Award

Space Weather R2O2R - University of Surrey

MET OFFICE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

01 Oct 2025 at 11:03

Award

11 Sep 2025 at 09:11

Award

11 Sep 2025 at 09:00

Summary of the contracting process

The Met Office has initiated a direct award procurement process for the "Space Weather R2O2R - University of Surrey" project, under the UK central government's public authority classification. The procurement process concluded with the award of the contract to the University of Surrey for delivering research and experimental development services. Located in Exeter, Devon, the Met Office has engaged the University of Surrey to provide expertise and further model development essential for their Space Weather service. Effective from 1st October 2025 to 31st March 2026, this contract was awarded based on technical reasons and proprietary rights, owing to the University’s unique capability in this specialised domain. The procurement falls under the services category with a gross value of £189,600.

This tender opens significant opportunities for businesses involved in advanced research and software development within the aerospace and informatics sectors. Firms that specialise in software engineering, particularly those adept in research and experimental development, would find fitting opportunities in projects similar to this, especially focusing on enhancing technological and operational capabilities of weather prediction models. Organisations with specialised knowledge and exclusive intellectual property rights in relevant domains are often preferred for such direct award contracts, highlighting the importance of maintaining innovative and proprietary solutions within the industry.

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Notice Title

Space Weather R2O2R - University of Surrey

Notice Description

* Finalise modifications of MAIRE+ code to use NM24/Cosmos data as the input neutron monitor source(s). * Finalise upgrade to IGRF 14th generation, by 30/09/2025 * Collaborate with MO scientist on initial validation of MAIRE+ against SAIRA data from aviation campaign, including co-development of validation code for MAIRE+ using SAIRA data from radiosonde launches and from SAIRA aviation instruments. * work with MO on roadmap to measure model performance against observations by 31/10/2025

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 this model as the Met Office requires the code and expertise solely located at Surrey.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-059845
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061273-2025
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
£158,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£158,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
1 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Sep 20255 months ago
Contract Period
30 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

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

UNIVERSITY OF SURREY

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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