Diving Services Open Framework 2026 (FWA 1)

Clarification and tender deadline has been extended

Organisation

Natural Resources Wales

Welsh Government Offices Cathays Park , Cardiff, CF10 3NQ

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have an advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification and taxonomy of marine sponges (Porifera), including methods for identification and preservation and will have key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible. Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have an advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification and taxonomy of red, green and brown marine seaweeds, the methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible. Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification of UK non-native species. They will have excellent taxonomic skills to be able to differentiate these species from similar native species. They will be up to date with such species currently found or likely to be found in Wales and the UK, horizon scanning literature and other sources of information. They will have specialist knowledge in the methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible. Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have excellent subtidal epibenthic species identification skills, being able to identify common Welsh subtidal species from the following phyla/groups: sponges, hydroids, annelids, molluscs, bryozoans, ascidians, algae and fish. They will be able demonstrate their experience in carrying out a variety of underwater ecological surveying techniques similar to that identified in NRW’s Standard Operating Procedures for our subtidal diving SAC monitoring, including species ‘cell frequency counts’, ‘Sponge morphologies quadrats’, and transect type surveys. They will also be experienced in photography, videography and other marine fieldwork methodologies to carry out our routine monitoring work

An experienced diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. A scientific diver with biological knowledge - not to be confused with commercial divers who may be an experienced diver but have no biological expertise/knowledge nor training in biological field survey techniques. Able to assist experienced surveyors, carry out videography, targeted sample collection, and surveys where less taxonomic skills are required such as sponge luxuriance, sponge morphology or seagrass surveys.

A person suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work in accordance with the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work Regulations. They don’t need to have biological expertise, but they do need to understand the nature of the work and the areas / dive sites where the diving operations are to take place. They will be expected to keep records of diving activities, control the diving operations, liaise with other maritime users and assist with the running of survey logistics. This role is for the supply of a dedicated diving supervisor as opposed to the provision of ad hoc rolling dive supervisor duties whilst providing services under another Lot

A person with the skills and experience to plan, lead and coordinate field logistics and manage dive teams. Close liaison with the NRW project officer assisting in the coordination of survey requirements and field team as needed. Creating HSE Dive Project Plans, liaising with relevant Harbour Authorities and ensuring Notice to Mariners are issued where required. Liaising with recompression chambers facilities ahead of and during surveys to ensure availability in an emergency. Able to ensure the quality of the information gathered (monitoring data, dive logs, field activity diary etc), is secured and appropriately catalogued. Competent in ensuring the completion of an end of survey field report that summarises field operations and (with input from NRW staff) draws summary conclusions from the data collected. It is expected (and will be preferentially selected for) that the coordinator, if suitably skilled and experienced, would also act as one of the above diving and/or supervisor roles

A person with a scientific background and preferably a diver with an appreciation of marine biological species and survey methods. They will be adept at transcribing complex data from field recording forms to spreadsheets or into databases such as Marine Recorder Online. Able to check the taxonomic species names in relevant literature where necessary. They will be competent in data validation techniques, use of spreadsheets and statistical software. The analyst may also be required to work with imaging software such Adobe Photoshop and Premiere for stitching images or extracting species data. A knowledge of annotation software BIIGLE and CATAMI would be advantageous. This role may be expected to attend surveys and input data at the survey base but not necessarily take part in diving operations themselves.

Document pack· 2 files

113

total contracts

£162.9m

total value

£5,817,929

average contract size