Tender: Supply of Hand-Deployable Small AUV with Biogeochemical Sensors for Water Quality Monitoring – Cefas Lowestoft (Delivery w/c 15 Mar 2027)

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Cefas is seeking a supplier for one hand-deployable small autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) equipped with biogeochemical sensors to supplement water quality monitoring. The vehicle must collect marine biogeochemical observations to 250 m, weigh no more than 20 kg in air, be deployable by a single person from shore or small vessels, and have endurance of at least 5 hours. Required sensors include temperature (0–35°C, ±0.01°C initial accuracy, 0.0005°C resolution), conductivity (0–85 mS/cm, ±0.003 mS/cm initial accuracy, 0.001 mS/cm resolution), oxygen concentration (0–500 µM, ±2 µM initial accuracy, 0.1 µM resolution), chlorophyll-a fluorescence and optical backscatter/turbidity; optional sensors of value include fDOM and cosine PAR. The AUV must maintain a fixed depth from the seabed, repeatedly navigate saw-tooth transect missions in currents up to 2 knots, provide mission planning via a graphical user interface, support surface communications (VHF or Iridium SBD), include high-visibility markings and surface recovery aids, implement software safeguards and an abort-to-surface procedure, and allow data download in a matter of minutes. Environmental considerations include low power consumption, design for reuse/remanufacture, packaging disposal or re-use, and lifecycle assessment. Software must be compatible with Windows 11 and built in line with NCSC guidance; licences must be one-off purchases, cloud servers (if used) must be in the UK or Northern Europe, the vehicle must be operable without an internet connection, and all collected data will belong to Cefas. Preference is given to vehicles integrated with RBR Legato and Tridente instruments. Suppliers must provide setup information, manuals and training materials, offer rechargeable batteries (preferred), allow easy sensor removal and independent calibration, ensure sensors are independently replaceable, include software updates for the vehicle lifetime at no additional cost, make replacement parts available at reasonable cost and indicate annual servicing requirements and costs, and provide a minimum 12-month warranty from acceptance. Delivery to Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory (Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT) is essential in the week commencing 15 March 2027 and all pricing must be DDP if imported. Tenderers must be registered under the Data Protection Act 2018 and may be required to complete a DPIA; personnel may need HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks and potentially CTC or SC vetting, and IT infrastructure may be required to hold Cyber Essentials Plus or ISO27001 certification. The contract implementation is expected to start 15 December 2026 and will remain in effect until the expiry of the warranty period.