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UKRI-5671-Evaluation Materials Innovation Programme

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

30 Jul 2026 at 20:49

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

12 May 2026 at 12:35

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) commissioned research consultancy services to evaluate the Materials Innovation Programme. The programme is part of the National Materials Innovation Programme, which aims to accelerate the translation of critical materials innovations into advanced manufacturing, energy, digital technologies, defence and life sciences applications. Its activities include building networks across stakeholders, improving access to infrastructure, supporting commercialisation through targeted interventions, digital tools and verification services, and addressing market gaps in strategic materials. The work is delivered across the United Kingdom. UKRI is the central government research funding organisation responsible for the procurement, and the requirement is classified as research consultancy services. It concerns one complete requirement and was suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises to deliver.

The procurement has been awarded following a completed open procedure. Five bids reached the final stage. Evaluation weighted quality at 80% and price at 20%. The estimated value was £550,000 excluding VAT, or £660,000 including VAT. UKRI awarded the contract to Technopolis for £546,455 excluding VAT, or £655,848 including VAT. The award date was 30 July 2026. The tender’s planned contract period was 14 July 2026 to 31 March 2033, while the awarded contract period runs from 11 August 2026 to 10 August 2033. The award is active, with contract signature scheduled for 11 August 2026. The tender closing deadline was 9 June 2026 at 11:00, and the evaluation and award period ended on 13 July 2026.

This award indicates demand for a substantial, long-term evaluation and research consultancy capability focused on materials innovation and its route into commercial and strategic applications. A credible future competitor would need to understand advanced materials and the sectors identified by UKRI, including advanced manufacturing, energy, digital technologies, defence and life sciences. Relevant capability would include designing and delivering programme evaluations, assessing commercialisation barriers, analysing networks and infrastructure access, and evaluating targeted interventions, digital tools and verification services. Suppliers should be able to produce robust evidence for a national programme addressing strategic materials, economic opportunities and UK security risks. The strong quality weighting shows that methodological strength, subject expertise and the ability to demonstrate credible outcomes are more important than price alone.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5671-Evaluation Materials Innovation Programme

Notice Description

For the spending review period (FY 26/27 to FY 29/30) PS66 million has been allocated to the DSIT-led National Materials Innovation programme (hereafter referred to as NMIP or the Programme). UKRI is delivering PS59m of the overall programme through the UKRI Materials Innovation Programme (hereafter referred to as UKRI MIP), with DSIT directly delivering the remaining PS7m. The Programme aims to tackle fragmentation across disciplines and sectors, accelerating the domestic translation of critical material innovations into applications which are vital for the future of Advanced Manufacturing, while also underscoring Energy, Digital Technologies, Defence and Life Sciences Industries. Pioneering a national approach to the sector, the programme will establish networks to bring together stakeholders, streamline infrastructure access, and unlock maximal value from existing investments. The programme will tackle materials-specific commercialisation challenges through new initiatives such as targeted programmes of interventions, digital tools, and verification services. Additional activities will address market gaps in strategic materials, strengthening the UK's sovereign capabilities to mitigate security risks and capitalise on economic opportunities. Without this focus, key innovations risk stalling before reaching the application areas that underpin the UK's national priorities, drive technological progress, and grow the economy. The programme is expected to deliver benefits across UK priorities with Advanced Materials highlighted in the Industrial Strategy1 as one of six frontier industries and materials underpinning other technological advances such as metamaterials for 6G communication or enhanced data centre efficiency.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06968f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/072434-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73210000 - Research consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£550,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£550,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
£546,455 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
11 Aug 2026 - 10 Aug 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
TLK14 Swindon
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

TECHNOPOLIS LIMITED

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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