Provision of Ocean Bottom Seismometers

Description

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) conducted this competition as an open procedure under section 20(2)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023. This meant any interested and qualified supplier could submit a tender. The process was fully transparent and followed the requirements of the Act and associated Regulations. All tender documentation, including the specification, was made available through the MyTenders portal. Tenders were evaluated in line with the methodology set out in the Invitation to Tender, following an open and transparent process that included compliance checks to ensure all mandatory requirements and pass/fail criteria were met (with non‑compliant bids excluded), scoring of qualitative and technical responses against published weighted criteria (with minimum pass marks where specified), pricing evaluation using the stated formula, and overall ranking based on the combined quality and price scores to identify the most economically advantageous tender. The preferred bidder then underwent due diligence checks such as insurance and financial verification before contract award, and a mandatory standstill period applied prior to contract conclusion to ensure fairness and compliance with the Procurement Act 2023. NOC sought the supply and delivery of a pool of broadband OBS systems for deep‑ocean research, together with one complete deck communications and seabed‑ranging system, plus commissioning support, documentation and warranties. The systems were intended to underpin geohazard monitoring, seismic and acoustic studies, and wider marine science. Pricing was required on a fully delivered basis. Delivery was to be completed by 31 March 2026 to enable mobilisation for Spring 2026 expeditions. The OBS pool was to be deployed worldwide, including depths of at least 6,000 m, across a broad temperature range. Instruments were required to support long‑duration deployments and operate reliably on varied seabed conditions, including slopes, for both passive and active seismic studies. Suppliers were required to provide fully delivered pricing for three options detailed in Schedule 6. Each option was to include the deck communications system. Suppliers could also provide informational pricing for the purchase or rental of a single OBS unit for future planning; these figures were not evaluated. Consumables, documentation and commissioning To ensure immediate readiness for the first deployments, pricing was to include one full set of deployment consumables per instrument, such as anchors, burn wire (where applicable) and batteries sufficient for an initial extended deployment period. The supplier was required to deliver complete and current manuals covering equipment details, assembly, deployment, recovery, data workflows and safety considerations, and to provide commissioning support to bring the pool into service. Warranties, servicing and updates As a minimum, the supplier was required to warrant electronic and datalogger components and sensors and mechanical elements for at least 12 months and include any manufacturer-advised servicing or calibrations for the seismometer within the first five years of ownership. To protect the investment and maintain scientific integrity over time, the supplier was also required to provide future compatible firmware, software and data processing updates as part of the contract. Logistics and timetable All equipment including OBS units, deck communications system, consumables and documentation was to be delivered no later than 31 March 2026 to enable pre-cruise testing, training and mobilisation for the Spring 2026 expedition window. Pricing was to cover delivery to NOC and all associated logistics necessary to place the equipment into NOC's custody, ready for commissioning activities.

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