Planning

Airlock Software for Research Analysis Platform

UK BIOBANK LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

26 Aug 2025 at 13:06

Planning

23 Apr 2025 at 14:15

Summary of the contracting process

UK Biobank Limited is currently in the planning stage for the procurement of Airlock Software aimed at enhancing its Research Analysis Platform (RAP). This procurement comes under the services category, focusing on custom software development and relates to sub-central government public authorities. The Airlock software will support the secure management of data exports, ensuring confidentiality compliance within the RAP2.0. Engagement sessions to discuss requirements and tender processes are scheduled for 11th and 18th September 2025, allowing interested parties to connect virtually via Microsoft Teams. The contract is expected to run from 31st October 2025 to 30th October 2031, with services spanning various regions within the United Kingdom.

This procurement presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in custom software development, particularly those with experience in data management and confidentiality systems. Organisations skilled in cloud infrastructure and software platforms are well-suited to bid, given the alignment with technological advancements and future requirements outlined by UK Biobank. The initiative is designed to create a Trusted Research Environment, which underscores the need for innovative solutions that address data security challenges, aligning with the principles of the ONS Five Safes Framework. Businesses interested in expanding their footprint in the public sector within the UK will find this tender particularly advantageous.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Airlock Software for Research Analysis Platform

Notice Description

UK Biobank ("UKB") currently hosts a cloud-based health Research Analysis Platform which makes research projects and data accessible to researchers ("RAP"). The current RAP was procured by UKB in 2020 and was developed by DNAnexus, in collaboration with, and cloud infrastructure provided by, Amazon Web Services. UKB intends to initiate a procurement exercise for the development of a new RAP ("RAP2.0") and associated services to take account of advances in technology over the past 5 years and its future requirements. The RAP2.0 is anticipated to be the default way that most researchers will access and analyse UKB's biomedical database and it is anticipated to comprise one or more software platforms or data analysis services that work together to meet the diverse functional needs to the research community. UKB currently intends to undertake separate procurements in relation to (i) the RAP2.0, (ii) cloud infrastructure, and (iii) automated airlock software to control extraction of data held by UKB for research purposes, whilst ensuring the ongoing security and confidentiality of the data ("Airlock"). UKB has established an informatics working group consisting of senior experts who will provide guidance to help develop the requirements for the technology listed at (i) - (iii) above. It is currently envisaged that the first procurement to be undertaken will relate to the cloud infrastructure (in late 2025/early 2026), followed by the procurement of the RAP2.0 in 2026. The procurement of the airlock software may be conducted in parallel to, or follow sequentially, (i) and/or (ii). This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice relates to the development of the Airlock software. Separate Preliminary Market Engagement Notices are being published for RAP2.0 and cloud infrastructure. The Airlock acts as a data management tool to check compliance with confidentiality requirements when data is exported from the RAP2.0. The Airlock may also be required for UKB to achieve accreditation by DHSC/NHS as a Trusted Research Environment for the purpose of continuing to receive and make available linked health record data and is intended to provide additional assurance in addressing the principles set out in the ONS Five Safes Framework.

Planning Information

UKB currently envisages that, in addition to the work of the informatics working group, it may engage with suppliers, researchers and users prior to launch of the Airlock procurement. Further details of any proposed engagement would be set out in a further preliminary market engagement notice including the activities to be undertaken (which may take place in stages and may take the form of one-to-one meetings with suppliers, researchers and/or users and/or requests to complete written questionnaires). Interested organisations should register their interest in this potential opportunity via the following link: tenders@ukbiobank.ac.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05067c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051282-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

72230000 - Custom software 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
26 Aug 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Oct 2025 - 30 Oct 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK BIOBANK LIMITED
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
tenders@ukbiobank.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Stockport
Electoral Ward
Davenport & Cale Green
Westminster Constituency
Stockport

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.

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