How to win: CEFAS26-130 Cefas Research Vessel

About this contract

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

How to win contracts like this

• ✓Answer against the marking scheme, not the question text — CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SCIENCE scores each response, so map your evidence to the published criteria and weightings.
• ✓At £115,000,000, expect quality and social value to carry a large share of the score — price alone rarely wins goods work.
• ✓Show recent, comparable delivery: name similar goods contracts you've delivered for public bodies, with measurable outcomes.
• ✓Start early: it closes 2 November 2026 and a strong bid takes iteration.

BidWriter drafts your responses from your company profile, scores them against the marking scheme, and tracks your whole pipeline. Free to start — no card needed.

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