Notice Information
Notice Title
Space-Based Time Transfer Service (Space BaTTS) Research & Development
Notice Description
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is conducting a competitive procurement for the delivery of concept studies to explore potential technical and commercial approaches for the provision of a space-based time transfer capability that is independent of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The requirement is part of the Space-Based Time Transfer Service (Space BaTTS) Research & Development Programme to develop, validate, and assess technology concepts that could fulfil an unmet government requirement for GNSS-independent global timing, provide UK overseas territories with backup timing solutions, and provide the UK mainland with an additional layer of timing resilience. This competition focuses on early-stage, pre-commercial research and development activity only. UKSA intends to award multiple contracts under this competition. Each contract will require the supplier to undertake a time-limited study examining a proposed concept. The studies are expected to assess technical feasibility, performance characteristics, delivery considerations, risks and indicative costs, and to provide evidence to help UKSA develop a clearer understanding of the available solution space. The requirements are deliberately outcome-focused and do not prescribe a single technical solution. Suppliers are encouraged to propose innovative and differentiated approaches, which may vary in technical design, maturity and scope. As a result, individual contract values may vary, subject to any stated maximum contract value. Appointment under this competition does not commit UKSA to any subsequent procurement for further development or operational delivery. Any future phases or follow-on activity would be subject to separate consideration, funding approval and, where appropriate, further competition. This notice relates to the intended procurement for a contract which is an exempted contract under s 3(6) and Schedule 2, Part 2 (Subject-matter exempted contracts), paragraph 22 (Research and Development Services) of the Procurement Act 2023 (the 'Act'). Exempted contracts are not a public contract as defined in s3 of the Act and therefore are not required to be procured in accordance with the provisions of the Act that relate to a covered procurement. Full details of the requirement, evaluation and contractual arrangements are set out in the tender documentation.
Planning Information
The UK Space Agency will be holding a Concept Studies for Space-Based Time Transfer Service (Space BaTTS) Webinar for interested suppliers on Friday the 15th of May, between 15:00 and 16:00 BST, to provide an opportunity for early engagement. This will include a presentation about the upcoming tender, some examples of what a solution could look like, and a Q&A session. Please note engagement with this opportunity is for information only and is not required in order to participate in any future competitive procedure. To join the webinar, please email commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk to request joining details. Please note this session will not be recorded. *UPDATE* UKSA hosted a webinar relating to this opportunity on the 15th of May. Copies of the slides from the webinar are available on request by emailing commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-069001
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048506-2026
- Current Stage
- Tender
- All Stages
- Planning, Tender
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK4 - Tender Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Services
- Procurement Method
- Open
- Procurement Method Details
- Open procedure
- Tender Suitability
- SME
- Awardee Scale
- Not specified
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
-
- CPV Codes
79314000 - Feasibility study
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £1,680,000 £1M-£10M
- Lots Value
- £1,680,000 £1M-£10M
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 26 May 20261 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- 21 Sep 20263 months to go
- Future Notice Date
- 26 May 2026Expired
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 1 Jan 2027 - 31 Aug 2027 6-12 months
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Active
- Lots Status
- Active
- Awards Status
- Not Specified
- Contracts Status
- Not Specified
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
- Post Town
- 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
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048506-2026
26th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045615-2026
19th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041513-2026
6th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040336-2026
1st May 2026 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
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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