The British Geological Survey (BGS), acting on behalf of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD), requires a marine coring capability and suitable vessel to operate offshore southern North Sea, Netherlands or Denmark, for a scientific drilling and coring campaign for a period of 30 days (estimated) between April and May 2027.
This scientific coring project seeks to extend our understanding of Earth’s dynamics during the last 50 ice ages and the warmer periods between them. The North Sea Basin is an area that was heavily impacted by these ice age cycles as climate fluctuated between fully glacial to warmer-than-present conditions. The continuous sediment accumulation found in this marine environment should be thought of as a ‘tape recorder’ that contain an almost complete record of glacial-interglacial episodes, providing insight on Europe’s past climate, ecology, and large river systems over the last ~3.3 million years. Relatively little is known about how Europe evolved during repeated ice age cycles. In this expedition, we aim to collect geological samples to gain insight into the baseline dynamics and thresholds for depositional and ecosystem regime shifts, as well as biodiversity turnover driven by rapid climate changes. This research will help us better understand the environmental responses to modern-day warming.
UKRI-6031 Civils. Groundworks and Associated Services
UK Research and Innovation–Science and Technology Facilities Council (UKRI-STFC) manages a diverse scientific estate supported by an established in-house maintenance and design team.
UKRI-STFC is undertaking pre-market engagement to inform a future procurement for a suitably qualified and experienced supplier to deliver civil engineering, groundworks and associated services. The services will be commissioned through individual call-off task orders and may include planned, reactive and project works, asset replacement, and works supporting future developments.
The contract will principally cover the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire and The Cosener’s House in Abingdon, with provision to include other UKRI-managed sites. The successful supplier will be expected to work safely alongside UKRI-STFC’s in-house team within operational scientific environments, delivering high-quality services, asset reliability and value for money.
The anticipated contract term is three years, with an option to extend for a further year (3+1 years).
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is undertaking pre market engagement to inform the potential development of a multi supplier framework agreement covering a range of optical components and assemblies.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is establishing a multi-supplier framework agreement for the provision of lasers and associated components. This framework will appoint a pre-qualified supplier base and enable contracts to be awarded through further competition and direct awards.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is looking to establish a contract for a period of up to four years for the supply and associated services of microscopy equipment for potentially multiple suppliers on multiple lots. This will be across all of our locations including Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Didcot and Daresbury Laboratory in Warrington.
To support the development and shaping of this upcoming requirement, UKRI is seeking input from the market. Suppliers are therefore invited to complete a questionnaire to help inform the structure and scope of the future contract.
If you are interested in participating, please email [email protected] with the subject line “UKRI-5804 Microscopy Equipment Questionnaire” to request a copy of the questionnaire. A copy will then be issued for completion.
Completed questionnaires should be returned by 10th August 2026.
The total for this requirement is £9,000,000.00 excluding VAT however please be aware that this value is an estimate and not guaranteed.
