Tender: Dry-Dock Refit and Maintenance for RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook – National Oceanography Centre (2026)

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The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is seeking a supplier for scheduled dry-dock refit, maintenance and upgrade services for the research vessels RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook. The single-contract procurement is being run as an accelerated open procedure under the Procurement Act 2023 and all tender documentation is available via the MyTenders portal; submissions must be made electronically through the portal and comply with stated word and page limits. The contract covers annual refit works, intermediate docking surveys, class certification renewal, equipment inspection and servicing, and minor upgrades to propulsion, electrical, laboratory and deck handling systems, while requiring compliance with UK health and safety law, marine industry best practice and relevant classification standards. Suppliers must provide suitable dock space, infrastructure, office accommodation for the Marine Superintendent, mobilisation and demobilisation facilities, and robust management of UK-based suppliers and subcontractors; the contract allows for emergent works and contingency repairs to keep both vessels operational for scientific research. Pricing must be fully delivered in pounds sterling (exclusive of VAT), fixed for the initial term with permitted indexation, and may combine fixed-price and time-and-materials elements with milestone payments; tenders will be evaluated on mandatory compliance, scored qualitative/technical criteria and price, with due diligence and a mandatory standstill period before award.