Award

Mission Architecture refinement study

UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH HIGHER EDUCATION CORPORATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

31 Mar 2026 at 08:22

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process was managed by the University of Portsmouth Higher Education Corporation for the 'Mission Architecture refinement study' project within the space industry category. The location for this contract is Portsmouth, United Kingdom, in the UKJ31 region, with the contracting stage being at the 'Award' phase. The contract involves specialist spacecraft platform engineering services essential for the continued development of the CosmoCube space mission. The study started on 2nd March 2026 and concluded on 31st March 2026, with the procurement conducted through a direct method below the threshold, meaning it was awarded without competition, and overseen under the legal basis 2023/54 as specified by UKPGA.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in spacecraft platform engineering and system-level design services. Companies experienced in trade-off studies, interface definition finalisation, and spacecraft subsystem refinement would find this tender beneficial for growth. Large businesses with expertise in aircraft and spacecraft, laboratory and optical equipment, and research and development design, such as Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, the awarded supplier, would be well-suited to compete for similar upcoming opportunities. The collaboration with a public authority like the University of Portsmouth offers prominent exposure and potential advancements in the space technology sector, fostering business expansion and innovation.

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Notice Title

Mission Architecture refinement study

Notice Description

The University of Portsmouth has procured a mission refinement study to support the continued development of the CosmoCube space mission. This requirement comprises specialist spacecraft platform engineering and system level design services including detailed mission trade off studies, finalisation of platform-payload interface definitions and refinement of key spacecraft subsystems. The work builds directly on prior UK Space Agency funded design phases and is essential to progress the mission to its next stage of development.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06788a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029413-2026
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

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

34700000 - Aircraft and spacecraft

38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

73300000 - Design and execution of research and development

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£41,666 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Mar 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
2 Mar 20261 months ago
Contract Period
2 Mar 2026 - 31 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
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH HIGHER EDUCATION CORPORATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
PORTSMOUTH
Postcode
PO1 2UP
Post Town
Portsmouth
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ31 Portsmouth
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Portsmouth
Electoral Ward
St Thomas
Westminster Constituency
Portsmouth South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SURREY SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY

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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