Award

UKRI-5769 Delivery of Data Management System through LaunchCan- ICURe FY 26

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

09 Mar 2026 at 16:35

Award

09 Mar 2026 at 16:16

Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) is in the process of awarding a contract to HELIX RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE LIMITED for the delivery of the LaunchCan digital platform, which is integral to the ICURe programme aimed at supporting recruitment, application management, assessment processes, data management, and reporting. The project falls within the software support services industry category, underpinning the programme’s expansion with a dataset exceeding 265,000 data points, relevant to more than 6,000 participants. This direct award process is justified under the Procurement Act 2023. The award notice was published on 9th March 2026, with the contract expected to commence on 1st April 2026 and end on 31st May 2026, based in Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.

This opportunity offers significant potential for business growth by engaging in a project that provides impactful insights through data analysis and reporting, supporting significant UK governmental bodies and strategic partners such as DSIT and HM Treasury. Companies specialising in software package implementation and management, robust data analytics, and large-scale ICT projects would be well-suited for participation in such tenders. While HELIX RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE LIMITED is poised to deliver the service, similar organisations can benefit by recognising the procurement trends and aligning technological expertise to meet similar advanced data management and reporting needs in future procurement processes. This enhances job creation and boosts investment securing capabilities within the digital platform domain.

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Notice Title

UKRI-5769 Delivery of Data Management System through LaunchCan- ICURe FY 26

Notice Description

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is renewing its contract for the continued provision of the LaunchCan digital platform, which supports recruitment, application management, assessment processes, data management, and reporting for the Innovate UK ICURe programme. LaunchCan underpins delivery across the full ICURe programme, managing all applications and assessments. To date, the platform has processed 2,102 applications and 5,517 assessments, with 1,840 users onboarded. User numbers are expected to exceed 2,120 by March 2026, reflecting ongoing programme growth. The services cover the collection, management, maintenance, and ongoing development of the ICURe dataset, which currently contains over 265,000 data points relating to more than 6,000 participants, including active tracking and updating of records for over 370 spinouts. The dataset continues to expand as Delivery Partners run approximately 46 new cohorts per year. LaunchCan provides robust data analysis and reporting, supporting UKRI, DSIT, HM Treasury, funding and strategic partners, Delivery Partners, and Regional Heads of Hub. The platform offers end-to-end visibility of participant progression through the ICURe programme, enabling the tracking of key outcomes such as spinout formation, job creation, and private investment secured.

Procurement Information

This direct award is made pursuant to the Procurement Act 2023. In accordance with Schedule 5, Part 2, Paragraph 6 of the Act, a contract may be awarded without competition where competition is absent for technical reasons and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists, or where a change of supplier would result in incompatibility and give rise to disproportionate technical, financial, or operational difficulties. The contracting authority confirms that this contract satisfies the conditions for a sole-supplier award under those provisions.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0665a1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021050-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

48 - Software package and information systems

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


CPV Codes

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72261000 - Software support services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£220,700 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Mar 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Feb 20261 months ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 May 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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

HELIX RESEARCH AND ENTERPRISE

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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