Contract awardedAir charter

School of Biology/SMRU: Helicopter for August Aerial Surveys of Seals in Scotland

University of St Andrews
Scotland
Open procedure
31 July 2026 to 31 July 2029

Helicopter flights will support thermal-imaging surveys of seals on rocky coastlines, with survey periods dictated by afternoon low-tide windows during the August moult season. The requirement could involve approximately 140 engine hours, including transit and positioning, spread across 30–40 flying days. Flights are weather-dependent, and most islands more than 10 km offshore are excluded.

Open the official notice

Awarded value: £273k; As published
Published: 5 June 2026
Awarded: 31 July 2026; PDG Helicopters
Contract length: 36 months; Ends 31 July 2029

What the contract covers

Services contract

Helicopter charter and aerial survey support for wildlife monitoring using thermal imaging equipment.

Helicopter charter for surveying seals inhabiting rocky coastlines using a thermal imaging camera in a helicopter

Lot	Estimated value	SMEs
Lot 1	Not stated	Not stated
Lot 2	Not stated	Not stated

Terms and requirements

Contract type: Services contract
Procedure: Open procedure
Initial term: 36 months
Extensions: 12 months + 12 months
Longest it can run: 60 months
Contract dates: 31 July 2026 to 31 July 2029
Certifications asked for: None stated
Lots: 2
Suitable for SMEs: Not stated
Category: Services
CPV codes: 60424100, 60424120

Services in this contract

Air and helicopter charterMain service£146k typicalHelicopter charter for August aerial seal surveys

Lifecycle

Published
5 June 2026
Contract awardedto PDG Helicopters
31 July 2026
Contract starts
31 July 2026
Contract ends
31 July 2029

The buyer

University of St Andrews

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Name: Locked
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The supplier

PDG Helicopters

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Value won, 24 months: Locked
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Cite this contract

Link: https://bidskim.com/tender/3625838/school-of-biology-smru-helicopter-for-august-aerial-surveys-of-seals-in-scotland
Buyer reference: BIO/050626/CM/SL
Open contracting ID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000833714
Last checked: 5 November 2026

University of St Andrews. School of Biology/SMRU: Helicopter for August Aerial Surveys of Seals in Scotland. Contract award, 5 June 2026. BidSkim, https://bidskim.com/tender/3625838/school-of-biology-smru-helicopter-for-august-aerial-surveys-of-seals-in-scotland (accessed 5 November 2026).