The Research Vessel (RV) Cefas Endeavour is a critical piece of national scientific infrastructure and reaches the end of its 30-year planned operational life in 2033. A project has been established to begin the work to develop a replacement vessel which can transform the way our seas are monitored by embracing new technologies for data collection and by providing next generation capability to progress our commitments to net zero.

The project received Strategic Outline Case (SOC) approval from HM Treasury in late 2023 and is currently progressing to Outline Business Case (OBC) submission stage. The OBC will put forward (as the preferred option) a replacement vessel and is due to be submitted for investment consideration, decisions and approvals by the end of June 2025.

To inform the OBC’s Procurement Strategy within the Commercial Case, Cefas are conducting early market engagement with industry to help define and develop the procurement and commercial strategies.

Following the publication of the Prior Information Notice (PIN), Cefas invites suppliers from the shipbuilding industry and associated supply chain to a Market Engagement event. The purpose of the event is to share information about Cefas and the ‘Cefas Infrastructure to Support Future Delivery at Sea’ project, the anticipated tender process (subject to business case approval), high level evaluation criteria and draft commercial arrangements. There will be opportunity for attendees to ask questions, network and provide feedback.

About Cefas

Cefas is a world leader in marine science and technology, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) collects, manages and interprets data on the aquatic environment, biodiversity and fisheries.

Cefas is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

Read more about what we do

For further information about Cefas please also see: Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science)

Please see the draft agenda for the day:

09.00 - 09.30 Registration - tea, coffee and networking

09.30 - 09.45 Opening welcome: Neil Hornby (Cefas CEO)

09.45 - 09.55 Agenda and aims of the event: Steve Millward (Project SRO)

09.55 - 10.25 Data collection at Sea: Speaker tbc (Cefas)

10.25 - 10.35 National Shipbuilding Office: Sam Maggs (NSO)

10.35 - 11.00 Procurement process / timetable overview incl Q&A: Speaker tbc (Cefas/Defra group Commercial)

11.00 - 11.15 Break - tea, coffee and networking

11.15 - 12.00 Technical requirement overview incl Q&A: James Parker (Cefas Technical Lead)

12.00 - 13.00 Lunch and networking

13.00 - 13.05 Welcome back from lunch: Steve Millward (Project SRO)

13.05 - 14.15 Proposed contractual / commercial arrangements incl Q&A: Defra group Commercial / Cefas legal adviser

14.15 - 14.45 Panel questions / feedback: Steve Millward (Project SRO)

14:45 – 14:50 Final remarks and close: Neil Hornby (Cefas CEO)

14:50 - 15.30 Further networking, tea and coffee

The PIN can be reached at the QR Code below: