CEFAS26-130 Cefas Research Vessel

1. The purpose of this notice is to inform the market that the market engagement described in Prior Information Notice (PIN) 2024/S 000-028748 relating to the procurement of a replacement Cefas research vessel has concluded, and that the procurement approach contemplated in connection with that notice will not be progressed.

2. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), acting through its executive agency, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) issued PIN 2024/S 000-028748 in September 2024 in relation to the procurement of ‘Cefas Research Vessel Infrastructure to Support Future Delivery at Sea’. Since that time, the Government has published further policy and guidance on the protection of national security through public procurement.

3. In June 2026, the Cabinet Office published Procurement Policy Note 025, Protecting the UK's National Security through Public Procurement. Having consulted the National Shipbuilding Office, Defra has determined that, in the interests of national security, and the availability of the sovereign UK shipbuilding capability required to design, build and support vessels carrying out such functions in times of need, the contract for the replacement Cefas research vessel should not be subject to the Procurement Act 2023. The contract is accordingly an exempted contract under paragraph 25 of Schedule 2 to that Act.

4. Defra therefore intends to conduct a competitive procurement designed to protect the national security interests identified above. Participation will be limited to shipyards satisfying the UK eligibility requirements to be specified in the procurement documents.

5. This notice is published voluntarily for transparency and market-notification purposes, to inform organisations that expressed an interest in, or may otherwise have been interested in, the opportunity described in PIN 2024/S 000-028748 of the conclusion of that market engagement and of Defra's revised procurement approach.

6. We request that all future communications are sent to ResearchVesselProcurement@cefas.gov.uk