Award

Innovation Skills Framework Critical Friend

UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

14 Nov 2025 at 10:26

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research and Innovation, located in Swindon, undertook a procurement process titled "Innovation Skills Framework Critical Friend" in the services industry category, specifically focusing on research and development services. The contracting authority completed the award stage on 14th November 2025. This was a limited competition procurement under the procurement method category "Below threshold - limited competition." The contract period commenced on 3rd November 2025 and is set to conclude on 31st March 2026, with a total gross value of £23,892. The procurement process was managed by UK Shared Business Services Ltd, also based in Swindon.

This tender offers business growth opportunities by engaging with public authorities, especially for businesses specialising in consulting and research services related to innovation skills frameworks. Companies that act as independent learning partners can leverage this contract to build their portfolio within the public sector. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with a niche in providing critical feedback and advisory services during pilot programmes will find this procurement particularly beneficial, exemplified by the involvement of the Innovation Growth Lab at Nesta, a supplier involved in this contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Innovation Skills Framework Critical Friend

Notice Description

***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded following a limited competition procurement exercise. Innovate UK wishes to appoint a supplier to act as a critical friend and independent learning partner throughout the Innovation Skills Framework (ISF) pilot.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05e11e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073840-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - limited competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£19,910 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Oct 20253 months ago
Contract Period
3 Nov 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 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
UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Additional Buyers

UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LTD

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercial@ukri.org, policy@uksbs.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
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

INNOVATION GROWTH LAB AT NESTA

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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