--- title: "UK2 Notice Template" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06fa53" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06fa53" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06fa53.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06fa53.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "Department for Science, Innovation & Technology" published: "2026-09-15" --- # UK2 Notice Template Buyer: Department for Science, Innovation & Technology Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06fa53 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06fa53) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06fa53.json) ## Summary The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology is planning research services on advanced connectivity and future networks in the United Kingdom. The proposed work covers two studies: an Advanced Connectivity Technologies workforce and skills study, and a Connectivity Sector Adoption and Future Networks study. The first would analyse workforce demand, roles, qualifications, education and training routes, skills gaps and five-year workforce scenarios. The second would examine UK and international evidence on adoption, implementation, benefits, barriers, funding, regulation, governance, case studies and emerging technologies including 6G. Expected outputs include analytical reports, datasets, models, stakeholder findings, policy recommendations, presentations and accessible publication-ready materials. The procurement is classified as research services under CPV 73110000. This is an early planning-stage procurement and the buyer has not yet issued an invitation to tender. The buyer expects to publish a subsequent notice on 5 October 2026. Market engagement is scheduled for 2 October 2026, involving a request for information questionnaire. The planned contract is divided into two studies, although the published lot information currently identifies Lot 1 as being in planning. The stated value is £175,000 excluding VAT and £210,000 including VAT. The planned contract period is 2 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, with a possible extension to 30 June 2027. The procurement is above the relevant threshold, and renewal is contemplated. The work will suit research consultancies, policy institutes, economic and labour-market analysts, technology-sector specialists and partnerships combining these capabilities. Strong candidates will be able to analyse vacancy and workforce data, map education and training pathways, assess skills gaps, build five-year scenarios and conduct sensitivity analysis. The second study calls for evidence synthesis, comparative international and policy research, case studies, horizon scanning and analysis of advanced connectivity, future networks and 6G. The buyer is looking for robust stakeholder engagement, validation, quality assurance and clear recommendations for government, industry, small and medium-sized enterprises and training providers. Suppliers should also be able to produce datasets, models, source files, accessible reports, briefings and presentations for senior decision-makers. The procurement is identified as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises, supporting participation by smaller specialist organisations and collaborative teams. ## Notice Lot 1: Advanced Connectivity Technologies Workforce and Skills Study Indicative scope: Assess the current workforce demand in the ACT sector using vacancy data, to understand demand for key roles, skills and qualifications. Set out how this demand breaks down by region, demographics and earnings. Map education and training pathways, including undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, further education and apprenticeship routes. Assess current and emerging workforce and skills gaps by technology family, skill level, region and demographic characteristics. Develop five-year workforce and skills scenarios and identify practical interventions for government, industry, SMEs and training providers. Undertake structured stakeholder engagement and robust validation, sensitivity analysis and quality assurance. Indicative deliverables: Project plan and detailed methodology. Current workforce analysis report. Future workforce scenario analysis report. Stakeholder engagement summary. Final synthesis report and recommendations. Complete datasets, models and assumptions log. Policy and analytical presentations; publishable accessible outputs. Lot 2: Connectivity Sector Adoption and Future Networks Study Indicative scope: Synthesise UK and international evidence on adoption, implementation and scaling of advanced connectivity technologies and services. Assess benefits, barriers, enablers, delivery models, funding approaches, regulation, governance and place-based factors. Undertake comparative case study and policy analysis, supported by proportionate stakeholder engagement. Conduct a structured horizon scan of emerging technologies, services, use cases, risks and future demand drivers, including 6G. Develop evidence-based conclusions and prioritised policy, investment and intervention recommendations. Indicative deliverables: Evidence synthesis and comparative policy report. Horizon scanning output. Final synthesis report and prioritised recommendations. Policy briefing or slide deck for senior decision-makers. Case study annex and two presentations. Accessible, publication-ready source files and outputs. ### Planning Information Please contact Naomi Jones DI Commercial Lead for the full RFI Questionaire ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087386-2026 | | 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, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 15 Sep 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 5 Oct 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 2 Nov 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £175,000 | | 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 | Department for Science, Innovation & Technology | | Locality | LONDON | | Postcode area | 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 - 15 Sep 2026 at 15:01 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087386-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087386-2026 15th September 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-06fa53. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06fa53.json.