School of Biology/SMRU: Aircraft for the Aerial Survey of Grey Seal Breeding Colonies 2025

Tender description

In September to December 2025, SMRU will carry out repeat aerial surveys of around 80 grey seal breeding sites around Scotland and along the east coast of England (with the aim to survey each colony 4 or 5 times throughout the season). We therefore require a twin-engine aircraft (with survey pilot) with 4-5 hours available flight time excluding reserve fuel time. Lot 1: In September to December 2025, SMRU will carry out repeat aerial surveys of around 80 grey seal breeding sites around Scotland and along the east coast of England (with the aim to survey each colony 4 or 5 times throughout the season). We therefore require a twin-engine aircraft (with survey pilot) with 4-5 hours available flight time excluding reserve fuel time. Several flights will be to and from relatively remote airports such as Stornoway and Kirkwall. The aircraft must accommodate two SMRU staff and SMRU’s aerial camera system (PAS150). Surveys will be carried out from mid-September 2025 until early January 2026 with 9 or 10 separate rounds of surveys (most of these taking 3 to 4 days each) spread through the season with approximately 10-day intervals between rounds. The total flying time is expected to be around 120 hours (which would probably mean around 135 hours engine time). We estimate a total number of approx. 40 flights conducted on around 30 different days will be needed. Overnights at various airports (e.g. Stornoway, Kirkwall, Perth, Norwich) will be required. Please see ITT for full details. Additional information: All tenders for the University of St Andrews are administered through our eTendering System (InTend).To Express an Interest please go to our tender website at https://intendhost.co.uk/universityofstandrews Please note that 'Notes of Interest' placed via PCS (Public Contracts Scotland) are not automatically accepted