UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

The British Geological Survey (BGS), acting on behalf of the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD), requires a marine coring capability and suitable vessel to operate offshore southern North Sea, Netherlands or Denmark, for a scientific drilling and coring campaign for a period of 30 days (estimated) between April and May 2027. This scientific coring project seeks to extend our understanding of Earth’s dynamics during the last 50 ice ages and the warmer periods between them. The North Sea Basin is an area that was heavily impacted by these ice age cycles as climate fluctuated between fully glacial to warmer-than-present conditions. The continuous sediment accumulation found in this marine environment should be thought of as a ‘tape recorder’ that contain an almost complete record of glacial-interglacial episodes, providing insight on Europe’s past climate, ecology, and large river systems over the last ~3.3 million years. Relatively little is known about how Europe evolved during repeated ice age cycles. In this expedition, we aim to collect geological samples to gain insight into the baseline dynamics and thresholds for depositional and ecosystem regime shifts, as well as biodiversity turnover driven by rapid climate changes. This research will help us better understand the environmental responses to modern-day warming.

The Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) intends to procure a contract for the delivery of minor works across its estate in Cambridge. The appointed contractor will be required to undertake a broad range of works including maintenance and repair of building fabric, mechanical and electrical (M&E) systems, hard landscaping, and small-scale refurbishment and installation projects. Works may be undertaken within laboratory, office, and domestic environments and will vary in scope from routine repairs to small capital improvement projects.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has a permit to accumulate radioactive waste at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) and is currently holding various categories of radioactive waste in varying size and shape. The ISIS Facility at STFC is seeking a suitably qualified and licensed supplier to deliver an end‑to‑end radioactive waste disposal service, including collection from RAL, transport and final disposal at appropriately licensed incineration facilities. The anticipated contract term is 4+1 years. Any contract value or volumes referenced are indicative only and may change.

UKRI wishes to establish a Contract for the provision of an Automated Tunnel Washer System through a Competitive Flexible Procedure. Access to the tender documentation is subject to completion of a Security Gateway process and only suppliers that successfully satisfy the Security Gateway requirements will be provided access to the tender documents.

UKRI wishes to establish a Contract for the provision of a Double Door Steam Autoclave through a Competitive Flexible Procedure. Access to the tender documentation is subject to completion of a Security Gateway process and only suppliers that successfully satisfy the Security Gateway requirements will be provided access to the tender documents.

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), requires the delivery of Stage 2 of the LISA 2 Cleanroom Project within the Higgs Centre at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE). The procurement covers completion of the detailed design, construction, commissioning, ISO 14644 validation and handover of a specialist cleanroom facility to support the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UKATC) LISA programme.

UKRI is seeking to appoint a Main Contractor for the refurbishment of Laboratories 258 & 270 at The British Antarctic Survey.

UKRI wishes to establish a Contract for the provision of a Self-Steam Generating Autoclave to include design, manufacture, supply, delivery, installation, commissioning and a one year warranty.

UKRI is seeking to appoint a supplier for the supply of a scientific mooring hoist for the RRS Sir David Attenborough vessel at the British Antarctic Survey. The SDA supports scientific moorings, thus NERC/BAS need the ability to deploy and recover scientific mooring from on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA). To do so, a special purpose build scientific mooring winch is needed.

The ISIS Neutron and Muon Source Facility, part of UKRI’s Science and Technology Facilities Council, are looking to procure a replacement three-phase Alternating Current (AC) Magnet Power Supply System to make up the losses in a resonant magnet circuit. The requirement is for a modular 1200 kVA three-phase AC voltage source power supply that includes a control system capable of regulating the designated magnet load current to a given setpoint and to a high level of stability. It is important to emphasise that the magnet load current to be regulated is not the same as the AC power supply output current and the measurement signal for the load current will be provided by the facility in the form of a DCCT with a -10/+10 V signal representative of the load circuit current. The three-phase output shall have a variable voltage output from 0 V to 250 V line-neutral and an output voltage accuracy of ±50 mV. The system shall be fed from a nominal 400 Vrms AC, 3-phase 50 Hz sinusoidal supply, intrinsically safe by design, with high efficiency, high reliability, high maintainability and fully compliant and marked with relevant standards.

Fire engineer to provide a campus-wide approach to fire safety design and strategy across all STFC buildings at multiple sites

UK Research and Innovation–Science and Technology Facilities Council (UKRI-STFC) manages a diverse scientific estate supported by an established in-house maintenance and design team. UKRI-STFC is undertaking pre-market engagement to inform a future procurement for a suitably qualified and experienced supplier to deliver civil engineering, groundworks and associated services. The services will be commissioned through individual call-off task orders and may include planned, reactive and project works, asset replacement, and works supporting future developments. The contract will principally cover the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire and The Cosener’s House in Abingdon, with provision to include other UKRI-managed sites. The successful supplier will be expected to work safely alongside UKRI-STFC’s in-house team within operational scientific environments, delivering high-quality services, asset reliability and value for money. The anticipated contract term is three years, with an option to extend for a further year (3+1 years).

UKRI wishes to contract a supplier for a DFT programme monitoring and evaluation. Currently 3 programmes are in scope with a contract duration of 4 years and an estimated value of £181,000.00 excluding VAT. However there is a potential for more programmes to be added as options within the 4 years duration at an additional estimated value of £150,000.00 excluding VAT.

UKRI-6251 Cyber Security – Managed Service and Detection Response & Security Operations Centre service. A Cyber Security provider to deliver collaborative SOC services, working with the existing STFC cyber security team.

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.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is undertaking pre market engagement to inform the potential development of a multi supplier framework agreement covering a range of optical components and assemblies.

UKRI is seeking to appoint a supplier for the design, manufacture & delivery of Fuel Tanks for the British Antarctic Survey.

UKRI are looking to source an enhanced capability single-photon counting confocal microscope. The proposed system we are seeking should have the technical ability of a complex home-built system but usability of commercial microscope. The system will be used to measure dynamics of biomolecules in solution in the pico-second to nanosecond timeframe at the single-molecule level.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is establishing a multi-supplier framework agreement for the provision of lasers and associated components. This framework will appoint a pre-qualified supplier base and enable contracts to be awarded through further competition and direct awards.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is looking to establish a contract for a period of up to four years for the supply and associated services of microscopy equipment for potentially multiple suppliers on multiple lots. This will be across all of our locations including Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Didcot and Daresbury Laboratory in Warrington. To support the development and shaping of this upcoming requirement, UKRI is seeking input from the market. Suppliers are therefore invited to complete a questionnaire to help inform the structure and scope of the future contract. If you are interested in participating, please email [email protected] with the subject line “UKRI-5804 Microscopy Equipment Questionnaire” to request a copy of the questionnaire. A copy will then be issued for completion. Completed questionnaires should be returned by 10th August 2026. The total for this requirement is £9,000,000.00 excluding VAT however please be aware that this value is an estimate and not guaranteed.