Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
UK Research & Innovation
Polaris House
North Star Avenue
Swindon
SN2 1FL
UK
Contact person: Kate Richardson
Telephone: +44 7562167366
E-mail: Nercprocurement@ukri.org
NUTS: UKK14
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.ukri.org
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at:
http://www.ukri.delta-esourcing.com
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Other: Research
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
UKRI-3201 New England Shelf Hydrogeology
Reference number: UKRI-3201
II.1.2) Main CPV code
76320000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The British Geological Survey (BGS), acting on behalf of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD), requires a marine coring capability and suitable vessel to operate offshore New England, USA, for a scientific drilling, coring and groundwater sampling campaign for a period of between 60 – 90 days (estimated) between May and August 2025. This scientific coring project seeks to extend our understanding of the current and past states of fluid composition, pressure, and temperature in continental shelf environments. In many coastal settings worldwide, the distribution of freshwater within continental shelf sediments is far out of equilibrium with modern sea level. One of the most remarkable examples is found on the Atlantic continental shelf off New England where groundwater within shallow Pliocene-Pleistocene sand aquifers over 100 km offshore has low salinity (3000 mg/l or less). This project will test several hypotheses to help constrain rates, directions, and mechanisms of groundwater flow and chemical fluxes in continental shelf systems.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
26 000 000.00
USD
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
34514000
43124900
45262422
76340000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
US
Main site or place of performance:
United States
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The project requires a contractor to provide a suitable platform from which to deploy coring apparatus to achieve near-continuous core samples (min. diameter 64mm) from seabed to a total depth (TD) of 550 mbsf (meters below sea floor) at each of 3 pre-determined sites. Additionally, the project requires to drill (not core) 2 boreholes at 2 of the 3 pre-determined sites for groundwater testing and sampling at specific intervals selected using the results from the cored boreholes. The contractor will be responsible for supplying the vessel and personnel; and undertaking the drilling, coring and groundwater testing/sampling requirements.
II.2.14) Additional information
UKRI are seeking to engage with interested contractors prior to going to market. Contractors are encouraged to express their interest in the opportunity via the Delta esourcing portal. Following an expression of interest, contractors may be invited to further engagement opportunities.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
01/07/2024
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-Swindon:-Offshore-drilling-services./88M76V55Z8
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/respond/88M76V55Z8
GO Reference: GO-2024524-PRO-26233639
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
24/05/2024