Field Maintenance Services for a UK Meteorological and Soil Moisture Monitoring Network

Tender description

The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) will shortly be looking to appoint an experienced Meteorological Remote Field Maintenance & Service company to maintain its network of soil moisture and weather stations at 50 remote outdoor field locations across the UK. The COSMOS-UK project is funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) as national capability. The Scope of Services includes: annual Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) for all stations in the COSMOS-UK network; the associated management and supply of parts ready for installation (including re-calibration, repair and replacement of sensors from third parties); maintenance of the fenced compound (vegetation, post and wire fence); and project management services to a recognised standard. During the contract period, you will work collaboratively with UKCEH to provide day to day management during the field season (April-September). In addition to providing technical advice to deliver a cost-effective and stable monitoring system with telemetry of "near-real time" data from a range of sensors. Instruments: COSMOS-UK is characterised by the use of a Cosmic-Ray Neutron Sensor. Other sensors in the network include: rain gauge; point soil moisture sensors; soil heat flux plate; soil temperature sensors; 4-component radiometer; relative humidity and air temperature sensors; barometric pressure; 3-dimensional ultrasonic anemometer; snow depth sensor; snow water equivalent and static camera. A data logger is used to acquire and forward data in near-real time, using IP networking over cellular mobile or satellite communication links. The instrumentation is contained within 12 x 3 m fenced compounds, often on farmland or nature reserves. These monitoring stations are nearly all solar-powered with associated battery packs, in remote locations. Stations are situated all across the UK. Further information about the COSMOS-UK network can be found in the COSMOS-UK User Guide and on the project website (https://cosmos.ceh.ac.uk/) UKCEH would like to hear from interested bidders in order to understand the market for this specialist service area. The contract may be renewed annually for a term of three years subject to performance and ongoing business need. Please respond to this advert with a maximum two page summary of experience and abilities. UKCEH will meet with selected respondents.