Diving Services Open Framework 2026 (FWA 1)

Procurement reference

ITT_121338

Procurement description

This will be a framework agreement to provide scientific divers and support for monitoring Habitats Directive Annex I subtidal reef features within Welsh SACs. Support will be provided as required and may include survey coordination, dive supervision, specialist taxonomic work during dives, and maintenance of monitoring sites.

The anticipated duration of the framework agreement as a whole will be 8 years, but within this timeframe the framework will be split into a series of frameworks (3+3+2) will reopen at year 2029 and 2032. Competition will be re-opened at each point, Further information in Invitation to tender documentation.

Main category

Services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Total value (estimated, excluding VAT)

700000 GBP to 5600000GBP

Contract dates (estimated)

01 May 2026, 00:00AM to 01 May 2034, 23:59PM

Is a framework being established?

Yes

Is this an open framework scheme?

Yes

Natural Resources Wales

Procedure type

Open procedure

Is the total value above threshold?

Above threshold

Trade agreements

Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

Percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Open framework scheme end date (estimated)

01 May 2034, 23:59PM

Award method when using the framework

Without reopening competition

Framework operation description

information within the Invitation to tender documents available on etenderwales

Description

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have an advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification and taxonomy of marine sponges (Porifera), including methods for identification and preservation and will have key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible.

Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.

CPV classifications

• 98363000 - Diving services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

700000 GBP Excluding VAT

840000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 May 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

01 May 2034, 23:59PM

Award criteria

Description

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have an advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification and taxonomy of red, green and brown marine seaweeds, the methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible.

Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.

CPV classifications

• 98363000 - Diving services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

700000 GBP Excluding VAT

840000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 May 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

01 May 2034, 23:59PM

Award criteria

Description

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have advanced specialist knowledge and experience in the identification of UK non-native species. They will have excellent taxonomic skills to be able to differentiate these species from similar native species. They will be up to date with such species currently found or likely to be found in Wales and the UK, horizon scanning literature and other sources of information. They will have specialist knowledge in the methods for identification and preservation and key literature to assist identification in field laboratory where in situ identification is not possible.

Where suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work, you may be required to provide rolling diver supervisor duties as part of this lot.

CPV classifications

• 98363000 - Diving services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

700000 GBP Excluding VAT

840000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 May 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

01 May 2034, 23:59PM

Award criteria

Description

A diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. They will have excellent subtidal epibenthic species identification skills, being able to identify common Welsh subtidal species from the following phyla/groups: sponges, hydroids, annelids, molluscs, bryozoans, ascidians, algae and fish. They will be able demonstrate their experience in carrying out a variety of underwater ecological surveying techniques similar to that identified in NRW’s Standard Operating Procedures for our subtidal diving SAC monitoring, including species ‘cell frequency counts’, ‘Sponge morphologies quadrats’, and transect type surveys. They will also be experienced in photography, videography and other marine fieldwork methodologies to carry out our routine monitoring work

CPV classifications

• 98363000 - Diving services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

700000 GBP Excluding VAT

840000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 May 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

01 May 2034, 23:59PM

Award criteria

Description

An experienced diver qualified to dive under the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work regulations. A scientific diver with biological knowledge - not to be confused with commercial divers who may be an experienced diver but have no biological expertise/knowledge nor training in biological field survey techniques. Able to assist experienced surveyors, carry out videography, targeted sample collection, and surveys where less taxonomic skills are required such as sponge luxuriance, sponge morphology or seagrass surveys.

CPV classifications

• 98363000 - Diving services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

700000 GBP Excluding VAT

840000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 May 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

01 May 2034, 23:59PM

Award criteria

Description

A person suitably competent and experienced to supervise diving activities at work in accordance with the Scientific ACOP and according to the HSE Diving at Work Regulations. They don’t need to have biological expertise, but they do need to understand the nature of the work and the areas / dive sites where the diving operations are to take place. They will be expected to keep records of diving activities, control the diving operations, liaise with other maritime users and assist with the running of survey logistics. This role is for the supply of a dedicated diving supervisor as opposed to the provision of ad hoc rolling dive supervisor duties whilst providing services under another Lot

CPV classifications

• 98363000 - Diving services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

700000 GBP Excluding VAT

840000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 May 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

01 May 2034, 23:59PM

Award criteria

Description

A person with the skills and experience to plan, lead and coordinate field logistics and manage dive teams. Close liaison with the NRW project officer assisting in the coordination of survey requirements and field team as needed. Creating HSE Dive Project Plans, liaising with relevant Harbour Authorities and ensuring Notice to Mariners are issued where required. Liaising with recompression chambers facilities ahead of and during surveys to ensure availability in an emergency. Able to ensure the quality of the information gathered (monitoring data, dive logs, field activity diary etc), is secured and appropriately catalogued. Competent in ensuring the completion of an end of survey field report that summarises field operations and (with input from NRW staff) draws summary conclusions from the data collected. It is expected (and will be preferentially selected for) that the coordinator, if suitably skilled and experienced, would also act as one of the above diving and/or supervisor roles

CPV classifications

• 98363000 - Diving services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

700000 GBP Excluding VAT

840000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 May 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

01 May 2034, 23:59PM

Award criteria

Description

A person with a scientific background and preferably a diver with an appreciation of marine biological species and survey methods. They will be adept at transcribing complex data from field recording forms to spreadsheets or into databases such as Marine Recorder Online. Able to check the taxonomic species names in relevant literature where necessary. They will be competent in data validation techniques, use of spreadsheets and statistical software. The analyst may also be required to work with imaging software such Adobe Photoshop and Premiere for stitching images or extracting species data. A knowledge of annotation software BIIGLE and CATAMI would be advantageous. This role may be expected to attend surveys and input data at the survey base but not necessarily take part in diving operations themselves.

CPV classifications

• 98363000 - Diving services

Delivery regions

• UKL - Wales

Lot value (estimated)

700000 GBP Excluding VAT

840000 GBP Including VAT

Sustainability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

Contract start date (estimated)

01 May 2026, 00:00AM

Contract end date (estimated)

01 May 2034, 23:59PM

Award criteria

Tender submission deadline

12 March 2026, 13:00PM

Enquiry deadline

27 February 2026, 13:00PM

Date of award of contract

20 April 2026, 23:59PM

Submission address and any special instructions

Contractors/bidders should register on the eTendering portal https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.ukii) Once registered, suppliers must express their interest as followsa) login to the eTendering portalb) select ITT'c) select 'ITTs Open To All Suppliers'd) access the listing relating to the contract (itt_121338 "Diving Services Framework 2026") and view detailse) click on 'Express Interest' button in the 'Actions' box on the left-hand side of the pageiii) Once you have expressed interest, the ITT will move to 'My ITTs', where you can download and view documents and where you can construct your reply as instructed. All Invitation to tender documents are in the "RESPONSE FORM" Tab, there are no documents in the attachment area. You must then publish your reply using the publish button.iv) For any support in submitting your expression of interest, please contact the eTendering helpdesk on 0800 0112470 or at help@bravosolution.co.uk.NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?

May tenders be submitted electronically?

Yes

Is this a recurring procurement?

No

Publication date of next tender notice (estimated)

02 May 2034, 23:59PM

Languages that may be used for submission

• English
• Welsh