Tender

Feasibility of automated sample collection using a quadruped robot

UK ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

19 Nov 2025 at 15:00

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Atomic Energy Authority is inviting tenders for the "Feasibility of Automated Sample Collection Using a Quadruped Robot" project, classified under experimental development services. The primary objective is to assess the quadruped robot, Spot, for health physics sample collection in hazardous environments. The tender focuses on software development and hardware evaluation, with opportunities for supplementary hardware contributions. This procurement, currently in the tender stage, follows an open procedure, allowing widespread competition. Prospective contractors have until 3rd December 2025 to submit their bids, with the contract running from 18th December 2025 to 31st March 2026. The project serves multiple locations, including the UK, Europe, and other specified regions.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in software programming, industrial robotics, and engineering design services. Particularly, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary community and social enterprises (VCSEs) might find this project advantageous, as it seeks expertise in innovative software solutions and performance evaluation of robotic systems. Companies capable of delivering value-adding hardware or consultancy in electromechanical supplies will also find this tender aligns with their capabilities. Participation could foster development in automated robotics and remote operations, contributing to enhanced safety in challenging environments.

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.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Feasibility of automated sample collection using a quadruped robot

Notice Description

The RAICo programme are investigating the potential of using a quadruped robot (Spot) as a robotic platform for remote health physics sample collection through swabbing, thus reducing health physics technicians' exposure to hazardous environments. To achieve this, RAICo have manufactured specialist sample collection tools designed to interface with Spot's robotic arm and mounting rails. The Contractor's scope shall include the requirements capture, design, manufacture, delivery, and functional demonstration (including all required testing, verification, and documentation) for the evaluation of Spot's autonomous navigation and automatic robotic arm motion performance. The focus will be on software development and the hardware used for evaluating the arm's overall performance but any supplementary hardware will be considered if it provides value to the final solution

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-51bb1204-7820-4f15-a232-e38e74288436
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2611f2ed-01e3-4348-8344-fe7f6e59672b
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

42 - Industrial machinery

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

31700000 - Electronic, electromechanical and electrotechnical supplies

42997300 - Industrial robots

71320000 - Engineering design services

72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

73120000 - Experimental development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
18 Dec 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
OXFORDSHIRE
Postcode
OX14 3DB
Post Town
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Oxfordshire
Electoral Ward
Sandford & the Wittenhams
Westminster Constituency
Didcot and Wantage

Further Information

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-b5fd17-51bb1204-7820-4f15-a232-e38e74288436-2025-11-19T15:00:38Z",
    "date": "2025-11-19T15:00:38Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-51bb1204-7820-4f15-a232-e38e74288436",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "20251119150032-72814",
        "title": "Feasibility of automated sample collection using a quadruped robot",
        "description": "The RAICo programme are investigating the potential of using a quadruped robot (Spot) as a robotic platform for remote health physics sample collection through swabbing, thus reducing health physics technicians' exposure to hazardous environments. To achieve this, RAICo have manufactured specialist sample collection tools designed to interface with Spot's robotic arm and mounting rails. The Contractor's scope shall include the requirements capture, design, manufacture, delivery, and functional demonstration (including all required testing, verification, and documentation) for the evaluation of Spot's autonomous navigation and automatic robotic arm motion performance. The focus will be on software development and the hardware used for evaluating the arm's overall performance but any supplementary hardware will be considered if it provides value to the final solution",
        "datePublished": "2025-11-19T15:00:38Z",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "73120000",
            "description": "Experimental development services"
        },
        "additionalClassifications": [
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "72200000",
                "description": "Software programming and consultancy services"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "31700000",
                "description": "Electronic, electromechanical and electrotechnical supplies"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "42997300",
                "description": "Industrial robots"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "73100000",
                "description": "Research and experimental development services"
            },
            {
                "scheme": "CPV",
                "id": "71320000",
                "description": "Engineering design services"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "countryName": "British Oversea Territories"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Channel Islands"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Europe"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Rest of the World"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-12-03T12:00:00Z"
        },
        "contractPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2025-12-18T00:00:00Z",
            "endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": true
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "description": "Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2611f2ed-01e3-4348-8344-fe7f6e59672b",
                "datePublished": "2025-11-19T15:00:38Z",
                "format": "text/html",
                "language": "en"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "description": "Additional data",
                "url": "https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=100101&B=UKAEA"
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "description": "User / Company",
                "url": "https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/72814"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-313330",
            "name": "UK Atomic Energy Authority",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "UK Atomic Energy Authority"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Culham Science Centre",
                "locality": "Oxfordshire",
                "postalCode": "OX14 3DB",
                "countryName": "ENG"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Colette Broadwith",
                "email": "colette.broadwith@ukaea.uk"
            },
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-CFS-313330",
        "name": "UK Atomic Energy Authority"
    }
}