UK's National Oceanography Centre opens market engagement for £65m-£100m marine research vessel framework

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is undertaking preliminary market engagement ahead of establishing an open framework for the refit, maintenance, equipping and sustainment of its operational research vessels, including RRS James Cook and RRS Discovery, together with associated marine assets and scientific systems.

The proposed framework has an estimated total value of £65 million to £100 million excluding VAT over its full duration and is expected to run for up to eight years. As an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023, it will reopen to new suppliers at defined points during its lifetime, providing opportunities for additional organisations to join the framework.

NOC is seeking to engage with organisations across the marine engineering and technology supply chain. The scope is expected to encompass a broad range of capabilities, from vessel refit, docking and general marine engineering through to specialist support for critical vessel systems, marine research equipment, and scientific instrumentation.

The framework is expected to include opportunities in the following areas:

• Refit and docking: support across the classification cycle, including intermediate and special survey work, hull, structural and coating work, propulsion and steering intervention, tail shaft and rudder work, and repairs and renewals identified through survey. Both wet berth and dry dock capability will be required over the life of the framework.
• Marine engineering and support: marine mechanical and electrical engineering, fabrication, pipework and hydraulics, HVAC, cabling and systems installation, interior works, running maintenance, defect rectification, modification, commissioning, and mobilisation to ports in the UK and overseas.
• Critical vessel systems: support from original equipment manufacturers and approved partners for propulsion, engines and gearboxes, navigation and bridge systems, communications and information and operational technology, electrical distribution and generation, safety and lifesaving systems, and control, automation, and energy management.
• Marine research and survey systems: supply, installation, integration, calibration, servicing and upgrade of equipment including multibeam and single beam echo sounders, sub-bottom profilers, acoustic positioning, oceanographic and environmental sensors, water column and seabed sampling systems, deck handling and over-the-side deployment equipment, and associated data acquisition, processing and control infrastructure.
• Technical, professional and supply services: naval architecture, marine surveying, superintendency, class liaison, project and programme management, specialist engineering consultancy, and supply-only provision of maritime hardware, spares, components, and consumables.

For further details, please click here. 

The tender can be viewed here, with the engagement deadline being 1 December 2026.