Award

Space Weather R2O2R - University of Birmingham

MET OFFICE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

24 Oct 2025 at 08:32

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

04 Sep 2025 at 19:30

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

04 Sep 2025 at 19:24

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Met Office, a central government public authority based in Exeter, has completed the procurement process for a contract titled "Space Weather R2O2R - University of Birmingham." This contract, valued at £189,446, is focused on the delivery and development of space weather models and related data services within the UK, specifically within the West Midlands region. The process employed was a direct award to the University of Birmingham due to intellectual property and unique technical proficiency related to the existing model's development under the SWIMMR Programme. The contract's execution commenced on the 19th of September 2025 and is set to conclude by the 31st of March 2026, involving detailed delivery of datasets, software, and training activities scheduled well into March 2026.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for growth, particularly for firms involved in research and experimental development services, as categorised under CPV code 73100000. Companies with expertise in providing technological and software support services could benefit greatly from collaborating with established institutions like the University of Birmingham. The nature of the contract underscores a need for enterprises possessing high-level technical expertise, particularly in the fields of communication systems, data processing, and scientific support operations. Engaging with such a project can enhance a business’s credibility and visibility while also potentially leading to further collaborative opportunities within governmental and academic sectors.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Space Weather R2O2R - University of Birmingham

Notice Description

Ongoing delivery of AENeAS model input datasets (processed GNSS data and other relevant data) generated at UoB, with a 95% availability SLA, covering the full duration of the contract. Provide real-time scintillation dataset to Met Office and software to generate visualisation of this dataset over the UK region. (Oct '25) Delivery of ray-tracing software and visualisation code to generate HF Comms contact maps, centred on Shanwick (UoB delivery Dec '25) Delivery and implementation of AENeAS "health" routines in MO system (Dec '25) and covering the amount of data assimilated/rejected, the health of individual ensemble members and other relevant health metrics. Initial validation of scintillation forecasting method (Feb '26) using GNSS scintillation measurements for a period covering different phases of the solar cycle and submission of research paper highlighting the findings of this study. Integration of latest ODRAM version (ODRAM code and visualisations) into the AENeAS workflow (Mar '26), in collaboration with the University of Lancaster, using near real time riometer measurements provided on the HPC for integration with AENeAS. Customer engagement activity requirements MOSWOC training (Mar '26) Provision of training to MOSWOC covering an overview of the ionosphere-thermosphere system, AENeAS model and its limitations and the products generated by AENeAS Customer engagement focused on low-mid latitudes ionosphere (Mar '26) This activity will require collaboration between UoB and Met Office Markets personnel, to plan and execute a series of discussions with key users of HF beyond line-of-sight communications, satellite communications (SATCOM) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).These will be targeted at three key groups: * Aviation * PNT * Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite tracking and operations A set of key questions and discussion points will be developed and agreed in advance through coordination between UoB and the Met Office Markets team. These will then collaborate to reach out and engage with key organisations, groups or users. Indicatively these are likely to include: * National Air Traffic Services (NATS) * Pilots (civil and military) * Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) * Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) - Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Office * Ordnance Survey * Met Office Technical Services * Space Command and No.1 Space Operations Squadron UK Space Agency * LEO Satellite operators The outcomes will be summarily documented in a report and used to build a baseline understanding of user needs. This will subsequently be used to guide model output being usefully codified, visualised and disseminated to ensure outputs are understandable and actionable across a range of user types and applications. The report will specifically be used to guide further development through insight into: * Requirements for model resolution * Operationally exploitable product format/s * Optimal timeliness and cadence of products * Optimal data format/s * Dissemination methods and user platforms Software and operational support delivery requirements This sets out the general requirements for the work required to accelerate the implementation of the SWIMMR R2O projects on Met Office systems. The scope is to assist the Met Office in the transition of the SWIMMR models towards operational status, as measured by Application Useability Levels (aiming for AUL9). To facilitate this process, the following general software engineering processes and practice should be adhered to: Play a key and proactive role in the maintenance of existing software. In particular, * Monitor the list of open pull requests (PRs) on the GitHub repository containing the model code daily. When new PRs appear (and within a working week), o Respond to any questions raised by MO SSEs. o Accept any requests to review code contributions authored by MO SSEs. o Where appropriate, engage in the online discussions around these. * When you discover issues, contribute (via PR) carefully tested code fixes * Follow the PR process outlined above and documented on the portal. * Participate in knowledge exchange to enable Met Office to become more self-sufficient in model maintenance * Provide technical/scientific 4th line support in code bug resolution [working days support- response/resolution timeline to be agreed] * Work with Met Office (MO) Scientific Software Engineers (SSEs) to measurably increase the robustness of the codes (e.g. through test coverage assessment and defining required tests) by improving testing and logging according to the principles documented on the Met Office R2O portal. * Ensure logging sufficient to diagnose workflow issues * Contribute expertise as part of user research discussions with end users (MOSWOC/industry) in determining the product strategy for utilising the AENeAS data to deliver the most value.

Procurement Information

The deliverables within the contract are associated with a model and code already developed and owned by the partner (supplier) to a specific maturity under the SWIMMR Programme. The academics hold the model code IPR and provide model access to Met Office under Licence (pending renewal on signature of the contract) and therefore are uniquely placed to provide these services to the Met Office. Delivery will 'accelerate' the model's development towards transition to operations within the Met Office Space Weather service as mandated by DSIT. The purpose of the contract is to continue development of the models (which requires the 'deep expertise' of the model developer) and to transfer model and model code knowledge and expertise. In short, there is no other supplier for the work associated with the model.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05948f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068036-2025
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73100000 - Research and experimental development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£157,872 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£157,872 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
18 Sep 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MET OFFICE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement.enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
EXETER
Postcode
EX1 3PB
Post Town
Exeter
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Exeter
Electoral Ward
Pinhoe
Westminster Constituency
Exmouth and Exeter East

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

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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