Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Scottish Natural Heritage
Great Glen House, Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW
UK
Telephone: +44 1463725097
E-mail: flexibleprocurement@scotland-excel.org.uk
NUTS: UKM62
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://www.nature.scot
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00383
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal agency/office
I.5) Main activity
Environment
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Marine Survey Vessel
Reference number: PP1488
II.1.2) Main CPV code
34500000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
II.1.4) Short description
NatureScot’s survey vessel, Aphrodite, is a 24-year-old rigid hull inflatable boat that has reached the end of its recommended service life.
NatureScot therefore requires the design, manufacture, commissioning, and delivery of a replacement versatile survey vessel and trailer capable of conducting marine environmental monitoring for a range of diverse habitats and species in Scotland’s inshore waters.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
207 068.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
34520000
34521000
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The vessel will be used by NatureScot to undertake marine environmental monitoring and survey activities within Scotland’s inshore waters (within 12nm).
The vessel shall provide a safe, reliable, and versatile platform capable of supporting a range of scientific and operational activities, including:
- Marine Protected Area (MPA) monitoring
- Benthic habitat surveys
- Species monitoring and evidence-gathering
- Diver-based surveys and sampling
- Drop-down video (DDV) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys
- Deployment and recovery of scientific monitoring equipment
- Acoustic monitoring and hydrographic survey activities
- Operations in remote coastal and island locations (e.g. Shiant Isles, Mingulay and Sanday (Orkney))
The vessel shall be capable of supporting these activities whilst carrying personnel and equipment safely in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion: Quality
/ Weighting: 70
Price
/ Weighting:
30
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
II.2.14) Additional information
Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of Scottish Natural Heritage (NatureScot) in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.
The duration of the contract may be varied in line with the finalised delivery programme.
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open 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:
2026/S 000-070111
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
16/10/2026
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 3
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 3
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 3
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 3
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Cheetah Marine International Ltd
Ocean Blue Quay, The Esplanade
Ventnor, Isle of Wight
PO38 1JR
UK
Telephone: +44 7710985725
NUTS: UK
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 207 068.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
(SC Ref:846351)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
The Inverness Justice Centre
Inverness
IV1 1AH
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
23/10/2026