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Continued UK Contribution to the MicroCarb Mission - CO2 Retrieval Algorithm Development and Programme Support

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

11 Aug 2026 at 14:18

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

14 Jul 2026 at 17:17

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology is procuring specialist scientific and technical services supporting the UK contribution to the CNES-led MicroCarb satellite mission, which measures atmospheric carbon dioxide. The work covers continued development and assessment of carbon dioxide retrieval algorithms, including prior-information modules, meteorological preprocessing, adaptation of NASA-developed software and use of MicroCarb’s fourth spectral band. It also includes preparation for ingesting and processing CNES data products, assessment of preliminary Level 2 retrieval performance, comparison with CNES products, validation readiness, and post-launch data exploitation. The supplier will provide technical and programme support through the MicroCarb Advisory Group, liaise with UK and French partners including CNES, and produce updates, reporting and a summary report. Delivery is across the United Kingdom.

This procurement is complete and was awarded through a direct award to NPL Management Limited on 10 August 2026. The award value is £578,750 excluding tax, or £694,500 including tax. The contract runs from 27 August 2026 to 31 March 2027, with three optional consecutive 12-month extensions that could extend the arrangement to 31 March 2030. The buyer may exercise these options depending on mission lifespan, changing requirements and funding. The authority selected a direct award because it considers NPL the only supplier able to provide the services for technical reasons, citing mission-embedded knowledge, CNES technical accreditation, established responsibilities and continuity of algorithm validation and quality assurance. There was one completed lot, covering the full requirement.

This requirement suits organisations with deep capability in atmospheric carbon dioxide retrieval, satellite remote sensing and scientific software development. A credible future competitor would need experience adapting and operating retrieval algorithms across multiple spectral bands, integrating prior-information modules and meteorological preprocessing, and processing satellite data products. Technical strength in Level 2 retrieval assessment, validation, calibration, data quality assurance and operational data exploitation would be important. The work also favours suppliers able to manage mission-specific software, produce robust technical evidence and coordinate contributions from scientific and engineering teams. Experience working with national space agencies, international mission partners and formal mission governance would strengthen credibility, as would the ability to provide sustained programme reporting, technical liaison and advisory-group representation.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Continued UK Contribution to the MicroCarb Mission - CO2 Retrieval Algorithm Development and Programme Support

Notice Description

The MicroCarb mission is a Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) led satellite mission designed to deliver high-precision measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). The United Kingdom contributes to the mission through scientific, technical and validation activities coordinated by UK Space Agency (UKSA) and delivered via UK partners. This contract covers the continuation of activities required to support the UK contribution for the remainder of FY 2026-27, with a particular focus on continued CO2 retrieval algorithm development, post-launch data exploitation, and ongoing programme-level technical engagement within the MicroCarb mission framework. The services under this contract will continue the development and application of CO2 retrieval algorithms, preparation for the ingestion and processing of MicroCarb data products provided by CNES, and coordination of UK expertise through continued participation in the MicroCarb Advisory Group (MAG). The work builds upon progress delivered to date in providing mission-specific technical support, including adaptation of NASA-developed retrieval frameworks and preparatory activities supporting the transition of MicroCarb towards an operational data exploitation phase. Activities will place increased emphasis on algorithm robustness, data handling capability, validation readiness and sustained mission engagement. Activities under this contract would include: CO2 Retrieval Algorithm Development and Assessment - Incorporation of prior information modules (ABO2 and GASBAG) and a meteorological pre-processor (GEOS-IT) into the CO2 retrieval pipeline; adaptation of existing NASA-developed software to operate with synthetic MicroCarb data for the standard three spectral bands; Development of capability to ingest and utilise the fourth MicroCarb spectral band (1.27 um) and assessment of its performance; Assessment of preliminary MicroCarb Level 2 retrieval performance, including preparation for comparison with CNES retrieval products. MicroCarb Advisory Group and Programme Support - Representation of UKSA/DSIT within the MicroCarb Advisory Group (MAG); Liaison with UK and French partners, including CNES; Provision of technical and programme-level updates and reporting; and submission of a summary report of activities undertaken.

Procurement Information

The Authority considers that the required services can be supplied only by National Physical Laboratory (NPL) due to technical reasons, and that no reasonable alternative or substitute exists. NPL's role is technically embedded over time within the MicroCarb mission through established responsibilities for CO2 retrieval development, calibration and validation readiness, and formal participation in mission governance structures overseen by CNES as technical authority. The UKSA Office of the Chief Engineer, in consultation with stakeholders in CNES, has considered whether alternative organisations could reasonably deliver this scope through competition; however, due to mission-embedded knowledge, CNES technical accreditation requirements, and the need for continuity of algorithm validation and quality assurance activities, no reasonable alternative supplier could deliver the requirement within acceptable technical or programme risk.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06cb63
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076259-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

34700000 - Aircraft and spacecraft

34712000 - Spacecraft, satellites and launch vehicles

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£578,750 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Aug 20261 months ago
Contract Period
27 Aug 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

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
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
1
Supplier Name

National Physical Laboratory

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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