Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE
Pakefield Road
Lowestoft
NR33 0HT
UK
Contact person: Giovana Cousseau
E-mail: procure@cefas.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.cefas.co.uk/
Address of the buyer profile: https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Environment
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
ITT for 'SeaScope' data management and data science development
Reference number: CEFAS25-53
II.1.2) Main CPV code
72212983
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Via the CCS RM6292 Cloud Compute 2 Framework, Lot 3 - Cefas require provision of a Microsoft Fabric Environment to provide Data Management and wider Microsoft Fabric Environment Capabilities and Data Science Services within Cefas.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
800 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
72212983
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UK
Main site or place of performance:
UK
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
Cefas is looking to engage a Technology Partner skilled in the implementation of the Microsoft Fabric environment and related Data Science Azure based services for a multi-year programme to build a Microsoft Fabric environment-based data platform and Azure environment to support Cefas Scientists to deliver excellent science.<br/><br/>Cefas science, evidence and advice provides vital insights for decision making on the sustainable use of resources from our rivers, seas and ocean. At a moment when aquatic systems are increasingly threatened by diverse natural and anthropogenic pressures, management is not only becoming more complex but must take place alongside an overarching imperative to improve the status of our waters for the next generation.<br/><br/>This strategy will build upon our heritage as a trusted and impartial provider of science, evidence and advice to government by innovating our approach to data collection, curation, sharing and use.<br/><br/>Healthy and productive marine systems are vital for societal health, wealth and wellbeing. Our work focuses on understanding and mitigating against the triple threat posed by climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution – allowing for better decision making on sustainable use of resources from our seas and oceans.<br/><br/>Access to, and analysis of, big data from multiple sources and of varying types will be fundamental in complex policy decision making across systems.<br/><br/>The 'SeaScope' will develop a framework for a new, federated approach to marine science data collection, storage, and use by Cefas and partners. It will become a platform for mainstreaming novel data science approaches and remove data and conceptual silos to allow better marine policy decision making.<br/><br/>The combination of new technology and new platforms (like a ship) and integration of data generation will enable deeper understanding of complex marine and fisheries systems, by aligning datasets as never before to offer insights into impacts of management, emergencies, or new proposed uses.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Social Value
/ Weighting: 10
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 80
Cost criterion: Cost
/ Weighting: 10
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2023/S 000-036728
Section V: Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
10/10/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 10
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 10
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Hitachi Solutions Europe Ltd
04924233
23rd Floor, Heron Tower
London
EC2N 4AY
UK
Telephone: +44 02031985136
E-mail: procure@cefas.gov.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.hitachi-solutions.co.uk/
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 800 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Public Procurement Review Body
N/A
N/A
N/A
UK
E-mail: publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit
VI.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Public Procurement Review Body
N/A
N/A
N/A
UK
E-mail: publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
30/10/2025