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 11 releases in its history.

Award

28 Aug 2026 at 12:03

TenderUpdate

30 Jun 2026 at 09:38

Tender

29 Jun 2026 at 16:22

PlanningUpdate

28 May 2026 at 15:35

PlanningUpdate

28 May 2026 at 15:21

Planning

28 May 2026 at 15:17

PlanningUpdate

19 May 2026 at 08:51

PlanningUpdate

15 Apr 2026 at 11:39

PlanningUpdate

14 Apr 2026 at 12:55

PlanningUpdate

14 Apr 2026 at 12:53

Planning

14 Apr 2026 at 12:39

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology commissioned two research and development consultancy services to support space regulation. The programme comprises a Re-entry Regulatory Sandbox, focused on re-entry regulatory activity, and a Multi-Mission Licensing Regulatory Sandbox, focused on licensing for missions involving multiple activities. The work is intended to develop regulatory sandboxes for the UK space sector. Both lots cover delivery across the United Kingdom. The buyer is a central government department. The requirement is therefore relevant to organisations providing space-sector regulatory, research, policy, assurance or specialist consultancy services, particularly those able to design and operate practical sandboxes rather than supply physical goods or construction works.

The procurement is complete and both lots were awarded on 28 August 2026 following an open procedure. Lot 1, Re-entry Regulatory Sandbox, was awarded to Space Professionals Partnership Limited for £327,380 excluding VAT (£392,856 including VAT). Lot 2, Multi-Mission Licencing Regulatory Sandbox, was awarded to Satellite Applications Catapult Limited for £475,237 excluding VAT (£570,284.40 including VAT). Each contract is scheduled to run from 14 September 2026 to 31 March 2027, with signature scheduled by 11 September 2026. Four bids were received for each lot, including two final-stage bids from SMEs. Suppliers could bid for and win both lots. 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 award indicates demand from the department for specialist space-regulation consultancy delivered through defined sandbox programmes. A credible competitor would need to show a strong understanding of the regulatory problem, relevant skills and expertise, sufficient delivery capacity, and a clear methodology and delivery plan. Experience translating complex space-sector or licensing issues into workable regulatory approaches would be directly relevant. The requirement also shows that social value formed part of the evaluation, alongside technical quality and price, so suppliers should be able to evidence wider benefits as well as delivery capability. Both lots were suitable for SMEs, and the successful suppliers demonstrate that the market includes both an SME partnership and a larger specialist space organisation.

How relevant is this notice?

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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0681e3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082133-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
10 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
31 Jul 2026Expired
Award Date
28 Aug 20261 weeks 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
Not Specified

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)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...