Award

UKRI-5616 Quantum Technology Access Programme

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

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

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) has awarded a direct contract for the Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP) to Digital Catapult. This initiative, funded by UKRI, falls under the industry category of business services, specifically focusing on law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing, and security. The programme will be carried out at a delivery location within the UKJ14 region, with a contract period commencing on 20th January 2026 and concluding on 19th January 2027. The procurement process was conducted through a direct award method, citing technical reasons and intellectual property rights as the rationale for engaging a single supplier. The award notice was published on 7th January 2026, and the total contract value is reported at £396,000 gross, with services outlined as the main procurement category.

This contract presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in quantum technology and associated sectors. The QTAP aims to facilitate strategic experimentation and learning on real quantum hardware, providing a unique platform for innovation and skills development. Large-scale companies like Digital Catapult, having exclusive technological capabilities and rights, are well-suited for this tender. However, the opportunity to collaborate or supply services to large contractors engaged in the QTAP could benefit medium and small enterprises (SMEs), especially those with expertise in programming, hardware testing, and strategic technological planning.

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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

The procurement is limited to a single supplier due to technical reasons and the need for compatibility with existing systems. Engaging an alternative provider would result in disproportionate technical difficulties and operational risks. Additionally, the supplier holds exclusive rights, including intellectual property protections.

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/001061-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Jan 20261 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
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)
Contact Name
STFCProcurement
Contact Email
stfcprocurement@ukri.org
Contact Phone
+441793442000

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)

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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