Award

Evaluation of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts HQ Retention

DSIT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

09 Dec 2025 at 11:36

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has successfully completed the award stage of the procurement process for an evaluation of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts HQ retention. This tender falls under the industry category of research and development services and related consultancy services, with the contract taking place at the University of Reading's Whiteknights Campus. The procurement was structured as a selective call-off from the Crown Commercial Services Research & Insights Dynamic Purchasing System, and the process culminated in an award to SQW Limited on 27th October 2025. The contract, valued at £599,757 including VAT, is set to span from 24th November 2025 to 24th November 2032.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in research and evaluation services, particularly those with expertise in economics, decarbonisation, and higher education amongst other specified categories. SMEs and VCSEs are welcomed to participate in similar procurement processes managed under the DSIT and related frameworks. The focus on net-zero and innovation creates a robust avenue for businesses aiming to advance their offerings in environmental and economic consultancy. Companies that can demonstrate their ability to deliver comprehensive evaluations and insights will find this contract an excellent template for similar future opportunities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Evaluation of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts HQ Retention

Notice Description

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is commissioning an independent evaluation of the construction of a new net-zero headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) at the University of Reading's Whiteknights Campus. The maximum budget for the evaluation is PS630,000 including VAT. We are seeking to commission an experienced external supplier with relevant expertise. We are establishing a contract for a single supplier, although a supplier may choose to subcontract parts of its delivery. If you choose to bid with subcontractors to deliver the requirement, you must be clear in your bid about who they are and to what extent they will provide the service (see section 6 for more information on subcontractors). This specification proposes a high-level approach to delivering this evaluation, but we encourage bidders to suggest adaptations if they feel they would better deliver the requirements. These should be fully explained and justified. We anticipate that the contract will cover a period from December 2025 until the end of 2032 and will be structured into three main phases: - Baseline phase - Interim phase - Full evaluation phase The contract is being offered under the Crown Commercial Services Research & Insights Dynamic Purchasing System (RM6126) and the terms associated with that DPS will apply. On 11July 2025 the Department applied a filter of categories on the Research & Insights Dynamic Purchasing System's marketplace was undertaken. The categories selected were economics (appraisal and behavioural economics), higher education, workplace training/skills development, employment, decarbonisation, emissions and net zero, financial analysis (incl. cost-benefit analysis, return on investment analysis), impact assessment, impact evaluation, theory-based impact evaluation (incl. theories of change (ToC) and logic modelling), value-for-money evaluation, and stakeholder research.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-979af93a-ec09-491c-913e-21aca73d4537
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2fe681f9-9dbd-4169-92f5-b50566f2dd45
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
£599,757 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£599,757 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
8 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
24 Nov 2025 - 24 Nov 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
DSIT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2EG
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
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SQW

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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