Provision of a Seapath and MGC Navigation System & System Upgrade for RRS Discovery

Official notice

Authority: National Oceanography Centre (Public body)

Below threshold - without competition

Sectors: Transport Equipment & Vehicles (34)Repair & Maintenance (50) Delivery: UK

Budget not disclosedValue not published

Awarded 11 Nov 2025no call for competition

Awarded to Kongsberg Discovery AS

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The procurement is for the supply, installation, commissioning, and technical support of a Seapath 385 Inertial Navigation System (INS) with an MGC-R3 Compass for the RRS Discovery research vessel. This system will replace the failed and obsolete Seapath Digital GPS system currently onboard.

The required goods and services include:

Delivery of the Seapath 385 INS and MGC-R3 Compass, including all necessary hardware, software, and documentation.

Installation and commissioning of the system by Kongsberg-qualified personnel.

Technical support for integration, calibration, and sea trials to ensure the system is fully operational and meets the vessel's requirements.

All equipment and services must be fully compatible with the existing Kongsberg navigation suite on the vessel.

The total contract value is $197,332 USD (excluding VAT). The supplier, Kongsberg Discovery A/S, is the original equipment manufacturer and the only provider able to deliver a technically compliant and compatible solution. The procurement ensures operational continuity for scientific missions and avoids the risks associated with using non-OEM alternatives. Delivery and installation will be scheduled to prevent disruption to planned research operations.

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published

Lot #1Awarded

Delivery: UK

34933000 Navigation equipment 50241100 Vessel repair services

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record

Procedure method: Below threshold - without competition
Legal basis: UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Notice status: Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold: Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime: Standard
Commercial structure: Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type: Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered: Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement: Unspecified in notice
First published: 13 Nov 2025, 10:43 GMT
Last source update: 13 Nov 2025, 10:43 GMT
Authority reference: 2025PRNOC-1014
FTS notice number: 2025/S 000-073439
Latest notice: Contract details notice (UK7)
Delivery area: UK
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05e02e Find a Tender

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender

Contract details notice published
13 Nov 2025, 10:43 GMT
UK7

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast

Awards 1

Contracts signed 1latest 11 Nov 2025

Awarded to	Value	Date	Status
Kongsberg Discovery AS	US$197,332 †	—	Awarded

Contracts

Provision of a Seapath and MGC Navigation System & System Upgrade for RRS Discovery · Kongsberg Discovery AS
Signed
11 Nov 2025
Value
US$197,332
Period
11 Nov 2025 – 10 Nov 2026
Status
active
Options
The contract value includes survey work which have been estimated. The NOC may be required to uptake optional service work based on the survey assessment.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

National Oceanography Centre

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-CHC: 1185265 · GB-COH: 11444362 · GB-PPON: PYLV-3456-PMCQ National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, South East, SO14 3ZHContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice

Kongsberg Discovery ASAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PJCP-5936-PGBM Strandpromenaden 50, Horten, NO, 3183 Horten, NOContact email

Official documents & specifications (1)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender13 Nov 2025, 10:43 GMT