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UKRI-6071 Underground Gas Network & Associated Services

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Aug 2026 at 08:50

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation, through the UKRI-STFC estate, is preparing to procure comprehensive maintenance of its private gas distribution network at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire. The work covers planned and preventative maintenance of the underground gas network and associated services, helping to maintain the safe, reliable flow of gas across the laboratory site. The supplier will also need to provide suitable records and evidence to support external audits and demonstrate compliance, safety and operational performance. This is primarily gas network works, with related gas distribution services. The requirement is focused on a specialist private network serving a research laboratory rather than general domestic or commercial gas supply.

The procurement is at the planning stage and the buyer has stated an intention to use an open tender procedure. The anticipated contract is expected to run from 7 December 2026 to 7 December 2029, with a possible extension to 7 December 2030. Its estimated value is £1,690,000 excluding VAT, or £2,028,000 including VAT. The requirement is above the applicable threshold and is planned as a single lot, identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. UKRI expects to publish the next notice on 18 November 2026. A virtual market engagement event is planned for 25 September 2026 at 09:30 BST; suppliers wishing to attend were asked to register by 22 September 2026 using reference UKRI-6071.

This will suit specialist gas network maintenance providers able to manage a private distribution network in a safety-critical research-site environment. The buyer is specifically seeking organisations registered under the Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS), with the capacity, capability, skills and competencies to deliver comprehensive planned and preventative maintenance. Strong candidates will be able to maintain underground gas infrastructure, protect continuity and reliability of supply, and operate robust safety and compliance processes. They will also need to produce accurate maintenance records and auditable evidence covering compliance, safety and operational performance. The planned single-lot structure and stated SME suitability may support established specialist contractors, including businesses with relevant technical teams and the capacity to deliver a multi-year service.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-6071 Underground Gas Network & Associated Services

Notice Description

UKRI-STFC is seeking to engage with specialist gas network providers that are registered under the Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS) and have the capacity, capability, skills and competencies required to deliver a comprehensive gas network maintenance service. The requirement relates to the planned and preventative maintenance of UKRI-STFC's private gas distribution network at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX ensuring the safe and reliable flow of gas across the network and the provision of suitable records and evidence to support external audits, demonstrating compliance, safety and operational performance.

Planning Information

UKRI-STFC will be holding a virtual Market Engagement Event on Friday 25 September at 09:30 BST, providing an overview of the requirement. There will be an opportunity for suppliers to ask questions. If you are interested in attending, please email the below details to STFCprocurement@ukri.org, quoting the UKRI reference number (UKRI-6071) by Tuesday 22 September 2026. Company name: Attendee name: Email address:

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e92d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079707-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

65 - Public utilities

CPV Codes

45231221 - Gas supply mains construction work

65200000 - Gas distribution and related services

65210000 - Gas distribution

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,690,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Aug 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Nov 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Dec 2026 - 7 Dec 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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
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
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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