Marine Research Vessel Refit, Maintenance, Equipment and Support Services Framework

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is looking to establish 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, across their working life. The support sought is expected to include the following broad areas, which are indicative and not exhaustive.

Refit and docking support across the classification cycle, including the intermediate and special survey work falling due within it, broadly covering hull, structural and coating work, propulsion and steering intervention, tailshaft and rudder work, and the repair and renewal identified through survey. Both wet berth and dry dock coverage will be needed over the life of the framework, and the structure will be designed to accommodate suppliers offering either or both.

General marine engineering and support capability, required both during refit periods and on an ongoing basis outside them, in the United Kingdom and overseas, broadly covering marine mechanical and electrical engineering, fabrication, pipework and hydraulics, HVAC, cabling and systems installation, interior works, running maintenance, defect rectification, modification, and commissioning and mobilisation to port. Support for critical vessel systems, from original equipment manufacturers and their approved partners, broadly covering 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, together with the inspection, overhaul, upgrade and certification these systems require.

Support for marine research and survey systems, including supply, installation, integration, calibration, servicing and upgrade, broadly covering multibeam and singlebeam echo sounders, sub bottom profilers and acoustic positioning, oceanographic and environmental sensors and sensor packages, water column and seabed sampling systems, deck handling and over the side deployment equipment, and the associated data acquisition, processing and control infrastructure. Technical and professional marine services, independent of the yards, broadly covering naval architecture, marine surveying, superintendency, class liaison, project and programme management and specialist engineering consultancy.

Supply of maritime hardware on a supply only basis, broadly covering equipment, spares, components and consumables, including original equipment manufacturer and approved equivalent parts. Capability for decarbonisation and environmental retrofit is of interest across all of the above.

The framework is expected to be divided into lots. The lot structure, the number of suppliers appointed to each lot and the call off mechanisms will be confirmed following preliminary market engagement.

Suppliers will be able to apply for one or more lots, and geographic capability, together with dry dock or wet berth capability, will be recorded at framework stage. NOC will be the sole contracting authority.

The framework is expected to be established as an open framework under the Procurement Act 2023, with a duration of up to eight years, and will be reopened to new suppliers at points set out in the framework documents. Work will be ordered by call off contract on a task by task basis, covering both programmed and unplanned requirements, at yards, ports and NOC sites in the United Kingdom and overseas.

Call off routes are expected to include direct award and further competition among the suppliers appointed to the relevant lot, with the applicable route set out in the framework at the outset. The estimated total value of the framework is estimated to be worth between £65,000,000 & £100,000,000 excluding VAT over its full duration. No guarantee of volume or value is given to any supplier appointed to the framework.