Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

UKRI-5795 Optics Framework

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

14 Aug 2026 at 10:03

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

22 May 2026 at 13:22

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is considering a multi-supplier framework for a range of optical components and assemblies. The requirement is for goods used in laboratory, optical and precision equipment, excluding glasses. It is intended to bring together suppliers able to provide different types of optical products and assemblies under one framework arrangement. Delivery is expected across the United Kingdom. The procurement is being developed by UKRI, a central government public authority, for use in its research and innovation activities. Businesses supplying optical components, precision equipment or related assemblies may therefore be relevant, particularly where they can support varied requirements from a public research organisation and potentially serve more than one UK location.

This procurement is at the planning stage: UKRI has announced its intention to explore an optics framework and is conducting pre-market engagement, rather than inviting tenders. The expected procedure is a multi-supplier framework agreement, with the contract currently planned to run from 1 December 2026 to 1 December 2030. The estimated value is £9,000,000 excluding VAT, or £10,800,000 including VAT, and the procurement is above the relevant threshold. UKRI expects the next notice to be published by 28 September 2026. It has scheduled market engagement, with interested businesses expected to register by 21 September 2026 so that UKRI can issue a questionnaire. Feedback will inform the framework’s development and procurement strategy.

The proposed arrangement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so smaller specialist manufacturers, distributors and integrators may be well placed to prepare. It is likely to suit businesses with established capability in optical components, laboratory optics, precision equipment or the assembly of optical systems. Suppliers that can offer a range of products, maintain consistent technical quality and support differing requirements across research activities should monitor the procurement as it develops. The multi-supplier structure may be relevant to businesses that want to supply through a framework rather than pursue one standalone contract. At this stage, the most useful preparation is to explain your product range, technical capability, manufacturing or supply capacity and experience supporting research or precision-engineering customers.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5795 Optics Framework

Notice Description

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is undertaking pre market engagement to inform the potential development of a multi supplier framework agreement covering a range of optical components and assemblies.

Planning Information

To register your interest in this opportunity, please email STFCprocurement@ukri.org quoting UKRI-5795 - Pre-Market Engagement and provide the following information: Name Company Name Contact Email Address Once your interest has been registered, UKRI will issue a market engagement questionnaire for completion. The feedback received will help inform the development and strategy of the proposed Optics Framework.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06a12d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/077527-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£9,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
28 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 1 Dec 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
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
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC, TLM75 City of Edinburgh
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

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...