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ONP Evaluation

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

15 Oct 2026 at 11:04

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), through its Digital Infrastructure directorate, commissioned specialist evaluation services for the UK Government’s Open Networks Programme (ONP). The work evaluates a portfolio of 11 interventions supporting research, development, testing and market adoption of open, interoperable network technologies, principally Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN). The programme’s funded activities ran from 2021 to March 2026. The evaluation is to use robust mixed-method analysis and assess the programme’s results and performance. This is research and development and related consultancy work (CPV 73000000). The procurement identifies delivery across the United Kingdom and internationally.

The procurement is complete and was awarded to Technopolis Limited. DSIT used a selective procedure, making a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system. The contract award date was 24 September 2026. The contract runs from 12 October 2026 to 12 October 2027, with a stated term of 12 months; any extension requires agreement under the contract clauses. The awarded value is £599,760 excluding VAT, against a maximum budget of £600,000 excluding VAT. The contract concerns an interim evaluation of the ONP, a programme with a stated portfolio value of £295.5 million. Submissions closed on 17 July 2026 at 13:00. The procurement was marked suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

For suppliers considering similar evaluation work for DSIT, this award indicates demand for specialist assessment of large, multi-intervention technology programmes, particularly in digital infrastructure and open, interoperable networks. A credible competitor would need to design and deliver robust mixed-method evaluation, covering research, development, testing and market adoption, and to assess outcomes across a varied portfolio. The commissioned approach was explicitly aligned with HM Treasury’s Magenta Book guidance on evaluation design and the Green Book’s principles of appraisal, value for money and risk management. Experience applying these frameworks, analysing complex programmes and producing evidence useful for public-sector appraisal would therefore be relevant. DSIT used a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system, and the opportunity was identified as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs as well as larger consultancies.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

ONP Evaluation

Notice Description

The project is being commissioned by Digital Infrastructure (DI), a directorate within the Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DSIT) (the Contracting Authority). The Term of the Contract is 12 months. The maximum budget available for this contract is PS600,000 (excluding VAT). Any extension would need to be agreed with the Contracting Authority in accordance with the contractual clauses. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is commissioning an evaluation of the UK Government's Open Networks Programme (ONP), a PS295.5m portfolio of 11 interventions supporting research, development, testing, and market adoption of open and interoperable network technologies, principally Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN). The first funded activities started in summer 2021, and the final activities concluded in March 2026. Through this procurement, we are seeking specialist evaluation services to deliver an interim evaluation of the programme, encompassing robust mixed method analysis, aligned with HM Treasury's Magenta Book guidance on evaluation design and the Green Book's principles of appraisal, value for money and risk management.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-805a0222-b95f-4d91-9340-7a68efb5536a
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/99f3e70f-1dc7-4080-a63c-8259a4b9a3dc
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£599,760 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£599,760 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
24 Sep 20261 months ago
Contract Period
12 Oct 2026 - 12 Oct 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SALFORD
Postcode
M3 5BS
Postcode Area
Manchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD34 Greater Manchester South West
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Salford
Electoral Ward
Blackfriars & Trinity
Westminster Constituency
Salford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

TECHNOPOLIS LIMITED

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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