Cefas Research Vessel. Infrastructure to Support Future Delivery at Sea

Tender description

The purpose of this PIN is to notify the market of an upcoming tender opportunity (subject to Business Case approval) for the provision of a Research Vessel (RV) to the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas). <br/> This RV will replace the existing RV Cefas Endeavour that is reaching the end of its operational life and is critical to enabling Cefas to collect scientific data at sea and which can transform the way our seas are monitored by embracing new technologies for data collection and by providing next generation capability to progress our commitments to net zero. Cefas wishes to engage a suitably qualified and experienced shipyard for the design and build of a new Research Vessel which is specifically tailored to meet Cefas’ marine and fisheries scientific requirements and be capable of technological update over a service life of 30 years minimum. Lot 1: This PIN is to notify of the upcoming procurement (subject to Business Case approval) to establish a contract for the design, build, commission, and delivery of a replacement Research Vessel in accordance with the following high-level specification: <br/>85m max length <br/>Less than 5,000gt <br/>Draft of approx. 5.5m <br/>Beam of approx. 18m <br/>Berths - 40 persons <br/>Multi-fuel (synthetic methanol / HVO / MGO) <br/>DP2 <br/>ICES209 <br/>This RV is intended to be a flexible platform suitable to perform tasks that include but are not limited to : <br/>Fishing <br/>Remote Sensing (e.g. hydrography, physical oceanography, etc.) <br/>Water Sampling <br/>Seabed Sampling <br/>Static Deployed Equipment (e.g. buoys) <br/>Dynamic Deployed Equipment (e.g. Remotely Operated Vehicle, etc.) <br/> <br/>The RV Cefas Endeavour reaches the end of its operational life in 2033 and it is the intention to enter a new vessel into service prior to this to ensure continuity of scientific delivery. <br/>The value of this procurement (the design and build) is estimated to be in the region of £70 - 100 million. <br/>Part of the requirement may also include identifying potential funding, financing and/or partnership options which may be applicable throughout the project lifecycle for both the design / build element and during the operational lifetime. <br/> <br/>Cefas plan to engage with the market at an event in November 2024 (further details below). This will provide an opportunity to share additional information on the requirement and gather feedback on the high-level specification and commercial approach. Additional information: This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is not a call for competition. It should be noted that this PIN invites organisations to participate in pre-market activity.<br/><br/>Interested parties will need to express an interest in any potential future tender opportunity once / if a Contract Notice is published. It should be noted that this PIN invites individuals and organisations to express an interest only.