---
title: "Semi-Conductor Study"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-068d33"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-068d33"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068d33.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068d33.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY"
published: "2026-04-28"
---

# Semi-Conductor Study

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-068d33

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## Summary

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology is in the planning stage of its tender process for a project titled "Semi-Conductor Study" within the services industry category, specifically related to research services. Located in London, the department aims to conduct a scoping study to assess the viability and operation of a Hardware Security Research Platform funded through ISF over a three-year period. Interested parties are invited to join a pre-market engagement session scheduled for 14th May 2026 to gain insights into the project scope, ask questions, and potentially participate in an informal Request For Information (RFI) process. The deadline for engagement is set for 15th May 2026, with further tender communications anticipated by 29th May 2026. The project, initially conceptualised in 2025 by UK and US government and industry, requires evidence to support decision-making by investment approvers.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses within the semiconductor and hardware security sectors to engage in a strategic initiative aimed at accelerating commercial adoption of security solutions. Companies with research and development capabilities, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), could benefit from the potential to establish and manage the platform, enhancing their credibility and market presence in both UK and potentially US markets. The preliminary exploration provides a chance for companies to align their expertise with government aspirations, paving the way for future collaboration and innovation in hardware security, fostering growth through access to industry-grade resources and participation in a pivotal research ecosystem.

## Notice

The Semiconductor Unit in DSIT has secured ISF funding over 3 years for a Hardware Security Research Platform. Its aim is to accelerate commercial adoption of hardware security solutions by lowering the cost of solutions development, facilitating researcher/industry engagement, and researcher access to industry-grade resources and tape-outs. The project idea was developed by UK and US government and industry in early 2025 and is currently at concept stage. We require a scoping study to provide DSIT with sufficient evidence to satisfy internal investment approvers and to shape a call for candidate organisations to bid to establish and run the platform itself. The study should broadly cover analysis and actionable recommendations on the viability, structure, and operation of a hardware security research platform. The study should evidence optimal structural, operational, and costs /financial models; identify specific services and infrastructure needed to support the platform and its target users; and assess potential risks, liabilities, and performance metrics. As the platform was originally conceived as a joint UK-US project, the study should also outline platform feasibility with both UK and US involvement, and UK-only.

### Planning Information

We plan to hold a pre-market engagement session 14th May 16:00 - 17:00 GMT. This will include a slidedeck outlining the project and expectations from the potentail supplier, Q&A Session and potentially an RFI (Request For Information).
Please get in touch with matthew.findlow@dsit.gov.uk if you would like to join the session.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038788-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 28 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 29 May 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 27 Aug 2026 - 28 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1A 2EG |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services

## Release History

- 28 Apr 2026 at 15:24 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038788-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/038788-2026
  28th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

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

## 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-068d33. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-068d33.json.