UKRI-5909 IUK Clean Energy First of a Kind (FOAK) Builder Programme

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

23 Jun 2026 at 09:42

Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), based in Swindon, Wiltshire, is inviting bids for the "UKRI-5909 IUK Clean Energy First of a Kind (FOAK) Builder Programme." This procurement is in the services category, specifically targeting technical assistance services within the climate technology sector across the UK. The process is currently in the tender stage, with the tender period ending on 21 July 2026. The enquiry period will close a week earlier, on 14 July 2026, and the contract is expected to be awarded by 11 September 2026. The procurement method adopted is an open, competitive flexible procedure under the Procurement Regulations 2024, allowing broad participation.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in technical assistance and interested in supporting innovative climate technology projects. With a total maximum budget of £4.5 million (excluding VAT), split across two phases, this programme aims to unlock rapid growth and scaling opportunities for suppliers. SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, as the project aligns with their innovative and flexible service offerings. The contract includes a potential renewal, providing further avenues for sustained business growth.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

UKRI-5909 IUK Clean Energy First of a Kind (FOAK) Builder Programme

Notice Description

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is procuring a Technical Assistance Supplier (TAS) to work with Innovate UK in establishing the First of a Kind (FOAK) Builder Programme. The objective of the the FOAK builder programme is to rapidly accelerate the development and scale-up of innovative climate tech companies in the UK. The opportunity is broken down into two phases with a maximum budget of PS1.1 million for phase 1 and PS3.4 million for phase 2. Ex VAT

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract is broken down to 2 phases. The initial opportunity is a pilot phase and subject to successful completion and business case approval, the opportunity may be extended for a further period.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06bac2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058820-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71356200 - Technical assistance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jun 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
21 Jul 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
13 Sep 2026 - 30 Sep 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)
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
Post Town
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
Not specified

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-06bac2-2026-06-23T10:42:26+01:00",
    "date": "2026-06-23T10:42:26+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06bac2",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PDQJ-7126-JDHG",
            "name": "UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PDQJ-7126-JDHG"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Polaris House",
                "locality": "Swindon, Wiltshire",
                "postalCode": "SN2 1FL",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Corporate Procurement Team",
                "email": "corporateprocurement@ukri.org",
                "telephone": "01793 867000"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.ukri.org/",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PDQJ-7126-JDHG",
        "name": "UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "UKRI-5909",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "UKRI-5909 IUK Clean Energy First of a Kind (FOAK) Builder Programme",
        "description": "UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is procuring a Technical Assistance Supplier (TAS) to work with Innovate UK in establishing the First of a Kind (FOAK) Builder Programme. The objective of the the FOAK builder programme is to rapidly accelerate the development and scale-up of innovative climate tech companies in the UK. The opportunity is broken down into two phases with a maximum budget of PS1.1 million for phase 1 and PS3.4 million for phase 2. Ex VAT",
        "status": "active",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71356200",
                        "description": "Technical assistance services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 5400000,
            "amount": 4500000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
        "procedure": {
            "features": "UKRI will be procuring for a Technical Assistance Supplier under the Procurement Regulations 2024 as a competitive flexible procedure. The proposed approach will follow two stages: Stage One responses shall be evaluated and moderated in full to reach final scores for all Bidders. All Bidders who meet the minimum quality threshold and pass all mandatory pass/fail criteria shall be taken forward to stage two. The minimum quality threshold for this tender shall be 48% of the available 75% attributed to the scored technical and quality questions Stage Two will assess Bidders through a structured presentation and will account for 15% of the total score. The Stage two score shall then be combined with the 85% total maximum score from Stage One to reach each Supplier's final score, and to determine final ranking."
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "To access this opportunity please click here: https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm00000ANPCrMAP&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County= Please note the following steps for accessing this opportunity via the Atamis eSourcing platform: 1. Log in or create an account here: https://ukri2.my.site.com 2. Navigate to the opportunity in the Find an Opportunity section of the site or via the direct access link above. 3. Select Register Interest (you will not be able to view the tender documentation without registering an interest). 4. Go back to the main menu and navigate to the My Proposals and Quotes section of the site. 5. Select the opportunity from the list. Tender Documents for download are found in the Documents tab.",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-07-21T11:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-07-14T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-09-11T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "status": "active",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 5400000,
                    "amount": 4500000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "type": "cost",
                            "name": "Cost",
                            "description": "Cost will be assessed during stage one of the process",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 10,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Technical/Quality",
                            "description": "Technical/Quality will be assessed at stage one of the process",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 75,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "quality",
                            "name": "Presentation",
                            "description": "Presentation will be scored during stage two of the process",
                            "numbers": [
                                {
                                    "number": 15,
                                    "weight": "percentageExact"
                                }
                            ]
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-09-14T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2027-09-30T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2030-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "The contract is broken down to 2 phases. The initial opportunity is a pilot phase and subject to successful completion and business case approval, the opportunity may be extended for a further period."
                }
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest"
            },
            {
                "id": "058820-2026",
                "documentType": "tenderNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK4",
                "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058820-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-06-23T10:42:26+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}