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Contracts for Innovation: NSpOC BOREALIS Algorithm Development

UK Space Agency

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

25 Mar 2026 at 08:48

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

16 Jan 2026 at 10:51

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

28 Nov 2025 at 11:25

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Space Agency is conducting a procurement process titled "Contracts for Innovation: NSpOC BOREALIS Algorithm Development" aimed at developing algorithms to enhance data processing within the BOREALIS system. This initiative is targeted at eligible UK-registered companies and universities, with a funding pool of up to £100,000 excluding VAT. The procurement falls under the industry category of research and development services, specifically focusing on software development solutions. The process has already reached the award stage, with multiple contracts awarded for completion by 31st March 2026. The open procedure was accelerated due to urgent requirements, with key submissions closing on 12th December 2025 and final awards set for 10th January 2026.

This tender opens substantial opportunities for firms engaged in industry-specific software development services. Small and medium enterprises, as well as large organisations with expertise in algorithm development and data processing, are particularly suited to leverage these contracts to enhance their portfolio and gain recognition within the UK space sector. Successful companies like UCL Consultants Limited, 4Colors Ltd., and Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine have already secured positions, indicating a competitive but rewarding market for innovation and research services. Businesses focusing on innovative solutions that offer significant benefits to the UK economy, supply chain, and public, and can demonstrate value for money, are strongly encouraged to engage in similar future opportunities provided by the UK Space Agency.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Contracts for Innovation: NSpOC BOREALIS Algorithm Development

Notice Description

Eligible organisations can apply for up to PS100,000, excluding VAT, to research and develop initial proof of concepts for algorithms and similar solutions that directly improve the quality of data processing being undertaken within the BOREALIS system, contributing to enhanced analysis capabilities within NSpOC. UKSA is likely to award multiple Contracts that meet its requirements within this competition, and further competitions may be opened subsequently to those who are successful within this competition for further development work on identified solutions. This funding is from the UK Space Agency only and applicants should note this competition is wholly run and administered by the UK Space Agency. Applicants should note that as BOREALIS is a sovereign UK capability and this work is to develop solutions that eventually can be deployed into use, this competition is restricted to UK registered companies on grounds of national security. For the avoidance of doubt, this can include UK-registered universities. Full details are provided in the attached Competition Brief. This notice relates to the intended procurement for a contract which is an exempted contract under s 3(6) and Schedule 2, Part 2 (Subject-matter exempted contracts), paragraph 22 (Research and Development Services) of the Procurement Act 2023 (the 'Act'). Exempted contracts are not a public contract as defined in s3 of the Act and therefore are not required to be procured in accordance with the provisions of the Act that relate to a covered procurement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05eae9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027107-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72212100 - Industry specific software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£412,794 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£412,794 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Mar 20265 months ago
Submission Deadline
22 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Jan 20267 months ago
Contract Period
19 Jan 2026 - 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 Space Agency
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DIDCOT
Postcode
OX11 0DF
Postcode Area
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Vale of White Horse
Electoral Ward
Hendreds
Westminster Constituency
Didcot and Wantage

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
8
Supplier Names

4COLORS LTD

AERIS-UK LIMITED

Fira Software Ltd

GMV NSL LIMITED

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE

ThinkTank Maths Limited

UCL CONSULTANTS LIMITED

University of Birmingham

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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