---
title: "PS26196 - Comms operational support"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06cd87"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06cd87"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06cd87.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06cd87.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION"
published: "2026-07-17"
---

# PS26196 - Comms operational support

Buyer: UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06cd87

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## Summary

The procurement process was carried out by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a public authority in the central government sector, based in Swindon, United Kingdom. The procurement concerns contract PS26196, titled "Comms operational support," and falls under the industry category of research consultancy services. The location for the service is the entire UK region. This procurement was directly awarded without competition due to a lack of reasonable alternatives. UK Shared Business Services Ltd, also based in Swindon, acted as the procuring entity. The contract, valued at £12,000 gross, was signed on 1st July 2026 and commenced the same day, with an end date of 3rd August 2026. Consequently, this is in the finalised stage of the procurement, with the contract already active and in effect.

This tender presents a notable opportunity for businesses specialising in research consultancy services, particularly those capable of delivering communication-related operational support. Despite the absence of a competitive tendering process, understanding the requirements laid out by UKRI could provide insights for businesses seeking similar opportunities in the future. Companies like LUTHER PENDRAGON LIMITED, which operates as an SME in London and is the awarded supplier for this contract, exemplify the type of firms that can thrive in such procurements. Such contracts may be particularly suited to SMEs looking to establish a foothold with government organisations or enhance their portfolio with central government contracts. Understanding the dynamics of direct procurement and establishing relationships with organisations like UKRI and UK Shared Business Services could open further pathways to growth for businesses within this sector.

## Notice

***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded without competition due to there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. Brief Description of Requirement UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) have a requirement to create an Comms operational support

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067577-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Below threshold - without competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 30 Jun 2026 |
| Contract period | 30 Jun 2026 - 3 Aug 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £10,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK RESEARCH AND INNOVATION |
| Additional buyers | UK SHARED BUSINESS SERVICES LTD |
| Locality | SWINDON |
| 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 | LUTHER PENDRAGON |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73210000 - Research consultancy services

## Release History

- 17 Jul 2026 at 09:34 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067577-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067577-2026
  17th July 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.luther.co.uk
- 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-06cd87. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06cd87.json.