---
title: "UKRI-5782 Low Cost Low Velocity Aerial Delivery System"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06876f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06876f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06876f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06876f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)"
published: "2026-05-12"
---

# UKRI-5782 Low Cost Low Velocity Aerial Delivery System

Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06876f

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06876f)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06876f.json)

## Summary

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), a central government public authority, has awarded a contract for the supply of Low Cost Low Velocity Aerial Delivery Systems, intended for use in Antarctica. The procurement process involved a direct award due to technical reasons, with Niche Inc, a large-scale supplier based in the United States, being the only capable provider. The contract, identified as UKRI-5782, was signed on 5th May 2026, and runs through until 31st October 2026, with the possibility of extension up to 31st December 2026 to accommodate potential delays. The goods fall under the CPV classification of parachutes, with delivery addresses in the United Kingdom.

This tender represents a strategic opportunity for businesses specialising in advanced manufacturing and technical solutions within the aerospace and defence sectors, particularly those capable of innovating in challenging environments like Antarctica. The procurement highlights potential for growth and collaboration for UK and international firms that can meet niche requirements, such as those involving specialised aerial delivery systems. While the direct award nature limits competition in this instance, similar future contracts could provide avenues for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to engage through innovation driven by specific technical capabilities.

## Notice

The purpose of this contract is for the supply of Low Cost Low Velocity Aerial Delivery Systems for use in Antarctica. This is awarded in line with Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023.

### Procurement Information

Competition absent on grounds of technical reasoning. No other supplier able to meet requirements of the contract.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043675-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 12 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 20 Apr 2026 |
| Contract period | 5 May 2026 - 31 Oct 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £453,750 |
| Contracts value | £453,750 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active, Pending |
| Contracts status | Active |

## 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 | NICHE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

### Codes

- 39523000 - Parachutes

## Release History

- 12 May 2026 at 19:49 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043675-2026
- 21 Apr 2026 at 13:16 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036136-2026
- 21 Apr 2026 at 13:07 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036122-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043675-2026
  12th May 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036136-2026
  21st April 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036122-2026
  21st April 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-06876f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06876f.json.