Tender: Quarterly RPA Aerial Survey Flights in Sizewell–Thorpeness for BEEMS Environmental Monitoring

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Cefas is seeking a supplier for aerial data collection using Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in the Sizewell to Thorpeness region to support the BEEMS (British EDF Estuarine and Marine Studies) programme funded by NNB Generation Company Sizewell C (NNB GenCo SZC). The Supplier will deliver quarterly RPA flights to acquire survey data for environmental monitoring, with the first flight anticipated in March 2026 and the final flight in December 2028; the Contract is expected to start February 2026, the initial period ends 31 December 2028, and there are options to extend by two further 12‑month periods to a maximum end date of 31 December 2030. Suppliers must manage planning, notifications and the safe execution of each survey in accordance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) guidelines, and provide a day rate (Appendix 6) for occasional additional flights in the Sizewell area. Prior market engagement was not conducted, with Cefas noting a reasonably small pool of suppliers, including many SMEs, who can meet the requirements.