---
title: "UKRI-6071 Underground Gas Network & Associated Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06e92d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06e92d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e92d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e92d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)"
published: "2026-08-21"
---

# UKRI-6071 Underground Gas Network & Associated Services

Buyer: UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06e92d

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## Summary

UK Research & Innovation, through the UKRI-STFC estate, is preparing to procure comprehensive maintenance of its private gas distribution network at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire. The work covers planned and preventative maintenance of the underground gas network and associated services, helping to maintain the safe, reliable flow of gas across the laboratory site. The supplier will also need to provide suitable records and evidence to support external audits and demonstrate compliance, safety and operational performance. This is primarily gas network works, with related gas distribution services. The requirement is focused on a specialist private network serving a research laboratory rather than general domestic or commercial gas supply.

The procurement is at the planning stage and the buyer has stated an intention to use an open tender procedure. The anticipated contract is expected to run from 7 December 2026 to 7 December 2029, with a possible extension to 7 December 2030. Its estimated value is £1,690,000 excluding VAT, or £2,028,000 including VAT. The requirement is above the applicable threshold and is planned as a single lot, identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. UKRI expects to publish the next notice on 18 November 2026. A virtual market engagement event is planned for 25 September 2026 at 09:30 BST; suppliers wishing to attend were asked to register by 22 September 2026 using reference UKRI-6071.

This will suit specialist gas network maintenance providers able to manage a private distribution network in a safety-critical research-site environment. The buyer is specifically seeking organisations registered under the Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS), with the capacity, capability, skills and competencies to deliver comprehensive planned and preventative maintenance. Strong candidates will be able to maintain underground gas infrastructure, protect continuity and reliability of supply, and operate robust safety and compliance processes. They will also need to produce accurate maintenance records and auditable evidence covering compliance, safety and operational performance. The planned single-lot structure and stated SME suitability may support established specialist contractors, including businesses with relevant technical teams and the capacity to deliver a multi-year service.

## Notice

UKRI-STFC is seeking to engage with specialist gas network providers that are registered under the Gas Industry Registration Scheme (GIRS) and have the capacity, capability, skills and competencies required to deliver a comprehensive gas network maintenance service. The requirement relates to the planned and preventative maintenance of UKRI-STFC's private gas distribution network at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX ensuring the safe and reliable flow of gas across the network and the provision of suitable records and evidence to support external audits, demonstrating compliance, safety and operational performance.

### Planning Information

UKRI-STFC will be holding a virtual Market Engagement Event on Friday 25 September at 09:30 BST, providing an overview of the requirement. There will be an opportunity for
suppliers to ask questions. 
If you are interested in attending, please email the below details to 
STFCprocurement@ukri.org, quoting the UKRI reference number (UKRI-6071) by
Tuesday 22 September 2026.
Company name:
Attendee name:
Email address:

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079707-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 18 Nov 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 7 Dec 2026 - 7 Dec 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,690,000 |
| 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 | UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) |
| Locality | SWINDON, WILTSHIRE |
| Postcode area | 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 | TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work
- 65 - Public utilities

### Codes

- 45231221 - Gas supply mains construction work
- 65200000 - Gas distribution and related services
- 65210000 - Gas distribution

## Release History

- 21 Aug 2026 at 08:50 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079707-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079707-2026
  21st August 2026 - Preliminary market engagement 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-06e92d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06e92d.json.