Award

UKRI-5616 Quantum Technology Access Programme

  • UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

UK5: Transparency notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-001057

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0600f7 (view related notices)

Published 7 January 2026, 12:57pm



Scope

Reference

UKRI-5616

Description

The NQCC intends to sponsor Digital Catapult’s Quantum Technology Access Programme (QTAP) which they have successfully developed and run for two years running. The QTAP is a structured training and innovation programme that allows participating organisations to learn about how to program quantum computers, and experiment with use cases that are of strategic interest to them through testing solutions on real quantum hardware. The Digital Catapult has developed and run this programme in conjunction with technology from Orca Computing, a UK-headquartered company.


Contract 1. UKRI-5616 Quantum Technology Access Programme

Supplier

Contract value

  • £330,000 excluding VAT
  • £396,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Earliest date the contract will be signed

19 January 2026

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 20 January 2026 to 19 January 2027
  • 1 year

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 79000000 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

Contract locations

  • UKJ14 - Oxfordshire

Participation

Particular suitability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)


Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes


Procedure

Procedure type

Direct award

Direct award justification

  • Single supplier - intellectual property or exclusive rights
  • Single supplier - technical reasons

The procurement is limited to a single supplier due to technical reasons and the need for compatibility with existing systems. Engaging an alternative provider would result in disproportionate technical difficulties and operational risks. Additionally, the supplier holds exclusive rights, including intellectual property protections.


Supplier

DIGITAL CATAPULT

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZVR-7441-DNXP

Level 9, 101 Euston Road

London

NW1 2RA

United Kingdom

Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Contract 1. UKRI-5616 Quantum Technology Access Programme


Contracting authority

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDQJ-7126-JDHG

Polaris House

Swindon, Wiltshire

SN2 1FL

United Kingdom

Contact name: STFCProcurement

Telephone: +441793442000

Email: stfcprocurement@ukri.org

Website: https://www.ukri.org/

Region: UKK14 - Swindon

Organisation type: Public authority - central government