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"Airlock" Output Checking System OCS Decision Engine Development Partner

UK BIOBANK LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

06 Jul 2026 at 16:45

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Biobank Limited has awarded a contract to Kainos Software Limited for the development of an "Airlock" Output Checking System (OCS) Decision Engine. The procurement, classified under IT services, focuses on enhancing data security and trustworthiness within the UKB Resource and Activity Platform (UKB-RAP). Located in the North West region of the United Kingdom, this procurement is part of an open procedure tender, with the award decision finalised on 22 May 2026. The contract, valued at £2,000,000, is set from 3 July 2026 to 2 July 2032, marking the Award stage of the procurement.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in IT services, particularly those capable of delivering sophisticated data security solutions. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to engage, given the suitability considerations. The focus on developing core algorithms for the OCS Decision Engine offers a pathway for businesses to collaborate on pioneering data control technologies. Enterprises with expertise in automated assessment tools and integration with existing infrastructures will be well-suited to compete and thrive in this sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

"Airlock" Output Checking System OCS Decision Engine Development Partner

Notice Description

UKB is seeking to further improve its technical controls and intends to implement a functional mechanism to check data egress requests to ensure that participant record-level data is not being removed and does not contain information that can identify individual participants. This Output Checking System (OCS) functionality will allow UKB to enhance the security of the UKB-RAP, reduce the risk of advertent and inadvertent data breaches and importantly increase the trust and transparency of the UKB resource. UKB intends to commence a procurement exercise to procure a replacement for the current UKB-RAP in 2027, which will come into effect in 2028. The OCS will need to be integrated with the new UKB-RAP. To develop and deliver the OCS, UKB is separating the procurement into two elements which will need to be fully interoperable: 1. OCS User Interface (UI) and Workflow (subject to a separate tender exercise completed via the CCS G-Cloud 14 framework): The development of a seamless UI and Workflow for the OCS, including secure movement of data and integration with existing UKB infrastructure. 2. The OCS Decision Engine (this procurement): The development of the core algorithms to allow an automated assessment of the data being egressed, giving an overall confidence assessment score and a Red/Amber/Green (RAG) rating for decision making The OCS Decision Engine is made up of two components: 1. Data Trust Engine: reviews the egressed file(s) from UKB-RAP to detect the presence of sensitive information. Through the application of transparent, heuristic rules and configurable thresholds, the Data Trust Engine will create a score for how 'disclosive' the egressed data is that, when coupled with the researcher confidence score below, provides a Red (fail), Amber (unclear) or Green (pass) egress rating. 2. Researcher Behaviour Engine: derives the overall credibility of a given researcher within AMS and UKB-RAP, and assigns a confidence score, which will dictate how human-review decisions are made for 'Amber' outcomes from the Trust Engine. This procurement relates to a development partner to design and deliver the OCS Decision Engine, which will include the Data Trust Engine and Researcher Behaviour Engine. - The evaluation was concluded and a decision to award was made on Friday 22 May 2026 - UK Biobank has provided an assessment summary to each supplier on Friday 19 June 2026 - The standstill period will run until midnight on 30 June 2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-8640d5c4-8f33-4b11-b142-5de918f37abe
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/9e4bf3b6-ff7d-46b4-8af7-d859e1412e68
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£2,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
1 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 Jun 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
2 Jul 2026 - 2 Jul 2032 Over 5 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
UK BIOBANK LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
STOCKPORT
Postcode
SK3 0SA
Post Town
Stockport
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD3 Greater Manchester
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD35 Greater Manchester South East
Delivery Location
TLD North West (England)
Local Authority
Stockport
Electoral Ward
Davenport & Cale Green
Westminster Constituency
Stockport

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

KAINOS SOFTWARE

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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. 

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