NOC plans £65m to £100m research-vessel support framework
Preliminary market engagement will inform maintenance, scientific equipment and environmental retrofit provision.
The National Oceanography Centre announced preliminary market engagement on 28 September for a proposed framework supporting RRS James Cook, RRS Discovery and associated scientific systems. Its estimated total value is £65 million to £100 million excluding VAT over up to eight years, not an awarded contract or committed expenditure.
The scope is expected to cover refits, maintenance, specialist vessel systems and research instrumentation, with decarbonisation capability also of interest. Under the Procurement Act 2023, the open framework would periodically admit new suppliers. Lot structures and ordering arrangements remain to be finalised following engagement.
Why this matters for policymakers
- Analysis: research resilience Maintenance capacity could help protect continuity of ocean observations.
- Analysis: supplier access Lot design and reopening arrangements will shape competition.
- Analysis: environmental performance Measurable retrofit criteria could connect procurement with emissions reduction.
Read the original announcement.
Image: Archive photograph of RRS Discovery leaving Liverpool in 2013; not a new vessel or contract award. Andrew, CC BY 2.0. Resized and converted to JPEG for display.