Find Tenders for Research and development services and related consultancy services

Early Market Engagement on Health and Work Outcomes-Based Contracting

Description: In line with the Government's 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), working with NHS England, is exploring outcomes-based approaches that enable new partnerships to address health-related economic inactivity and support sustained employment for people with health conditions. This early market engagement seeks to gather views from potential investors and service providers on the feasibility, attractiveness, and design of proposed Health and Growth outcomes-based contracts, ahead of any potential future formal market activity.

Summary: The Department of Health & Social Care, in collaboration with NHS England, is initiating an early market engagement process for the development of Health and Growth outcomes-based contracts. This effort is in line with the UK Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England, which aims to address health-related economic inactivity by supporting sustained employment for individuals with health conditions. The engagement process, currently in the planning stage, seeks to explore models for outcomes-driven, "pay by impact" contracts. It is set to start on 23rd March 2026, with relevant feedback due by 12th April 2026. Operating predominantly within the health and social work services industry, this initiative is rooted in London but extends across the United Kingdom.

Vapour-Phase Electrolysis Design and Development

Description: The following summary is not intended as a complete or definitive specification of the requirement. A purpose of this engagement is to seek information from the market to help refine our understanding and aid the development of a future specification. UKFE is seeking to develop a prototype electrolyser for decomposing a vapour phase feed of water in helium. Prototype development supports the longer-term information of electrolysis technology in the STEP prototype fusion power plant. This MEN pertains to phase 1 of the prototype development: concept design. Concept design will be carried out with the aim to support future additional contracts pertaining to manufacturing, assembly and testing. UKFE are seeking to identify industry appetite and capabilities for the provision of an electrolyser prototype design. Capabilities may include expertise in (read more...)

Summary: The procurement process for the design and development of a Vapour-Phase Electrolysis system is currently in the planning stage under UK Fusion Energy Ltd, located at Culham Science Centre, Abingdon. This process aims to gather market insights for developing an electrolyser prototype as part of the STEP prototype fusion power plant project. Interested parties are invited to provide input by 15th May 2026. The procurement category is services and is related to engineering design services and research and experimental development. The contract is expected to commence on 31st August 2026, ending by 19th March 2027, with a projected contract value of £125,000 net, or £156,250 gross, in GBP. This procurement is planned to serve the United Kingdom region.

Perceptions of Practice Placements on Social Work Courses

Description: Social Work England is commissioning independent research to strengthen its understanding of practice-based learning across qualifying routes into social work in England. This work supports Social Work England's role as the regulator of social work education and training, and will inform future regulatory standards, guidance and quality assurance activity. The requirement is for the design and delivery of a mixed-methods research study exploring perceptions and experiences of practice-based learning, including statutory and non-statutory placements. The research will examine issues of placement quality, placement sufficiency and variation across regions, qualifying routes and workforce contexts. The supplier will be expected to engage with a range of stakeholders, which may include education providers, employers, practice educators, placement providers and newly qualified social workers. Research activity is likely to include a combination (read more...)

Summary: Social Work England is procuring a contract for a research study titled "Perceptions of Practice Placements on Social Work Courses" under an open procurement method. The contract, valued at £50,000, is in the tender stage and focuses on conducting independent research to assess practice-based learning in social work education across England. The tender is classified under research services, research and development consultancy services, and higher education services, with delivery regions spanning the entirety of the UK. Interested parties need to submit their applications by 6th May 2026, with enquiries closing on 29th April 2026. The contract is scheduled to start on 19th June 2026 and end by 19th December 2026.

Design, Furniture and Appliances 3

Description: NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) intends to put in place its 3rd generation Framework for the provision of design, furniture and appliances to be used by Approved Organisations for the following proposed Lots, which are under consideration during this preliminary market engagement: Lot 1.1 - Clinical and Healthcare Environment Design Provision of consultancy services for clinical and healthcare environment, including planning and design, utilisation analysis, and space planning. Lot 1.2 - Consultancy, Design and Turnkey Provision of end-to-end consultancy interior design, space planning, and turnkey delivery services. Lot 2.1 - Office and Residential Furniture Provision of design, supply, delivery, and installation of a variety of office and residential furniture. Lot 2.2 - Office and Residential - Hire, Lease and Subscription Provision of hire, lease and subscription (read more...)

Summary: NHS Shared Business Services Limited is currently in the planning stage of establishing a Framework Agreement under the Procurement Act 2023 for the "Design, Furniture and Appliances 3" project. This procurement, aligned with industry categories such as medical furniture and specialty design services, aims to cover multiple lots including consulting and turnkey services, furniture supply, and environmental graphics. With a budget allocation reaching up to £80 million net, the initiative spans across various regions, including the United Kingdom, Guernsey, Isle of Man, and Jersey. Currently, preliminary market engagement is underway, with interested parties required to submit the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire by midday 14 May 2026. This procurement will employ an eSourcing system via SAP Ariba for subsequent activities, emphasising the need for valid registration credentials.

4-year Fellowship - endpoint toxicity for a mixture of chemicals

Description: This research project being tendered links to the FSA Strategy 2022-2027. This strategy is based around the FSA's mission, food you can trust, alongside three key pillars: food is safe; food is what it says it is; food is healthier and more sustainable. The proposed project focuses on the first pillar, that food is safe, and by generating a new scientific case study focused on the assessment of mixtures of chemicals using in-silico and in-vitro New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), it will enable us to further protect consumers from chemical hazards and enable consumers to be empowered to make informed choices around the food that they eat. The Chemical, Radiological and Allergy (Food Hypersensitivity) Research and Evidence Programme (ChemRA REP) is a wider programme of work, under which this (read more...)

Summary: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is conducting a tender process for a four-year fellowship project titled "Endpoint Toxicity for a Mixture of Chemicals" focusing on research and development services. Located in York, United Kingdom, this open procurement procedure is active in the industry category of "Research and Development Consultancy Services" under CPV codes 73000000 and 73200000. The initiative aligns with the FSA Strategy 2022-2027, specifically targeting food safety, and involves using in-silico and in-vitro New Approach Methodologies to evaluate chemical mixtures in food. The enquiry period closes on 13th April 2026, with submission deadlines extended to 14th May 2026. The contract period runs from 15th June 2026 to 31st March 2030, with potential for a six-month extension.

Participatory & Deliberative Engagement: A Stronger, Fairer Community in Maidstone Town Centre

Description: Maidstone Borough Council ("the Council") invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced organisations to design and deliver a participatory and deliberative engagement programme focused exclusively on Maidstone Town Centre. The Council is seeking an independent partner to work with residents to explore the lived experience of urban living, with a particular emphasis on fairness, equity, and inclusivity, and on identifying opportunities to build stronger, more resilient communities within the borough's most diverse and mobile ward. There are a range of connected projects in the Town Centre aimed at strengthening community resilience, improving quality of life, and enhancing universal access. This commission will generate meaningful, evidence-based insight to inform these initiatives, drawing on data, examining socio-economic disparities, and supporting consideration of trade-offs.

Summary: Maidstone Borough Council is seeking tenders for a project titled "Participatory & Deliberative Engagement: A Stronger, Fairer Community in Maidstone Town Centre." This tender falls under the industry categories of research and development consultancy services and business services, including law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing, and security. It is located in Maidstone Town Centre, with the procurement stage currently active. The open competition is classified as a "Below threshold" procurement process, and the submission deadline is set for 6th May 2026, with an enquiry period closing on 29th April 2026. The contract value is £60,000.00 and aims to start on 15th June 2026, concluding on 30th September 2026.

State of Medical Education and Practice (SoMEP) Barometer Survey 2026

Description: This research is part of our ongoing work to measure and track the state of medical practice in the UK. Findings from the Barometer survey allow us to report on changes in doctors' career intentions, experiences in the workplace, and frequency of adaptations to pressurised environments; providing this in the context of their scope of practice. Whilst the Barometer survey is conducted annually, we are only currently tendering for the work that will take place in 2026. The Barometer survey is one of the central sources of evidence underpinning the GMC's State of Medical Education and Practice (SoMEP) workplace experiences report which provides a comprehensive picture of doctors' experiences and the realities and challenges they face. The SoMEP workplace experiences report is drafted by GMC staff but will (read more...)

Summary: The General Medical Council (GMC) is inviting tenders for the 2026 State of Medical Education and Practice (SoMEP) Barometer Survey. This project falls under the research and development services industry category and is crucial for tracking changes in doctors' workplace experiences in the UK. With an open procurement method, the contract is valued at £137,500 net, with a gross amount of £165,000. The tender, currently in the active stage, is open for submissions until 6th May 2026, and all enquiries must be made by 21st April 2026. The contract is scheduled to commence on 29th May 2026, lasting for one year, providing an opportunity for service providers located throughout the UK.

State of Medical Education and Practice (SoMEP) Barometer Survey 2026

Description: This research is part of our ongoing work to measure and track the state of medical practice in the UK. Findings from the Barometer survey allow us to report on changes in doctors' career intentions, experiences in the workplace, and frequency of adaptations to pressurised environments; providing this in the context of their scope of practice. Whilst the Barometer survey is conducted annually, we are only currently tendering for the work that will take place in 2026. The Barometer survey is one of the central sources of evidence underpinning the GMC's State of Medical Education and Practice (SoMEP) workplace experiences report which provides a comprehensive picture of doctors' experiences and the realities and challenges they face. The SoMEP workplace experiences report is drafted by GMC staff but will (read more...)

Summary: The General Medical Council (GMC) is inviting tenders for the 2026 State of Medical Education and Practice (SoMEP) Barometer Survey. This project falls under the research and development services industry category and is crucial for tracking changes in doctors' workplace experiences in the UK. With an open procurement method, the contract is valued at £137,500 net, with a gross amount of £165,000. The tender, currently in the active stage, is open for submissions until 6th May 2026, and all enquiries must be made by 21st April 2026. The contract is scheduled to commence on 29th May 2026, lasting for one year, providing an opportunity for service providers located throughout the UK.

Participatory & Deliberative Engagement: A Stronger, Fairer Community in Maidstone Town Centre

Description: Maidstone Borough Council ("the Council") invites tenders from suitably qualified and experienced organisations to design and deliver a participatory and deliberative engagement programme focused exclusively on Maidstone Town Centre. The Council is seeking an independent partner to work with residents to explore the lived experience of urban living, with a particular emphasis on fairness, equity, and inclusivity, and on identifying opportunities to build stronger, more resilient communities within the borough's most diverse and mobile ward. There are a range of connected projects in the Town Centre aimed at strengthening community resilience, improving quality of life, and enhancing universal access. This commission will generate meaningful, evidence-based insight to inform these initiatives, drawing on data, examining socio-economic disparities, and supporting consideration of trade-offs. For more information about this opportunity, please (read more...)

Summary: Maidstone Borough Council is seeking tenders for a project titled "Participatory & Deliberative Engagement: A Stronger, Fairer Community in Maidstone Town Centre." This tender falls under the industry categories of research and development consultancy services and business services, including law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing, and security. It is located in Maidstone Town Centre, with the procurement stage currently active. The open competition is classified as a "Below threshold" procurement process, and the submission deadline is set for 6th May 2026, with an enquiry period closing on 29th April 2026. The contract value is £60,000.00 and aims to start on 15th June 2026, concluding on 30th September 2026.

Service Design for Embedding Positive Cultures in Residential Care across Wales

Description: Social Care Wales is looking for two experienced, independent suppliers to help shape and test a new programme designed to build positive, relationship centred cultures in adult social care across Wales. The programme aims to "help care providers nurture, measure and sustain positive, relationship centred cultures." This work is funded through the Rayne Foundation's Better Carers Better Careers initiative and will run across multiple years. The programme is split into two lots, each with a distinct focus but designed to work closely together. The contract will be divided into the following Lots, and Social Care Wales intends to appoint one provider per Lot. Suppliers may bid for one or both Lots; however, a Supplier awarded one Lot will not be eligible to be awarded the other. Lot 1 (read more...)

Summary: Social Care Wales is launching a procurement process titled "Service Design for Embedding Positive Cultures in Residential Care across Wales." The initiative, spearheaded by this public authority operating under Welsh devolved regulations, aims to foster relationship-centred cultures within adult social care services. Geared towards the Health and Social Work Services and Project Management sectors, the process is currently in the planning phase with key market engagement activities scheduled. A preliminary market engagement session via MS Teams is set for 11 a.m. on 20 April 2026, with the question and answer portal open until 17:00 on 22 April 2026. Located in Cardiff, this initiative falls under the category of public authority sub-central government, with services to be delivered across the UK. The procurement process invites the participation of SMEs and VCSEs and will commence contract implementation from the 20th of July 2026 until the 31st of March 2028.