Award

UKRI-5138 Certification and Modification of USV

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

09 Apr 2026 at 09:51

Award

21 Oct 2025 at 09:07

Award

13 Aug 2025 at 14:39

Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process conducted by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) relates to the certification and modification of an uncrewed surface vessel (USV), under the title "UKRI-5138 Certification and Modification of USV." The process primarily falls within the services industry category under vessel repair services and occurs in the United Kingdom. The procurement has been completed with the contract awarded on 19 February 2026, and the contract period spanning from 20 February 2026 to 31 May 2026. This direct award, justified by intellectual property rights and technical reasons, adheres to the legal framework set by the Procurement Act 2023. The value of the contract is EUR 161,369, and it is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).

This tender, favouring a large supplier such as Exail, presents potential business growth opportunities when similar contracts become available. Understanding intellectual property rights and excelling in niche technical areas can render companies competitive in direct award scenarios. Businesses skilled in maritime technologies and those capable of offering sophisticated vessel repair services can particularly benefit from such opportunities, especially those that can showcase expertise and ownership of relevant proprietary technology. This aligns well with UKRI's focus on leveraging technical expertise and ensuring collaboration with suppliers who have exclusive rights to necessary technologies.

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Notice Title

UKRI-5138 Certification and Modification of USV

Notice Description

This is a direct award due to intellectual property rights in line with schedule 5 of the Procurement Act.

Procurement Information

Competition absent due to technical reasoning. Supplier also owns the IPR to the platforms architecture.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05873d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032225-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

50241100 - Vessel repair services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£161,369 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£161,369 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Aug 20258 months ago
Contract Period
20 Feb 2026 - 31 May 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

EXAIL

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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