Open tender · Notice 100083-2026
115 ITT for a Small Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
- Value
- £100k
- Closes
- 16 Nov 2026 (8 days)
- Where
- UK-wide
- Lots
- 1
- Suitable for SMEs
- Yes, says the buyer
- Contract
- 15 Dec 2026 – 15 Mar 2028
In plain English
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) wants to buy one small, hand-deployable autonomous underwater vehicle fitted with water-quality sensors, working to a depth of 250 m, with delivery to its Lowestoft Laboratory in the week starting 15 March 2027. The estimated value is £100,000, it is open for bids now through an open procedure with one lot, and the deadline is 16 November 2026.
Good fit for: Marine technology suppliers or distributors who can supply a small AUV with biogeochemical sensors and guarantee delivery to Lowestoft in March 2027.
- Fixed delivery week, or don't bid
It is essential that delivery is made to Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory week commencing 15th March 2027.
- Contract can be ended if delivery is late
If the awarded supplier is unable to meet the delivery date agreed in the final Contract, Cefas reserves the right to terminate the Contract
- At least 12 months' warranty included
Cefas expect minimum warranty period of 12 months to be included in the purchase
- Software must be a one-off purchase, no subscription
Any software licences required for the operation of the vehicle will be a one-off purchase only and not be as a subscription service.
Written with AI from the official notice. Check the notice before relying on it.
What the buyer says
Cefas currently uses hand deployable multi-parameter sondes (CTDs) for collecting water column data. With the advent of easy-to-use small AUVs we wish to supplement these programs with more autonomous data collection. We envision a platform which will collect data comparable with our current instruments, which can also operate fully autonomously for a period of hours while our staff conduct other activities. 3. Technical Requirement Cefas require one small autonomous underwater vehicle equipped with biogeochemical sensors to supplement our water quality monitoring efforts. 3.1 The vehicle will be capable of collecting marine biogeochemical observations to a depth of 250 m. 3.2 It will weigh no more than 20 kg in air and will be deployable by a single person by hand, from shore or small vessels. 3.3 It will be fitted with sensors meeting the following specifications. 3.3.1 Temperature: Range: 0°C to 35°C Initial accuracy: ±0.01° Resolution: 0.0005°C Time constant: ~1s Typical stability: < 0.002°C per year 3.3.2 Conductivity Range: 0–85 mS/cm Initial accuracy: ±0.003 mS/cm Resolution: 0.001 mS/cm Typical stability: < 0.02 mS/cm per year 3.3.3 Oxygen concentration Range: 0–500 µM Initial accuracy: ±2 µM Resolution: 0.1 µM Time constant: < 8 s Typical stability: < 0.5 % per year 3.3.4 Chlorophyll-a fluorescence 3.3.5 Optical backscatter / turbidity 3.3.6 The following optional sensors are of value: • fDOM • Photosynthetically active radiation (Cosine) 3.4 It will be capable of maintaining a fixed depth from the seabed. 3.5 It will be capable of repeatedly navigating a saw-tooth transect mission plan in the presence of horizontal currents up to 2 knots, while maintaining navigation performance. 3.6 It will have an endurance of no less than 5 hours under the stated conditions…
Getting the documents
atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome (the buyer's own site, usually free to register).
Procedure: Open procedure (Open: anyone can bid, in one stage). Published 22 Oct 2026.
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