Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

UK2 Notice Template

Department for Science, Innovation & Technology

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

15 Sep 2026 at 15:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology is planning research services on advanced connectivity and future networks in the United Kingdom. The proposed work covers two studies: an Advanced Connectivity Technologies workforce and skills study, and a Connectivity Sector Adoption and Future Networks study. The first would analyse workforce demand, roles, qualifications, education and training routes, skills gaps and five-year workforce scenarios. The second would examine UK and international evidence on adoption, implementation, benefits, barriers, funding, regulation, governance, case studies and emerging technologies including 6G. Expected outputs include analytical reports, datasets, models, stakeholder findings, policy recommendations, presentations and accessible publication-ready materials. The procurement is classified as research services under CPV 73110000.

This is an early planning-stage procurement and the buyer has not yet issued an invitation to tender. The buyer expects to publish a subsequent notice on 5 October 2026. Market engagement is scheduled for 2 October 2026, involving a request for information questionnaire. The planned contract is divided into two studies, although the published lot information currently identifies Lot 1 as being in planning. The stated value is £175,000 excluding VAT and £210,000 including VAT. The planned contract period is 2 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, with a possible extension to 30 June 2027. The procurement is above the relevant threshold, and renewal is contemplated.

The work will suit research consultancies, policy institutes, economic and labour-market analysts, technology-sector specialists and partnerships combining these capabilities. Strong candidates will be able to analyse vacancy and workforce data, map education and training pathways, assess skills gaps, build five-year scenarios and conduct sensitivity analysis. The second study calls for evidence synthesis, comparative international and policy research, case studies, horizon scanning and analysis of advanced connectivity, future networks and 6G. The buyer is looking for robust stakeholder engagement, validation, quality assurance and clear recommendations for government, industry, small and medium-sized enterprises and training providers. Suppliers should also be able to produce datasets, models, source files, accessible reports, briefings and presentations for senior decision-makers. The procurement is identified as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises, supporting participation by smaller specialist organisations and collaborative teams.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UK2 Notice Template

Notice Description

Lot 1: Advanced Connectivity Technologies Workforce and Skills Study Indicative scope: Assess the current workforce demand in the ACT sector using vacancy data, to understand demand for key roles, skills and qualifications. Set out how this demand breaks down by region, demographics and earnings. Map education and training pathways, including undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, further education and apprenticeship routes. Assess current and emerging workforce and skills gaps by technology family, skill level, region and demographic characteristics. Develop five-year workforce and skills scenarios and identify practical interventions for government, industry, SMEs and training providers. Undertake structured stakeholder engagement and robust validation, sensitivity analysis and quality assurance. Indicative deliverables: Project plan and detailed methodology. Current workforce analysis report. Future workforce scenario analysis report. Stakeholder engagement summary. Final synthesis report and recommendations. Complete datasets, models and assumptions log. Policy and analytical presentations; publishable accessible outputs. Lot 2: Connectivity Sector Adoption and Future Networks Study Indicative scope: Synthesise UK and international evidence on adoption, implementation and scaling of advanced connectivity technologies and services. Assess benefits, barriers, enablers, delivery models, funding approaches, regulation, governance and place-based factors. Undertake comparative case study and policy analysis, supported by proportionate stakeholder engagement. Conduct a structured horizon scan of emerging technologies, services, use cases, risks and future demand drivers, including 6G. Develop evidence-based conclusions and prioritised policy, investment and intervention recommendations. Indicative deliverables: Evidence synthesis and comparative policy report. Horizon scanning output. Final synthesis report and prioritised recommendations. Policy briefing or slide deck for senior decision-makers. Case study annex and two presentations. Accessible, publication-ready source files and outputs.

Planning Information

Please contact Naomi Jones DI Commercial Lead for the full RFI Questionaire

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06fa53
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087386-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£175,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Oct 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
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
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

Notice Documents

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.

Loading OCDS record...