Provision of a Seapath and MGC Navigation System & System Upgrade for RRS Discovery
Details
- Supplier(s)
- Kongsberg Discovery AS
- Value
- $197,332
- Duration
- 1 year
- Topic
- Navigation equipment
- Published
- 13 November 2025
- Source
- uk:find_a_tender
Tender 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. ## Contract award
Timeline
- Completed: Award published13 November 2025Current notice
- Completed: Award date13 November 2025
- Next: Contract expiry date10 November 2026in 1 month
About the buyer
National Oceanography Centre is one of the world's top oceanographic institutions, and a dedicated procurement team runs its purchasing. Contracts above threshold are advertised through Contracts Finder and Find a Tender. Much of its buying goes through pre-negotiated framework agreements and the Crown Commercial Service. A framework covers refit, maintenance and equipment support for research vessels including RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook. Just over 1,400 suppliers work with the centre, four in five of them based in the UK. The procurement team is currently implementing the Procurement Act 2023 across its processes.
£434bn was the total UK public sector procurement spend in FY 2025/26.
Over the past 5 years, most of National Oceanography Centre's contract awards have been in laboratory and precision equipment, construction work and software and information systems.
Relevant CPV codes
- 34933000 · Navigation equipment
- 50241100 · Vessel repair services
Decision makers
Connect with the people behind this procurement.
| Contact name | Job title | Phone number | Work email |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head of Procurement | +44 •••• •••••• | ••••••••@national-oceanography-centre.gov | |
| Commercial Director | +44 •••• •••••• | ••••••••@national-oceanography-centre.gov | |
| Procurement Manager | +44 •••• •••••• | ••••••••@national-oceanography-centre.gov | |
| Category Lead | +44 •••• •••••• | ••••••••@national-oceanography-centre.gov | |
| Senior Buyer | +44 •••• •••••• | ••••••••@national-oceanography-centre.gov | |
| Contracts Manager | +44 •••• •••••• | ••••••••@national-oceanography-centre.gov |
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