessel refit projects (RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook). While the contract terms allowed for flexibility in scoping and delivery of work packages, all requirements were specified and awarded under one contract through this tender process. For the avoidance of doubt, this was not a framework agreement in the sense defined by the Procurement Act 2023; there was no umbrella arrangement for future call-offs or multiple suppliers beyond the scope provided for. All works instructed under this contract were binding and formed part of the awarded contract, ensuring compliance with standard contract procedures.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 31 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT.
CPV: Dry-docking services · Upgrading services of ships · Vessel repair services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£2,500,000
- Economic & financial standing
Suppliers must demonstrate sufficient legal and financial capacity to perform the contract. These can be found in full in the PSQ.
Insurance is not required to be in place before contract award. Suppliers must confirm either that they already have, or can commit to obtain prior to contract award, the following insurance cover:
Employer’s Liability Insurance: £10,000,000
Public Liability Insurance: £5,000,000
Professional Indemnity Insurance: £2,000,000
Product Liability Insurance: £5,000,000
Shipyard repair liability for loss, damage or destruction of any NOC/UKRI property under the custody & control of the Supplier: £10,000,000
Audited accounts are not required for participation. Suppliers may provide summary financial information from their most recent accounts or up-to-date financial statements if audited accounts are not available.
Suppliers must confirm that their average annual turnover over the last two financial years is at least 1.5 times the estimated annual contract value.
These requirements are designed to ensure fair access for a range of
suppliers, including SMEs, while maintaining appropriate safeguards for contract delivery.
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must address all mandatory requirements set out in the Qualitative Response Questionnaire (Schedule 8) and the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), including:
From Schedule 8 (Qualitative Response Questionnaire):
1.Confirm compliance with the specification and provide an executive summary of the response.
2.Demonstrate that dry-dock and wet-dock facilities can accommodate both NOC vessels, including details of dimensions and any restrictions.
3.Confirm compliance with the Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS), with supporting certification and a description of facilities.
From the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ):
1.Provide details of up to three contracts from the past three years to demonstrate technical ability, including customer organisation, supplier name, point of contact, contract description, start and completion dates, and estimated contract value. If unable to provide contract examples, suppliers may submit an explanation and evidence of technical capacity.
2.Confirm compliance with minimum standards, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems), and ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code), or provide evidence of equivalent qualifications and standards.
3.Confirm the ability to accommodate the vessels within the specified project windows and provide details of dockyard availability and control over bookings.
Equivalent qualifications and standards will be accepted where appropriate, ensuring suppliers with alternative but comparable credentials are eligible to participate. All mandatory requirements must be addressed in the submission.
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 (10)
- Q5.0 Key Personnel: 5%
- Q6.0 Subcontractor Management: 5%
- Q7.0 Design Capabilities: 5%
- Q8.0 Quality Management: 10%
- Q9.0 Project Management (Programme & Commentary): 10%
- Price Schedule 6 Section 1 Example Refit Scope Activities: 15%
- Price Schedule 6 Section 2 Rate Card: 35%
- Price Schedule 6 Section 3 Goods Mark-up: 5%
- Price Schedule 6 Section 4 Services Mark-up: 5%
- Q10.0 Sustainability and Social Value: 5%
Published award criteria (10)
- Price Schedule 6 Section 1 Example Refit Scope Activities
- Price Schedule 6 Section 2 Rate Card
- Price Schedule 6 Section 3 Goods Mark-up : Percentage Markup
- Price Schedule 6 Section 4 Services Mark-up : Percentage Markup
- Q5.0 Key Personnel
- Q6.0 Subcontractor Management
- Q7.0 Design Capabilities
- Q8.0 Quality Management
- Q9.0 Project Management (Programme & Commentary)
- Q10.0 Sustainability and Social Value
- Economic & financial standing
Suppliers must demonstrate sufficient legal and financial capacity to perform the contract. These can be found in full in the PSQ.
Insurance is not required to be in place before contract award. Suppliers must confirm either that they already have, or can commit to obtain prior to contract award, the following insurance cover:
Employer’s Liability Insurance: £10,000,000
Public Liability Insurance: £5,000,000
Professional Indemnity Insurance: £2,000,000
Product Liability Insurance: £5,000,000
Shipyard repair liability for loss, damage or destruction of any NOC/UKRI property under the custody & control of the Supplier: £10,000,000
Audited accounts are not required for participation. Suppliers may provide summary financial information from their most recent accounts or up-to-date financial statements if audited accounts are not available.
Suppliers must confirm that their average annual turnover over the last two financial years is at least 1.5 times the estimated annual contract value.
These requirements are designed to ensure fair access for a range of
suppliers, including SMEs, while maintaining appropriate safeguards for contract delivery.
- Technical & professional ability
Suppliers must address all mandatory requirements set out in the Qualitative Response Questionnaire (Schedule 8) and the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ), including:
From Schedule 8 (Qualitative Response Questionnaire):
1.Confirm compliance with the specification and provide an executive summary of the response.
2.Demonstrate that dry-dock and wet-dock facilities can accommodate both NOC vessels, including details of dimensions and any restrictions.
3.Confirm compliance with the Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS), with supporting certification and a description of facilities.
From the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ):
1.Provide details of up to three contracts from the past three years to demonstrate technical ability, including customer organisation, supplier name, point of contact, contract description, start and completion dates, and estimated contract value. If unable to provide contract examples, suppliers may submit an explanation and evidence of technical capacity.
2.Confirm compliance with minimum standards, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems), and ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code), or provide evidence of equivalent qualifications and standards.
3.Confirm the ability to accommodate the vessels within the specified project windows and provide details of dockyard availability and control over bookings.
Equivalent …
- Price carries 60 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 6 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
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
- Administrative change
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 31 Jan 2026
- First published
- 24 Nov 2025, 13:09 GMT
- Last source update
- 9 Mar 2026, 13:31 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 9 Dec 2025
- Authority reference
2025PRNOC-1028- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-076460- Accelerated
- State of urgency
- Latest notice
- Contract change notice (UK10)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e760Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
Please see the ITT - SCHEDULE 6 – PRICING SCHEDULE
- Risks
Please see Schedule 11
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 4 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 27 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
All tenders must be submitted electronically via www.mytenders.co.uk ↗. Submissions by email or post will not be accepted.
Timeline
24 Nov 2025 → 9 Mar 2026 · 8 dates- Tender notice published335 days ago24 Nov 2025, 13:09 GMT
- Clarification questions by332 days ago27 Nov 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Submission deadline325 days ago4 Dec 2025, 12:00 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent320 days ago9 Dec 2025
- Award decision expected by319 days ago9 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Standstill ends310 days ago18 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts310 days ago19 Dec 2025
- Latest notice published230 days ago9 Mar 2026, 13:31 GMT
Notice history
7 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 24 Nov 2025- Tender notice published24 Nov 2025, 13:09 GMTUK4
- Contract award notice published9 Dec 2025, 17:07 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete9 Dec 2025, 17:07 GMT
- Contract details notice published19 Dec 2025, 16:32 GMTUK7
- Contract signature expected19 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract change notice published9 Mar 2026, 13:31 GMTUK10
- Contract change proposed20 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMTDuring delivery of the contract, the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has identified the need to activate provisions that were expressly provided for within the contract and the associated procurement notices. These provisions include both the option to extend the contract term and the ability to incorporate additional goods and associated works where required. These mechanisms formed part of the competed scope and were transparent to the market at the time of the original procurement. NOC has undertaken detailed scoping of operational requirements and associated manufacturing and delivery lead times. As a result of this assessment, it has been determined that certain mission‑critical requirements cannot be accommodated within the current year's refit programme. Installation during this refit period is therefore not possible. However, the goods required must be secured now to ensure availability and to allow installation to be planned and delivered during the next scheduled refit period. If NOC were to delay action and instead wait for a replacement contract to be procured rather than activating the existing extension, the lead times involved would result in the installation window for the next refit period also being missed. This would have an unacceptable impact on vessel availability and operational capability and cannot be permitted. In light of this, NOC is exercising the contractual extension option at this point. The activation of the extension is undertaken in accordance with the terms of the contract and the relevant procurement notices and is justified as a modification provided for in the contract. The extension enables continuity of delivery and provides the contractual framework necessary to secure the required goods and to plan associated activities in an orderly and efficient manner. The modification also provides for the supply of additional goods and associated works in addition to those originally provided for under the contract. These additional requirements are directly related to the existing scope of vessel refit, maintenance, and associated technical services. The incumbent contractor is already responsible for delivery and integration of the contract scope and is therefore best placed to supply the additional goods and coordinate the associated activities. The use of a different supplier would result in goods or services that are different from, or incompatible with, those already provided for under the contract and would give rise to disproportionate technical difficulties in operation, maintenance, and integration, as well as significant inconvenience and substantial duplication of costs for NOC. Accordingly, the increase in contract value arising from the inclusion of these additional requirements is justified as a permitted modification for additional goods, services or works. The modification does not alter the overall nature of the contract, which remains the provision of vessel refit, maintenance, and associated technical services, and the increase in value remains within the limits permitted under the Procurement Act 2023. NOC is satisfied that the extension of the contract is provided for in the contract and relevant procurement notices and that the associated increase in value meets the conditions for additional goods, services or works. Taken together, the modification constitutes a permitted modification under section 74(1)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023, relying on Schedule 8 paragraph 1(a) in respect of the extension and Schedule 8 paragraph 8(1) in respect of the additional goods and associated increase in value. The modification will therefore be implemented following publication of a UK10 Contract Change Notice.
Routine re-releases (4)
- 2025-11: 1 release · 24 Nov 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A & P Falmouth LimitedSME19 Dec 2025 – 18 Dec 2026 · up to 18 Dec 2027Extensions: The contract allows for a single extension of up to twelve months. This extension will only be considered under exceptional circumstances, specifically if the planned retendering of the full requirement in early 2026 is unsuccessful. It is anticipated that the extension will not be required and the contract will conclude as scheduled following a successful retendering process. · Options: The contract includes an option for the supplier to provide global support services for the RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook. While the scope of the contract allows for urgent and non-planned works to be carried out worldwide, this is not a mandatory requirement and will not be evaluated as part of the tender process. The intention is to secure comprehensive global support in the full refit contract that will follow this interim arrangement. If urgent or unplanned work arises before the new contract is in place, the successful supplier under this contract may be approached to deliver these services prior to any further tendering. This ensures continuity and responsiveness for the vessels, but suppliers are not required to offer global support as part of their bid for this contract. | £2,500,000 | 9 Dec 2025 | Awarded |
Contracts
Contract 1 · A & P Falmouth LimitedSME
- Signed
- 19 Dec 2025
- Value
- £2,500,000
- Period
- 19 Dec 2025 – 18 Dec 2026 · up to 18 Dec 2027 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The contract allows for a single extension of up to twelve months. This extension will only be considered under exceptional circumstances, specifically if the planned retendering of the full requirement in early 2026 is unsuccessful. It is anticipated that the extension will not be required and the contract will conclude as scheduled following a successful retendering process.
- Options
- The contract includes an option for the supplier to provide global support services for the RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook. While the scope of the contract allows for urgent and non-planned works to be carried out worldwide, this is not a mandatory requirement and will not be evaluated as part of the tender process. The intention is to secure comprehensive global support in the full refit contract that will follow this interim arrangement. If urgent or unplanned work arises before the new contract is in place, the successful supplier under this contract may be approached to deliver these services prior to any further tendering. This ensures continuity and responsiveness for the vessels, but suppliers are not required to offer global support as part of their bid for this contract. To ensure continuity the authority reserves the right to modify the contract under Section 74(1)(a) Schedule 8 S(1) of the Procurement Act 2023 along with all other standard permitted modifications.
- Change proposed 20 Mar 2026 During delivery of the contract, the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has identified the need to activate provisions that were expressly provided for within the contract and the associated procurement notices. These provisions include both the option to extend the contract term and the ability to incorporate additional goods and associated works where required. These mechanisms formed part of the competed scope and were transparent to the market at the time of the original procurement. NOC has undertaken detailed scoping of operational requirements and associated manufacturing and delivery lead times. As a result of this assessment, it has been determined that certain mission‑critical requirements cannot be accommodated within the current year's refit programme. Installation during this refit period is therefore not possible. However, the goods required must be secured now to ensure availability and to allow installation to be planned and delivered during the next scheduled refit period. If NOC were to delay action and instead wait for a replacement contract to be procured rather than activating the existing extension, the lead times involved would result in the installation window for the next refit period also being missed. This would have an unacceptable impact on vessel availability and operational capability and cannot be permitted. In light of this, NOC is exercising the contractual extension option at this point. The activation of the extension is undertaken in accordance with the terms of the contract and the relevant procurement notices and is justified as a modification provided for in the contract. The extension enables continuity of delivery and provides the contractual framework necessary to secure the required goods and to plan associated activities in an orderly and efficient manner. The modification also provides for the supply of additional goods and associated works in addition to those originally provided for under the contract. These additional requirements are directly related to the existing scope of vessel refit, maintenance, and associated technical services. The incumbent contractor is already responsible for delivery and integration of the contract scope and is therefore best placed to supply the additional goods and coordinate the associated activities. The use of a different supplier would result in goods or services that are different from, or incompatible with, those already provided for under the contract and would give rise to disproportionate technical difficulties in operation, maintenance, and integration, as well as significant inconvenience and substantial duplication of costs for NOC. Accordingly, the increase in contract value arising from the inclusion of these additional requirements is justified as a permitted modification for additional goods, services or works. The modification does not alter the overall nature of the contract, which remains the provision of vessel refit, maintenance, and associated technical services, and the increase in value remains within the limits permitted under the Procurement Act 2023. NOC is satisfied that the extension of the contract is provided for in the contract and relevant procurement notices and that the associated increase in value meets the conditions for additional goods, services or works. Taken together, the modification constitutes a permitted modification under section 74(1)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023, relying on Schedule 8 paragraph 1(a) in respect of the extension and Schedule 8 paragraph 8(1) in respect of the additional goods and associated increase in value. The modification will therefore be implemented following publication of a UK10 Contract Change Notice., new value £3,700,000 · new end date 18 Dec 2027 · standstill applies
3 agreed KPIs: Refit Cost Indicator · Quality of Refit Works · Refit Timescale Indicator
- Refit Cost Indicator, Cost Indicator Comparison of actual cost of refit scope against the agreed planned cost.
- Quality of Refit Works, Satisfaction and quality rating based on a structured questionnaire completed by Marine Superintendent.
- Refit Timescale Indicator, Actual time taken to deliver the refit scope against the agreed programme dates.
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- A & P FALMOUTH LIMITEDAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (13)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications (Schedule 10) Form of Offer [For Return]
- Bidding documents and specifications (Schedule 6)(Appendix A) RRS Discovery Example Refit
- Bidding documents and specifications (Schedule 11) – TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT
- Bidding documents and specifications (Schedule 5) Specification
- Bidding documents and specifications (Schedule 7) Procurement Specific Questionnaire [For Return]
- Bidding documents and specifications SCHEDULE 6 – PRICING SCHEDULE
- Bidding documents and specifications (Schedule 8) - Qualitive Response Questionnaire [For Return]
- Bidding documents and specifications (Schedule 6)- Price Schedule [For Return]
- Bidding documents and specifications (Schedule 4) Submission Certificate [For Return]
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract change notice Contract change notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender