Award

commissioning research to gather evidence to develop and support our understanding of the environmental impact of spacecraft launch.

DFTC - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

04 Jun 2025 at 15:29

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Transport (DfT) has completed a public procurement process related to the commissioning of research on the environmental impact of spacecraft launch. This procurement falls under the industry category of "Design and execution of research and development" and has been classified with the CPV code 73300000. The procurement process employed a selective method, specifically a call-off from a framework agreement, and was valued at £200,000. The contract period spanned from 12th March 2025 to 29th August 2025. This initiative involved multiple geographic areas, including the United Kingdom and British Overseas Territories, among others. The contracting authority responsible for the process is based out of Great Minster House, London. The award was granted to the University of Leeds on 20th February 2025, and the procurement process has now reached the "award" stage with the status marked "complete".

This tender provides significant business growth opportunities, particularly for enterprises specialising in environmental research, aerospace, and climate science. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are well-suited to compete for similar tenders due to the focus on innovative research solutions and the need for specialised knowledge in atmospheric and environmental impact assessment. The successful completion of such contracts can bolster a company's profile within the public sector and open doors to further research and development projects. The expertise required for such a detailed analysis underscores the potential for collaboration with leading educational institutions like the University of Leeds, showcasing the value of partnerships in delivering cutting-edge research outcomes.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

commissioning research to gather evidence to develop and support our understanding of the environmental impact of spacecraft launch.

Notice Description

The Department for Transport (DfT) is interested in commissioning research to gather evidence to develop and support our understanding of the environmental impact of spacecraft launch. There is a gap in understanding of the impact of rocket launches on atmospheric composition and climate, both for current and new rocket fuels. We want to understand the chemistry, volumes of exhaust entering the atmosphere, especially stratosphere, from rocket launch activities, its dispersion and their contribution to climate change. This research will allow DfT to understand whether there is an atmospheric issue from the effects of spacecraft launches and the potential size of the problem.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ea921b42-f991-4886-b03c-e91d8da250f6
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
11 Feb 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Feb 20251 years ago
Contract Period
12 Mar 2025 - 29 Aug 2025 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DFTC - DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
Contact Name
Carwyn Jenkins
Contact Email
dftc.procurement@dft.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DR
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
Vincent Square
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd-2025-06-04T16:29:42+01:00",
    "date": "2025-06-04T16:29:42+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "tender_480199/1487498",
        "title": "commissioning research to gather evidence to develop and support our understanding of the environmental impact of spacecraft launch.",
        "description": "The Department for Transport (DfT) is interested in commissioning research to gather evidence to develop and support our understanding of the environmental impact of spacecraft launch. There is a gap in understanding of the impact of rocket launches on atmospheric composition and climate, both for current and new rocket fuels. We want to understand the chemistry, volumes of exhaust entering the atmosphere, especially stratosphere, from rocket launch activities, its dispersion and their contribution to climate change. This research will allow DfT to understand whether there is an atmospheric issue from the effects of spacecraft launches and the potential size of the problem.",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "73300000",
            "description": "Design and execution of research and development"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "postalCode": "SW1P 4DR"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "British Oversea Territories"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Channel Islands"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Europe"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Rest of the World"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amount": 200000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "selective",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Call-off from a framework agreement",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-02-11T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2025-03-12T00:00:00Z",
            "endDate": "2025-08-29T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": true
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-166459",
            "name": "DfTc - Department for Transport",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "DfTc - Department for Transport"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Great Minster House, Horseferry Road",
                "locality": "London",
                "postalCode": "SW1P 4DR",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Carwyn Jenkins",
                "email": "dftc.procurement@dft.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-318817",
            "name": "University of Leeds",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "University of Leeds"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "National Centre for Earth Observation Space Park Leicester Corporation Road Leicester LE4 5SP"
            },
            "details": {
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-CFS-166459",
        "name": "DfTc - Department for Transport"
    },
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "ocds-b5fd17-3aeadd8f-c451-4a5d-878a-b61c0d7841cd-1",
            "status": "active",
            "date": "2025-02-20T00:00:00Z",
            "datePublished": "2025-06-04T16:29:42+01:00",
            "value": {
                "amount": 200000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-CFS-318817",
                    "name": "University of Leeds"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2025-03-12T00:00:00Z",
                "endDate": "2025-08-29T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "description": "Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder",
                    "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ea921b42-f991-4886-b03c-e91d8da250f6",
                    "datePublished": "2025-06-04T16:29:42+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html",
                    "language": "en"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}