--- title: "Space-Based Time Transfer Service (Space BaTTS) Research & Development" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-069001" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069001" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069001.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069001.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY" published: "2026-05-26" --- # Space-Based Time Transfer Service (Space BaTTS) Research & Development Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-069001 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069001) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069001.json) ## Summary The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, based in London, is leading a procurement process for the Space-Based Time Transfer Service (Space BaTTS) Research & Development programme. This initiative focuses on developing a GNSS-independent time transfer capability to strengthen timing resilience for the UK and its overseas territories. Currently in the tender stage, the procurement follows an open procedure, allowing multiple contracts under this competition. The process is scheduled to close entries by 21st September 2026, with the contract period starting on 1st January 2027 and concluding on 31st August 2027. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses engaged in space systems, timing, synchronisation, and satellite technologies. It is particularly suitable for SMEs with capabilities in research and development. By participating in this procurement, businesses can contribute to a strategic UK initiative while enhancing their technological portfolios and expanding their market presence. The emphasis on innovative, varied technical solutions means the tender encourages diverse proposals, allowing companies to demonstrate their unique expertise and capabilities in the field. ## Notice The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is conducting a competitive procurement for the delivery of concept studies to explore potential technical and commercial approaches for the provision of a space-based time transfer capability that is independent of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). The requirement is part of the Space-Based Time Transfer Service (Space BaTTS) Research & Development Programme to develop, validate, and assess technology concepts that could fulfil an unmet government requirement for GNSS-independent global timing, provide UK overseas territories with backup timing solutions, and provide the UK mainland with an additional layer of timing resilience. This competition focuses on early-stage, pre-commercial research and development activity only. UKSA intends to award multiple contracts under this competition. Each contract will require the supplier to undertake a time-limited study examining a proposed concept. The studies are expected to assess technical feasibility, performance characteristics, delivery considerations, risks and indicative costs, and to provide evidence to help UKSA develop a clearer understanding of the available solution space. The requirements are deliberately outcome-focused and do not prescribe a single technical solution. Suppliers are encouraged to propose innovative and differentiated approaches, which may vary in technical design, maturity and scope. As a result, individual contract values may vary, subject to any stated maximum contract value. Appointment under this competition does not commit UKSA to any subsequent procurement for further development or operational delivery. Any future phases or follow-on activity would be subject to separate consideration, funding approval and, where appropriate, further competition. This notice relates to the intended procurement for a contract which is an exempted contract under s 3(6) and Schedule 2, Part 2 (Subject-matter exempted contracts), paragraph 22 (Research and Development Services) of the Procurement Act 2023 (the 'Act'). Exempted contracts are not a public contract as defined in s3 of the Act and therefore are not required to be procured in accordance with the provisions of the Act that relate to a covered procurement. Full details of the requirement, evaluation and contractual arrangements are set out in the tender documentation. ### Planning Information The UK Space Agency will be holding a Concept Studies for Space-Based Time Transfer Service (Space BaTTS) Webinar for interested suppliers on Friday the 15th of May, between 15:00 and 16:00 BST, to provide an opportunity for early engagement. This will include a presentation about the upcoming tender, some examples of what a solution could look like, and a Q&A session. Please note engagement with this opportunity is for information only and is not required in order to participate in any future competitive procedure. To join the webinar, please email commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk to request joining details. Please note this session will not be recorded. *UPDATE* UKSA hosted a webinar relating to this opportunity on the 15th of May. Copies of the slides from the webinar are available on request by emailing commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048506-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 26 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 21 Sep 2026 | | Future notice date | 26 May 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Jan 2027 - 31 Aug 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £1,680,000 | | Lots value | £1,680,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | 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 - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 79314000 - Feasibility study ## Release History - 26 May 2026 at 09:40 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048506-2026 - 19 May 2026 at 08:05 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045615-2026 - 6 May 2026 at 12:32 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041513-2026 - 1 May 2026 at 09:09 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040336-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048506-2026 26th May 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/045615-2026 19th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041513-2026 6th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040336-2026 1st May 2026 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/ - https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com/go/73279654019E63A4283E - 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-069001. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069001.json.