Award

MicroCarb - Edinburgh Innovations Ltd

UK SPACE AGENCY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

27 Mar 2026 at 21:21

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

27 Mar 2026 at 21:15

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Space Agency, headquartered in Didcot, United Kingdom, has awarded a contract titled "MicroCarb - Edinburgh Innovations Ltd" to Edinburgh Innovations Ltd, based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. This procurement is in the industry category of engineering services and falls under the remit of public authority - central government. The procurement stage is at the Award, with the contract period set to start on 10th April 2026, concluding on 31st March 2027, with potential annual renewals extending up to 31st March 2030. The decision to directly award this contract was influenced by the unique expertise of Edinburgh Innovations Ltd, particularly in atmospheric transport modelling and data assimilation, crucial for the exploitation phase of the MicroCarb mission. The procurement method utilised was a direct award, justified by the specialised technical reasons and the existing collaborative framework with international partners such as CNES.

This tender creates opportunities for growth particularly for businesses within the engineering services sector, specialising in atmospheric science and satellite data assimilation. Edinburgh Innovations Ltd is leading activities that include the integration and validation of atmospheric data and the development of capability frameworks, engaging closely with international stakeholders. Such enterprises able to offer high-level scientific and technical expertise and collaboration are particularly well-suited for involvement in similar projects. With ongoing opportunities throughout the delivery period, businesses looking to enhance their experience in international space missions or develop their expertise in atmospheric data and CO₂ flux modelling could find this contract to be a strategic target for expansion. This tender underscores the value of technical proficiency and collaborative partnerships, inviting businesses with similar profiles to strengthen their presence in the science and innovation domain.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

MicroCarb - Edinburgh Innovations Ltd

Notice Description

The contract supports delivery of the MicroCarb exploitation phase through a structured programme of work packages covering validation, flux estimation, joint modelling, and ongoing project management. Activities include the configuration and application of atmospheric transport models (e.g. GEOS-Chem), integration and assimilation of satellite and ground-based observations, early ingestion and validation of MicroCarb data, and development of multi-satellite consistency assessments. The work also includes characterisation of CO2 fluxes and uncertainties through inverse modelling approaches, alongside development of joint CO2-SIF inversion capability and supporting analytical frameworks. Continuous project management, coordination with UK and international partners (including CNES), and representation in relevant programme forums are maintained throughout the delivery period

Procurement Information

University of Edinburgh, due to their technical expertise and as a member of the Mission Advisory Group (MAG) for the MicroCarb mission, will continue to support the UK contribution to MicroCarb, carrying out activities through a structured programme of work packages covering validation, flux estimation, joint modelling, and ongoing project management. This work is overseen by CNES, who are the technical authority for the MicroCarb mission. The UKSA's Office for Chief Engineer, following consultation with CNES, advised in December 2025 that a Direct Award is the appropriate course of action: 'During the upcoming exploitation phase, these activities continue in order to exploit scientific data and contribute to ground algorithms within the science ground segment. Considering that this is an international collaboration, and that science exploitation strictly requires part of this work to be provided in order to complete the data processing pipeline (some of them are explicitly mentioned in the Implementation Arrangement as UKSA contribution), and given that the three organisations have distinctive expertise in the relevant application fields (i.e. SIF, CO2 flux mapping, optical ground calibration), from both a technical and programmatic perspective it is advised that the three existing organisations continue to support the mission during the exploitation phase. The involvement of new stakeholders, or the hand-over of ongoing activities to new organisations, would require a considerable effort in terms of knowledge transfer and an in-depth assessment of whether the required expertise could be fully covered. This is not feasible at this stage'. University of Edinburgh's activities include the configuration and application of atmospheric transport models (e.g. GEOS-Chem), integration and assimilation of satellite and ground-based observations, early ingestion and validation of MicroCarb data, and development of multi-satellite consistency assessments. The work also includes characterisation of CO2 fluxes and uncertainties through inverse modelling approaches, alongside development of joint CO2-SIF inversion capability and supporting analytical frameworks. Continuous project management, coordination with UK and international partners (including CNES), and representation in relevant programme forums are maintained throughout the delivery period. These activities form part of the ongoing UK contribution to the MicroCarb mission and are a continuation of the work undertaken by University of Edinburgh under the existing MoU.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067729
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028784-2026
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
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71300000 - Engineering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,269,993 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
27 Mar 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
9 Apr 2026 - 31 Mar 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 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
Post Town
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
1
Supplier Name

EDINBURGH INNOVATIONS

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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