Planning

Cloud Infrastructure

UK BIOBANK LIMITED

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

10 Dec 2025 at 17:46

Planning

23 Apr 2025 at 14:22

Summary of the contracting process

UK Biobank Limited, a sub-central government public authority based in Stockport, UK, is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process focusing on the development of cloud infrastructure as part of its new Research Analysis Platform (RAP2.0). This project aims to advance the infrastructure supporting their cloud-based health research database, considering technological advances and future requirements. The procurement, set to commence in the second half of 2026, will cover cloud infrastructure to support the RAP2.0 platform, with the preliminary market engagement scheduled for March 2026. This initiative falls under the services category, with related CPV codes including computer platforms, data storage services, and computer-related services, and will apply across multiple UK regions including UKC, UKD, UKE, and more.

This procurement process represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in cloud computing, data storage, and software development. The project's focus on developing a secure, scalable, and innovative platform will require expertise in cutting-edge technology solutions, positioning it as a lucrative opportunity for businesses within the IT and cloud services industries. Companies with a track record in delivering complex cloud-based infrastructures or those looking to expand their portfolio in the biomedical data management sector could benefit greatly. Engaging in this tender not only supports growth through potential long-term contracts but also establishes connections within the public sector, potentially leading to further opportunities. Businesses interested in participating in the tender are encouraged to engage in the preliminary market meetings and register their interest through the designated contact point.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Cloud Infrastructure

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. As part of a series of changes to implement UKB's strategy to create a more secure data environment, 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 which will host data on RAP2.0, and (iii) the development of an Output Checking System to control the extraction of data held by UKB for research purposes, whilst ensuring the ongoing security and confidentiality of the data. 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 OCS (in the first half of 2026), followed by a procurement for cloud infrastructure (in the second half of 2026), followed by the procurement of the RAP2.0 in 2027. It is necessary for the procurement exercise for cloud infrastructure services to host the UKB data under the new RAP2.0 to be completed before preliminary market engagement can take place with suppliers and users regarding the requirements and strategic approach to the new RAP2.0. The identity of the cloud services infrastructure will inform the approach to the RAP2.0 procurement to ensure the compatibility of the technology underlying the platform or platforms. The current contract for the enablement of the RAP with DNAnexus expires in June 2026. It is intended that this contract will be amended in January 2026 to extend the services through to June 2028. This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice relates to the proposed procurement of cloud infrastructure as the enabling foundation of the platform ecosystem for RAP2.0. Separate Preliminary Market Engagement Notices were published for RAP2.0 and OCS in April 2025 and are being updated. It is envisaged that preliminary market engagement with interested cloud services suppliers will take place in 2026 to understand how storage capability and compute optimisation can enhance the functionality and security of UK Biobank's data. Further updates regarding preliminary market engagement activities will be included in a future update to this notice, as appropriate.

Planning Information

UKB currently envisages that, in addition to the work of the informatics working group, it may engage with suppliers prior to launch of the cloud infrastructure 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 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-05067e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/081715-2025
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

30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages

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


CPV Codes

30211300 - Computer platforms

72317000 - Data storage services

72500000 - Computer-related services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Dec 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
9 Mar 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2027 - 30 Jun 2033 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

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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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