Contract

Non-Terrestrial Networks & Spectrum Monitoring & Testing

  • University of Bristol

F03: Contract award notice

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-004857

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04de72

Published 13 February 2025, 9:37am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

University of Bristol

4th Floor, Augustine's Courtyard, Orchard Lane

Bristol

BS1 5DS

Email

helen.warren@bristol.ac.uk

Telephone

+44 01179289000

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.bristol.ac.uk

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Education


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Non-Terrestrial Networks & Spectrum Monitoring & Testing

Reference number

IT-2407-098-PC_2805

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 32412000 - Communications network

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

The University of Bristol JOINER project has a requirement for Network Monitoring and Testing platforms for use by researchers using the JOINER testbed. Contract's have been awarded via the CCS Spark DPS, as the highest ranked supplier after conducting a mini-competition.

Lot 1 Non-Terrestrial Networks Monitoring & Testing

Lot 2 – Spectrum Monitoring & Testing Systems

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)

Value excluding VAT: £7,000,000

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Non-Terrestrial Networks Monitoring & Testing

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 32412000 - Communications network

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKK11 - Bristol, City of

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The key project objective for Lot 1 is the creation of a sophisticated emulation platform for facilitating the experiment of NTN systems and their integration with their terrestrial counterparts in future network systems like 6G. Representative examples of testing scopes may include, but are not limited to the following:

Mobility management both within NTN and between NTN and terrestrial network (TN) components

Spectrum management between NTN and TN networks

Traffic steering and routing optimisation techniques

Network function disaggregation options and service function chaining solutions

Capabilities of hosting network and application functions by NTN components

Energy efficiency in NTN systems

AI-empowered end-to-end management and orchestration solutions

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two.2.5) Award criteria

Cost criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 80

Cost criterion - Name: Commercial / Weighting: 20

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Future expansion of capability and JOINER expansion. Extension of contract grant funded permitting.

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Spectrum Monitoring Systems

Lot No

2a

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 32412000 - Communications network

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The overall objective of Lots 2 is to create a national research infrastructure to allow researchers to analyse, emulate and enhance the compatibility of large-scale wireless systems which share spectrum in order to inform policymakers, regulators and users of the radio spectrum.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Cost criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 80

Cost criterion - Name: Commercial ` / Weighting: 20

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Future expansion of capability and JOINER expansion. Extension of contract grant funded permitting.

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Spectrum Emulation Systems

Lot No

2d

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 32412000 - Communications network

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The overall objective of Lots 2 is to create a national research infrastructure to allow researchers to analyse, emulate and enhance the compatibility of large-scale wireless systems which share spectrum in order to inform policymakers, regulators and users of the radio spectrum.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Cost criterion - Name: Technical / Weighting: 80

Cost criterion - Name: Commercial / Weighting: 20

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Future expansion of capability and JOINER expansion. Extension of contract grant funded permitting.

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below

  • No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to restricted procedure

Explanation:

Calling Off RM6094 Spark The Technology Innovation Marketplace DPS Framework

- Lot 1 Non-Terrestrial Networks Monitoring & Testing

- Lot 2a – Spectrum Monitoring Systems

- Lot 2d – Spectrum Emulation Systems

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

IT-2407-098-PC_2805

Lot No

Lot 1

Title

Non-Terrestrial Networks Monitoring & Testing

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

12 February 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 3

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

Keysight Technologies UK Ltd

RG41 5TP

Wokingham

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £3,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

IT-2407-098-PC_2805

Lot No

Lot 2a

Title

Spectrum Monitoring Systems

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

12 February 2025

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 3

Number of tenders received by electronic means: 3

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

CRFS LTD

CB23 7FW

Cambridge

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

Yes

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £2,000,000


Section five. Award of contract

Contract No

IT-2407-098-PC_2805

Lot No

Lot 2d

Title

Spectrum Emulation Systems

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

19 December 2024

five.2.2) Information about tenders

Number of tenders received: 2

The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No

five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor

National Instruments Corp. U.K. Ltd

RG7 4SA

Reading

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME

No

five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)

Total value of the contract/lot: £2,000,000


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

The University of Bristol

Bristol

Country

United Kingdom