---
title: "Space Weather R2O2R - University of Birmingham"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05948f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05948f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05948f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05948f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MET OFFICE"
published: "2026-04-02"
---

# Space Weather R2O2R - University of Birmingham

Buyer: MET OFFICE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05948f

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## Summary

The procurement process for the "Space Weather R2O2R - University of Birmingham" project involves the Met Office as the buying organisation, with operations based in Exeter, UK. The procurement falls under the industry category of research and experimental development services, and is focused within the UK, primarily in the UKG region. The project's main objective involved collaboration between the Met Office and the University of Birmingham, with a direct award procurement due to the unique intellectual property rights and technical reasons. The contract period was from 19 September 2025 to 31 March 2026. The tender entered its contract termination stage on 31 March 2026, having been successfully completed as planned.

This tender offers significant opportunities for business growth, especially for organisations specialising in research, development services, and software engineering. Companies with expertise in GNSS data processing, ionospheric research, or space weather systems integration would have been well-suited to partner in this project. The contract required specific model and code development capabilities already held by the University of Birmingham, indicating a competitive advantage for businesses with similar proprietary technology. As the project targets improving operational readiness of space weather services, it provides a platform for businesses to expand into new areas of scientific research and technological development, particularly those with experience in high-demand sectors such as aviation, satellite communications, and defence.

## Notice

Ongoing delivery of AENeAS model input datasets (processed GNSS data and other relevant data) generated at UoB, with a 95% availability SLA, covering the full duration of the contract. Provide real-time scintillation dataset to Met Office and software to generate visualisation of this dataset over the UK region. (Oct '25) Delivery of ray-tracing software and visualisation code to generate HF Comms contact maps, centred on Shanwick (UoB delivery Dec '25) Delivery and implementation of AENeAS "health" routines in MO system (Dec '25) and covering the amount of data assimilated/rejected, the health of individual ensemble members and other relevant health metrics. Initial validation of scintillation forecasting method (Feb '26) using GNSS scintillation measurements for a period covering different phases of the solar cycle and submission of research paper highlighting the findings of this study. Integration of latest ODRAM version (ODRAM code and visualisations) into the AENeAS workflow (Mar '26), in collaboration with the University of Lancaster, using near real time riometer measurements provided on the HPC for integration with AENeAS. Customer engagement activity requirements MOSWOC training (Mar '26) Provision of training to MOSWOC covering an overview of the ionosphere-thermosphere system, AENeAS model and its limitations and the products generated by AENeAS Customer engagement focused on low-mid latitudes ionosphere (Mar '26) This activity will require collaboration between UoB and Met Office Markets personnel, to plan and execute a series of discussions with key users of HF beyond line-of-sight communications, satellite communications (SATCOM) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).These will be targeted at three key groups: * Aviation * PNT * Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite tracking and operations A set of key questions and discussion points will be developed and agreed in advance through coordination between UoB and the Met Office Markets team. These will then collaborate to reach out and engage with key organisations, groups or users. Indicatively these are likely to include: * National Air Traffic Services (NATS) * Pilots (civil and military) * Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) * Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) - Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) Office * Ordnance Survey * Met Office Technical Services * Space Command and No.1 Space Operations Squadron UK Space Agency * LEO Satellite operators The outcomes will be summarily documented in a report and used to build a baseline understanding of user needs. This will subsequently be used to guide model output being usefully codified, visualised and disseminated to ensure outputs are understandable and actionable across a range of user types and applications. The report will specifically be used to guide further development through insight into: * Requirements for model resolution * Operationally exploitable product format/s * Optimal timeliness and cadence of products * Optimal data format/s * Dissemination methods and user platforms Software and operational support delivery requirements This sets out the general requirements for the work required to accelerate the implementation of the SWIMMR R2O projects on Met Office systems. The scope is to assist the Met Office in the transition of the SWIMMR models towards operational status, as measured by Application Useability Levels (aiming for AUL9). To facilitate this process, the following general software engineering processes and practice should be adhered to: Play a key and proactive role in the maintenance of existing software. In particular, * Monitor the list of open pull requests (PRs) on the GitHub repository containing the model code daily. When new PRs appear (and within a working week), o Respond to any questions raised by MO SSEs. o Accept any requests to review code contributions authored by MO SSEs. o Where appropriate, engage in the online discussions around these. * When you discover issues, contribute (via PR) carefully tested code fixes * Follow the PR process outlined above and documented on the portal. * Participate in knowledge exchange to enable Met Office to become more self-sufficient in model maintenance * Provide technical/scientific 4th line support in code bug resolution [working days support- response/resolution timeline to be agreed] * Work with Met Office (MO) Scientific Software Engineers (SSEs) to measurably increase the robustness of the codes (e.g. through test coverage assessment and defining required tests) by improving testing and logging according to the principles documented on the Met Office R2O portal. * Ensure logging sufficient to diagnose workflow issues * Contribute expertise as part of user research discussions with end users (MOSWOC/industry) in determining the product strategy for utilising the AENeAS data to deliver the most value.

### Procurement Information

The deliverables within the contract are associated with a model and code already developed and owned by the partner (supplier) to a specific maturity under the SWIMMR Programme. The academics hold the model code IPR and provide model access to Met Office under Licence (pending renewal on signature of the contract) and therefore are uniquely placed to provide these services to the Met Office. Delivery will 'accelerate' the model's development towards transition to operations within the Met Office Space Weather service as mandated by DSIT. The purpose of the contract is to continue development of the models (which requires the 'deep expertise' of the model developer) and to transfer model and model code knowledge and expertise. In short, there is no other supplier for the work associated with the model.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030804-2026 |
| Notice type | UK11 - Contract Termination Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 3 Sep 2025 |
| Contract period | 18 Sep 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £157,872 |
| Contracts value | £157,872 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Terminated |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MET OFFICE |
| Additional buyers | Missing |
| Locality | EXETER |
| Post town | Exeter |
| Postcode | EX1 3PB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK4 Devon |
| ITL 3 | TLK43 Devon CC |
| Local authority | Exeter |
| Electoral ward | Pinhoe |
| Westminster constituency | Exmouth and Exeter East |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73100000 - Research and experimental development services

## Release History

- 2 Apr 2026 at 10:54 - ContractTermination - UK11 - Contract Termination Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030804-2026
- 24 Oct 2025 at 08:32 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068036-2025
- 4 Sep 2025 at 19:30 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054098-2025
- 4 Sep 2025 at 19:24 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054097-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030804-2026
  2nd April 2026 - Contract termination notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068036-2025
  24th October 2025 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054098-2025
  4th September 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/054097-2025
  4th September 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.birmingham.ac.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

## 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-h6vhtk-05948f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05948f.json.