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Contracts for Innovation: UK Space Agency Unlocking Space for Defence (USD) and National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) BOREALIS Resident Space Object (RSO) Characterisation Development

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

07 Aug 2026 at 15:40

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, through the UK Space Agency’s Unlocking Space for Defence programme and the National Space Operations Centre, is procuring research and development services for initial proof of concepts in resident space object characterisation. The work should produce solutions that improve the quality of data ingested by the BOREALIS system and strengthen analysis capabilities within the National Space Operations Centre. This is industry-specific software development work, potentially involving software, data-processing and space-domain expertise. Delivery is for a sovereign UK capability. Participation is restricted to UK-registered companies, including UK-registered universities, on national security grounds. The opportunity is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and is being procured as a single lot.

The procurement has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through an accelerated open procedure. Enquiries had to be submitted by 17:00 on 24 August 2026, and applications had to be submitted electronically through the Jaggaer eSourcing Portal by 15:00 on 4 September 2026, in English. The anticipated award decision date is 21 September 2026. The contract period is 21 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. Between three and five contracts are expected, each valued at £120,000 to £250,000 inclusive of VAT. The total estimated value is £625,000 excluding VAT (£750,000 including VAT). Proposals are evaluated on the proposed idea or technology (40%), project management (30%), value for money (20%) and benefit to the UK (10%).

This opportunity suits UK-registered technology businesses, research organisations and universities able to develop and demonstrate proof-of-concept solutions for resident space object characterisation or related data-quality problems. Strong applicants will bring relevant software development, data ingestion, space-domain analysis or similar technical capability, with evidence that their proposed technology can improve information used by BOREALIS and support enhanced characterisation analysis. Applicants need a credible delivery team, including any partners or subcontractors, with the skills, capabilities and experience required for the intended benefits. They must also provide a practical project plan, milestones, resources, risk controls and financial justification. The work is aimed at SMEs, but suppliers must be able to manage a publicly funded research and development project and demonstrate measurable benefits for the UK economy, supply chain and public.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Contracts for Innovation: UK Space Agency Unlocking Space for Defence (USD) and National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) BOREALIS Resident Space Object (RSO) Characterisation Development

Notice Description

UK Space Agency's Unlocking Space for Defence (USD) and the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) are offering funding to eligible organisations. It is anticipated that between three and five contracts will be awarded, each valued between PS120,000 and PS250,000 (inclusive of VAT), to eligible organisations to apply, to research and develop initial proof of concepts for characterisation of resident space objects and similar solutions that directly improve the quality of data being ingested within the BOREALIS system, contributing to enhanced characterisation analysis capabilities within NSpOC. This funding is from the UK Space Agency only and applicants should note this competition is wholly run and administered by the UK Space Agency. Applicants should note that as BOREALIS is a sovereign UK capability and this work is to develop solutions that eventually can be deployed into use, this competition is restricted to UK registered companies on grounds of national security. For the avoidance of doubt, this can include UK-registered universities. Full details are provided in the attached Competition Brief. 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06df60
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075408-2026
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
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72212100 - Industry specific software development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£625,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£625,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
4 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
21 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 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
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

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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