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DNO553-ISIP Post-Doctoral Project-TN

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

15 Oct 2026 at 13:56

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is buying specialist research services to develop and mature autonomous radiation-mapping capabilities using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The work covers algorithms for mapping radiation, locating radiation sources and characterising radiological threats, together with validation trials and transfer of knowledge. It continues an existing autonomy research programme funded through NTR. The work is led by the University of Bristol, which is also the selected supplier. The procurement is for research and development rather than equipment supply or routine drone operations. The requirement centres on combining autonomous UAV technology with radiological measurement and analysis, then testing the resulting capabilities. The buying organisation is the Ministry of Defence; the supplier is based in Bristol.

The procurement is complete and the University of Bristol was selected through a direct award. The Ministry of Defence justified the single-tender route because the research continues an existing programme and Bristol has unique knowledge, intellectual property, datasets, methods and specialist capability developed through earlier work. The award value is £368,512.48 excluding VAT (£442,214.98 including VAT). The contract period runs from 6 November 2026 to 6 November 2028, with signature scheduled for 6 November 2026. There is one lot, covering the research requirement as a whole. No separate evaluation criteria are stated; the award rationale focuses on continuity and the supplier’s specialist expertise. The award is recorded as pending, while the overall tender status is complete.

For suppliers preparing for a comparable Ministry of Defence requirement, credibility would depend on demonstrable expertise in autonomous UAV systems and radiological sensing, particularly the ability to develop algorithms for radiation mapping, source localisation and threat characterisation. The work also calls for a research capability that can validate technical developments through trials and transfer knowledge to the customer. Bristol’s selection shows the commercial importance of continuity: familiarity with the existing programme, its datasets and established methodologies was central to the direct award rationale. A future competitor would therefore need to evidence relevant prior research and technical results, along with the capacity to mature and test integrated capabilities rather than deliver an isolated component. Experience working with defence-funded research programmes would help demonstrate fit with this buyer’s requirement.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

DNO553-ISIP Post-Doctoral Project-TN

Notice Description

Provision of post-doctoral research to develop and mature UAV-based autonomous radiation mapping, source localisation and radiological threat characterisation capabilities, including algorithm development, validation trials and knowledge transfer.

Procurement Information

A single tender action is justified in this instance as the requirement is a direct continuation of an existing NTR-funded autonomy research programme led by Bristol University. The University possesses unique knowledge, intellectual capital, developed datasets, established methodologies and specialist capability generated through the preceding work.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078893
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/097499-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency 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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£368,512 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
6 Nov 2026 - 6 Nov 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ministry of Defence
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

University of Bristol

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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