--- title: "ONP Evaluation" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-805a0222-b95f-4d91-9340-7a68efb5536a" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-805a0222-b95f-4d91-9340-7a68efb5536a" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-805a0222-b95f-4d91-9340-7a68efb5536a.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-805a0222-b95f-4d91-9340-7a68efb5536a.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "Department for Science, Innovation & Technology" published: "2026-10-15" --- # ONP Evaluation Buyer: Department for Science, Innovation & Technology Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-b5fd17-805a0222-b95f-4d91-9340-7a68efb5536a [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-805a0222-b95f-4d91-9340-7a68efb5536a) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-805a0222-b95f-4d91-9340-7a68efb5536a.json) ## Summary The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), through its Digital Infrastructure directorate, commissioned specialist evaluation services for the UK Government’s Open Networks Programme (ONP). The work evaluates a portfolio of 11 interventions supporting research, development, testing and market adoption of open, interoperable network technologies, principally Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN). The programme’s funded activities ran from 2021 to March 2026. The evaluation is to use robust mixed-method analysis and assess the programme’s results and performance. This is research and development and related consultancy work (CPV 73000000). The procurement identifies delivery across the United Kingdom and internationally. The procurement is complete and was awarded to Technopolis Limited. DSIT used a selective procedure, making a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system. The contract award date was 24 September 2026. The contract runs from 12 October 2026 to 12 October 2027, with a stated term of 12 months; any extension requires agreement under the contract clauses. The awarded value is £599,760 excluding VAT, against a maximum budget of £600,000 excluding VAT. The contract concerns an interim evaluation of the ONP, a programme with a stated portfolio value of £295.5 million. Submissions closed on 17 July 2026 at 13:00. The procurement was marked suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises. For suppliers considering similar evaluation work for DSIT, this award indicates demand for specialist assessment of large, multi-intervention technology programmes, particularly in digital infrastructure and open, interoperable networks. A credible competitor would need to design and deliver robust mixed-method evaluation, covering research, development, testing and market adoption, and to assess outcomes across a varied portfolio. The commissioned approach was explicitly aligned with HM Treasury’s Magenta Book guidance on evaluation design and the Green Book’s principles of appraisal, value for money and risk management. Experience applying these frameworks, analysing complex programmes and producing evidence useful for public-sector appraisal would therefore be relevant. DSIT used a call-off from a dynamic purchasing system, and the opportunity was identified as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs as well as larger consultancies. ## Notice The project is being commissioned by Digital Infrastructure (DI), a directorate within the Department of Science and Innovation Technology (DSIT) (the Contracting Authority). The Term of the Contract is 12 months. The maximum budget available for this contract is PS600,000 (excluding VAT). Any extension would need to be agreed with the Contracting Authority in accordance with the contractual clauses. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is commissioning an evaluation of the UK Government's Open Networks Programme (ONP), a PS295.5m portfolio of 11 interventions supporting research, development, testing, and market adoption of open and interoperable network technologies, principally Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN). The first funded activities started in summer 2021, and the final activities concluded in March 2026. Through this procurement, we are seeking specialist evaluation services to deliver an interim evaluation of the programme, encompassing robust mixed method analysis, aligned with HM Treasury's Magenta Book guidance on evaluation design and the Green Book's principles of appraisal, value for money and risk management. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/99f3e70f-1dc7-4080-a63c-8259a4b9a3dc | | Notice type | Award Notice | | Procurement type | Dynamic | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Call-off from a dynamic purchasing system | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 15 Oct 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 24 Sep 2026 | | Contract period | 12 Oct 2026 - 12 Oct 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £599,760 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £599,760 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | Department for Science, Innovation & Technology | | Locality | SALFORD | | Postcode area | Manchester | | Postcode | M3 5BS | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester | | ITL 3 | TLD34 Greater Manchester South West | | Local authority | Salford | | Electoral ward | Blackfriars & Trinity | | Westminster constituency | Salford | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | TECHNOPOLIS LIMITED | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ## Release History - 15 Oct 2026 at 11:04 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/99f3e70f-1dc7-4080-a63c-8259a4b9a3dc ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/99f3e70f-1dc7-4080-a63c-8259a4b9a3dc 15th October 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/4ccba3a8-b5d9-4979-b979-ca1fcc77c2ea n/a ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-805a0222-b95f-4d91-9340-7a68efb5536a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-805a0222-b95f-4d91-9340-7a68efb5536a.json.