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Space Regulatory Sandboxes, including the Re-Entry Regulatory Sandbox and the Multi-Mission Licensing Regulatory Sandbox

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 12 releases in its history.

Award

14 Sep 2026 at 13:47

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

28 Aug 2026 at 12:03

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

30 Jun 2026 at 09:38

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

29 Jun 2026 at 16:22

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

28 May 2026 at 15:35

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

28 May 2026 at 15:21

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

28 May 2026 at 15:17

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

19 May 2026 at 08:51

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

15 Apr 2026 at 11:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

14 Apr 2026 at 12:55

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

14 Apr 2026 at 12:53

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

14 Apr 2026 at 12:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology procured research and development consultancy services to develop two space-sector regulatory sandboxes in the UK. Lot 1 covered a Re-entry Regulatory Sandbox, focused on regulatory activity relating to re-entry. Lot 2 covered a Multi-Mission Licensing Regulatory Sandbox, focused on licensing activity for missions involving multiple functions or destinations. Both sandboxes form part of a programme intended to support regulatory activity during the 2026/27 financial year. The work is delivered across the United Kingdom. The requirement was divided into two lots, and suppliers could bid for and be awarded both. Each lot was suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The procurement is complete and both lots have been awarded. The Re-entry Regulatory Sandbox was awarded to Space Professionals Partnership Limited on 28 August 2026 for £327,380 excluding VAT (£392,856 including VAT). The Multi-Mission Licensing Regulatory Sandbox was awarded to Satellite Applications Catapult Limited on the same date for £475,237 excluding VAT (£570,284.40 including VAT). Both contracts run from 14 September 2026 to 31 March 2027 and were signed on 11 September 2026. The buyer used an open procedure. Four bids were received for each lot. Evaluation weighted methodology and delivery plan at 30%, understanding of requirements at 20%, skills, expertise and capacity at 20%, social value at 10% and price at 20%.

This requirement demonstrates demand from the UK Government for specialist space-regulation research, consultancy and sandbox development. A credible competitor would need a strong understanding of re-entry regulation or multi-mission licensing, depending on the relevant requirement, and the ability to turn that understanding into a practical delivery plan. The evaluation placed greatest emphasis on methodology and delivery, so suppliers would need a clear approach to designing, developing and operating regulatory sandbox activity. Evidence of suitably skilled experts, sufficient delivery capacity and an understanding of government requirements would also be important. The opportunity was accessible to SMEs and attracted four bids per lot, including two SME bids, indicating competition from both specialist smaller firms and larger space-sector organisations.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Space Regulatory Sandboxes, including the Re-Entry Regulatory Sandbox and the Multi-Mission Licensing Regulatory Sandbox

Notice Description

The Contracting Authority awards two contracts for the development of regulatory sandboxes. As part of this programme, we are intending to develop two sandboxes focused on regulatory activity within financial year 26/27. Lot 1 will focus on re-entry and lot 2 will focus on multi-mission licensing. For those who are aware of the previously published notice, this was issued as a multi-lot tender. UKSA offered lot 1 as the re-entry sandbox and lot 2 as the multi-mission licencing.

Planning Information

DSIT will be holding a webinar as part of its Governing Space Delivery group on Thursday the 11th of June between 11:00 and 12:00 BST to provide an opportunity for early engagement, including presenting the proposed scope and an opportunity to feedback on this for lot 2, which relates to multi-mission licensing. Please note engagement with this opportunity is for information only and is not required in order to participate in any future competitive procedure. Any future delivery of the sandbox will be subject to competitive procedure, which we anticipate will take place this summer. Dates provided within this notice are indicative only at this stage. To join the webinar, please email commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk to request joining details. Please note this session will not be recorded.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0681e3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086885-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£889,188 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£889,188 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£802,617 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£802,617 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
10 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
31 Jul 2026Expired
Award Date
28 Aug 20262 months ago
Contract Period
14 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2EG
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Space Professionals Partnership Ltd

SATELLITE APPLICATIONS CATAPULT LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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