---
title: "UKRI-5676 Equipment Hire Agreement"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-060e0e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060e0e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060e0e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060e0e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)"
published: "2026-01-26"
---

# UKRI-5676 Equipment Hire Agreement

Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-060e0e

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## Summary

The procurement process titled "UKRI-5676 Equipment Hire Agreement" was conducted by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), a central government public authority based in Swindon, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. This contract involves support and maintenance services for a quantum computer system known as ARTEMIS, hosted at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. The procurement process is now complete, with the award stage finalised as of 22nd January 2026. The procurement was executed through a direct award method to Aegiq Ltd, located in Sheffield, United Kingdom, with the contract period set from 9th February 2026 to 8th February 2027. The services, classified under the industry category of software support services, will be delivered primarily through remote communication. Key deadlines included the standstill period, ending on 4th February 2026, and a scheduled contract signature due on 6th February 2026.

This tender provides significant opportunities for growth, particularly for businesses specialising in software support and complex system maintenance within the quantum computing sector. As the procurement was a direct award, it highlights the importance of bespoke technical expertise and proprietary technology development as key differentiators for winning such contracts. Companies with competencies in developing or maintaining advanced technological systems, especially in niche markets like quantum computing, could be well-positioned to secure similar contracts. Even though the opportunity was specific to Aegiq Ltd due to their role as the original developer, it stresses the value of building capacity in niche technological innovations that align with major governmental research projects.

## Notice

Support and Maintenance for ARTEMIS system quantum computer hosted at RAL. Lessor shall provide software support in terms of bug fixes and occasional updates to Software. Software Support Services will be provided via remote call or email.

### Procurement Information

This contract has been awarded directly to Aegiq Ltd as they are the original designer and manufacturer of the ARTEMIS photonic quantum computer delivered to NQCC under the SBRI Testbeds funding call. The system is a bespoke, one-off research asset that relies on proprietary technology and Aegiq-specific expertise. Aegiq Ltd is the only supplier technically capable of providing the required support and maintenance services. Continued support is essential to ensure ongoing operation, benchmarking and exploitation of the system and to maximise the benefits of the Testbeds investment. A direct award is therefore justified for technical reasons.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006483-2026 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 26 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 22 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 9 Feb 2026 - 8 Feb 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £320,300 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI) |
| Locality | SWINDON, WILTSHIRE |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN2 1FL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | AEGIQ |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 72261000 - Software support services

## Release History

- 26 Jan 2026 at 10:28 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006483-2026
- 26 Jan 2026 at 10:23 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006479-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006483-2026
  26th January 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006479-2026
  26th January 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.ukri.org/

## 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-060e0e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060e0e.json.