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UKRI-6271 Scientific OpenStack Upgrade and Support Renewal

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

24 Aug 2026 at 12:33

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) procured services to upgrade and provide support for its scientific OpenStack environment under the 2026/27 renewal. OpenStack is an open-source cloud computing platform, so the requirement is relevant to suppliers providing specialist cloud infrastructure, platform engineering and software support services. The work covers the continued operation and development of UKRI’s scientific OpenStack capability rather than general IT support. The procurement is for software support services, classified under CPV 72261000. Delivery applies across the United Kingdom. UKRI is the buying organisation and central government research and innovation body, with its address in Swindon, Wiltshire. The requirement was treated as a single lot, covering the full upgrade and support renewal service.

The procurement has been completed and awarded through a direct procedure described as below threshold and without competition. One supplier was selected: OCF Limited. The award is active and the contract is active. The award date and contract signature date were both 1 July 2026. The contract runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Its value is £49,958 excluding VAT, or £59,949.60 including VAT. The arrangement covers one lot for the scientific OpenStack upgrade and support renewal. The recorded outcome reflects a direct, non-competitive below-threshold purchase rather than an open tender. OCF Limited, based in Sheffield, is the appointed supplier for the United Kingdom-wide software support services.

This procurement shows UKRI’s demand for specialist support for a scientific OpenStack cloud platform, combining upgrade work with ongoing operational support. Suppliers best placed for a future requirement of this kind would need demonstrable expertise in OpenStack architecture, deployment, upgrades, troubleshooting and lifecycle management, together with the ability to support research-focused cloud infrastructure across the UK. Credibility would come from relevant delivery experience, suitably skilled platform and infrastructure engineers, strong service continuity arrangements and the capacity to provide responsive technical support as well as planned improvement work. Experience of working with public-sector or research organisations would help a supplier understand operational assurance, security, documentation and stakeholder requirements. The incumbent’s selection indicates that a focused specialist provider can satisfy the requirement at a modest service scale.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-6271 Scientific OpenStack Upgrade and Support Renewal

Notice Description

UKRI-6271 Scientific OpenStack Upgrade and Support Renewal 26/27

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ea6a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080304-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

72261000 - Software support services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£49,958 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Aug 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
1 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

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
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

OCF Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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