Scope
Reference
PS25322
Description
RICHeS seeks to gather evidence to better understand the heritage and conservation science workforce, the sector's composition, and the current labour market challenges and opportunities. This study should assess the current capacity and capability of the workforce. For the purpose of this report, capacity is defined as the current size of the workforce and the scale of its ability to conduct heritage and conservation science activities. Capability is defined as the combination of processes, tools, skills and behaviours of the workforce in relation to its ability to undertake and complete heritage and conservation science activities. The survey should complement existing workforce analyses to further our understanding of ends over time and promote a sustainable methodology, which ensures its value to future research in this area. The proposed budget is no more than £100,000 excluding VAT.
Total value (estimated)
- £100,000 excluding VAT
- £120,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 11 March 2026 to 28 December 2026
- Possible extension to 11 January 2028
- 1 year, 10 months, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
2 Week optional extension with no extra budget available
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79310000 - Market research services
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
26 January 2026, 11:00am
Tender submission deadline
4 February 2026, 11:00am
Submission address and any special instructions
DO NOT APPLY DIRECTLY TO BUYER
All submissions will be assessed in accordance with the Public Procurement Regulations that apply to this opportunity.
Responses must be received by the date and time in the tender documentation; responses received outside of the deadline or not sent via the Jaggaer eSourcing portal will not be accepted or considered by the Contracting Authority further for this opportunity, unless a system outage is experienced, to which the Contracting Authority will advise upon accordingly. Interested organisations should ensure that they allow a sufficiency of time, prior to the deadline to allow all sections to be completed in full and any attachments to be uploaded.
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Please note it is your organisations responsibility to access these messages on a regular basis to ensure you have sight of all relevant information applicable to this opportunity.
The Contracting Authority expressly reserves the right:
i. not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; and
ii. to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the procurement; and under no circumstances as part of your organisations participation in this opportunity, will the Contracting Authority be liable for any costs incurred by any organisation as a result. If the Contracting Authority decides to enter into a contract with any successful organisation(s), this does not mean that there is any guarantee of subsequent contracts being awarded. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of your organisation in doing so.
About UK Shared Business Services
UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) brings a commercial attitude to the public sector; helping our contracting authorities to improve efficiency, generate savings and modernise.
Where UK SBS is not named as the Contracting Authority within the documentation, UK SBS will be acting as an agent on behalf of the Contracting Authority.
Our broad range of expert services is shared by our customers. This allows our customers the freedom to focus resources on core activities; innovating and transforming their own organisations.
For full details of our partner base please review the following link: http://www.uksbs.co.uk/services/procure/contracts/Pages/default.aspx
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
Most advantageous valid submission
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Contracting authority
UKRI
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDQJ-7126-JDHG
Polaris House
Swindon
SN2 1FL
United Kingdom
Email: Commercial@ukri.org
Region: UKK14 - Swindon
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
Other organisation
These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.
UK Shared Business services
Summary of their role in this procurement: UK Shared Business services
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMPN-7535-GNTG
Polaris House
Swindon
SN2 1FF
United Kingdom
Region: UKK14 - Swindon