The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is looking to establish a Framework Agreement on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport. The framework shall be made up of specialist commercial providers with a firm background in the maritime sector who supply multi-disciplinary maritime technical and scientific services in response to an emergency incident.

The Contracting Authorities will usually be the MCA, Department for Transport Central, Trinity House, Northern Lighthouse Board. The MCA reserve the right to procure services on behalf of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Home Office, DEFRA, British Overseas Territories (Anguilla, Ascension, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Monserrat, Saint Helena, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Tristan da Cunha and the Pitcairn Islands and Turks & Caicos Islands) and Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey & Isle of Man) during the life of this framework agreement in the event of an emergency response requirement.

The scope of Lot 1 shall include, but is not limited to services that typically provide advice regarding vessel assessment, wreck removal, environmental protection, safety measures, salvage equipment and coordination advice with relevant authorities and to work closely to facilitate communication between the Contracting Authority and all other parties engaged in any Salvage response requirement.

The scope of Lot 2 shall incorporate and consider Technical Services that consider Cargo vessels that carry:

• Nuclear

• Hazardous and Noxious Substance (HNS):

• Flammable, Toxic, Explosive, Reactive, Corrosive and Bio-Hazard

• Bulk

• Packaged

• Alternate/New Fuels - LNG, Ammonia, Hydrogen, Methanol et al

• General

The scope of Lot 4 shall include, but is not limited to services that typically provide dive teams to the Contracting Authority for the purposes of supporting operational activity for vessels of all sizes and must be in a position to address the specific needs and challenges associated with underwater operations, and by doing so providing comprehensive support to the Contracting Authority.

The scope of Lot 5 is to secure Technical Services that can assist the Contracting Authority to analyse the structural integrity of vessels and develop suitable and robust salvage plans that include, but are not limited to naval architect, masters, surveyors and chief engineers. Service Providers are required to provide a detailed understanding of vessel design and engineering principles to the salvage response and contribute essential insights to ensure the safe and effective recovery of distressed maritime assets.

The scope of Lot 6 is to Legal Services that the Contracting Authority may require to support in the response to an emergency response situation for the MCA, its UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies to ensure compliance with, and implementation of, International Maritime obligations and conventions.

In the international arena, the UK Member State comprises of the UK, the OTs and CDs and the UK represents the OTs and CDs at the International Maritime Organization and International Labour Organization and retains responsibility for the OTs and CDs which includes monitoring of compliance towards internationally set obligations.