Award

PS26088 - Consultancy Service Consisting of the Provision of an EM-based Sea Ice Thickness System

UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

17 Mar 2026 at 14:06

Summary of the contracting process

UK Research and Innovation, as the buying organisation, has concluded the procurement process for a consultancy service titled "PS26088 - Consultancy Service Consisting of the Provision of an EM-based Sea Ice Thickness System". This contract falls under the consultative engineering and construction services category and is governed by legislation 2023/54. The procurement, completed between 16th and 20th March 2026, was carried out directly without competition due to technical reasons, specifically awarding The University of Manchester for their unique electromagnetic sea-ice thickness measurement system developed for the UK Antarctic research station at Rothera. Situated in Swindon, the procuring entity collaborated with UK Shared Business Services Ltd to manage the contract.

This tender presents notable opportunities for businesses involved in innovative engineering solutions, especially those with expertise in advanced sensing technologies. As it targets the niche requirement of sea-ice thickness measurement, it offers growth potential for organisations specialising in scientific research equipment. Companies akin to The University of Manchester, especially those with unique technical capabilities and serving large-scale operations or being part of the VCSE network, are well-suited to compete in such specialised government contracts.

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Notice Title

PS26088 - Consultancy Service Consisting of the Provision of an EM-based Sea Ice Thickness System

Notice Description

***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded without competition due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required. Brief Description of Requirement We propose to purchase a novel electromagnetic (EM) sea-ice thickness measurement system developed at the University of Manchester. This unique instrument, not currently available from commercial suppliers, provides a non-destructive method for measuring sea-ice thickness. The system integrates EM sensing technology within a sled-based platform that can be deployed across sea-ice surfaces to obtain continuous measurements. This approach will enable high-resolution observations of sea-ice thickness and spatial variability in the region surrounding the UK Antarctic research station at Rothera.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066c56
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024102-2026
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
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71310000 - Consultative engineering and construction services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£21,040 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
13 Mar 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
16 Mar 2026 - 20 Mar 2026 30 days
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Additional Buyers

UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LTD

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
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

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

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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