Award

UKRI-5616 Quantum Technology Access Programme

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

04 Mar 2026 at 15:54

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

07 Jan 2026 at 13:03

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

07 Jan 2026 at 12:57

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the "UKRI-5616 Quantum Technology Access Programme" was conducted by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), headquartered at Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. This tender falls under the industry category of business services, particularly law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing, and security, and is located in the United Kingdom. The procurement was awarded to DIGITAL CATAPULT and is currently in the award and contract stage, with the contract active from 20 January 2026 to 19 January 2027. This direct award was granted due to technical and intellectual property considerations, with a total contract value of £330,000 (gross amount £396,000), adhering to UK legislation 2023/54.

The Quantum Technology Access Programme offers substantial growth opportunities for businesses in the tech industry, specifically those specialising in quantum computing and associated services. Companies that can provide expertise in programming quantum computers, or those looking to explore strategic use cases through real quantum hardware, may find alignment with this programme. Large-scale enterprises, such as DIGITAL CATAPULT, have already seized this opportunity, suggesting that businesses with technical capabilities and single-source exclusivity may thrive in similar ventures. The programme offers a platform for enhanced innovation and training, fostering strategic partnerships and increasing market presence in cutting-edge quantum technology.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5616 Quantum Technology Access Programme

Notice Description

The NQCC intends to sponsor Digital Catapult's Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP) which they have successfully developed and run for two years running. The QTAP is a structured training and innovation programme that allows participating organisations to learn about how to program quantum computers, and experiment with use cases that are of strategic interest to them through testing solutions on real quantum hardware. The Digital Catapult has developed and run this programme in conjunction with technology from Orca Computing, a UK-headquartered company.

Procurement Information

Awarded in line with single source direct award, competition is absent for technical reasons.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0600f7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019628-2026
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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£330,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£330,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Jan 20263 months ago
Contract Period
20 Jan 2026 - 19 Jan 2027 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
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

DIGITAL CATAPULT

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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