Scope
Reference
UKSAC25_0088
Description
The UK is committed to advancing its leadership in space-enabled manufacturing, as outlined in the Space Industrial Plan (March 2024). In-Orbit Manufacturing (IOM) is one subset of the wider In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) market. Investing in ISAM allows the UK to exploit early investments to become leaders in the market. The UK has developed the essential building blocks for ISAM, but we need to act now to secure our competitive advantage.
In-Orbit Manufacturing (IOM) represents a transformative opportunity to produce materials and products in space that offer superior quality and performance compared to those manufactured on Earth. By overcoming terrestrial limitations, IOM can unlock new markets and drive innovation across multiple sectors.
This procurement is structured into two Lots to address distinct terrestrial applications:
• Lot 1: In-Orbit Manufacturing for terrestrial healthcare or medical applications
• Lot 2: In-Orbit Manufacturing for other terrestrial applications
Applicants may apply to only one Lot and submit a single application. Each Lot will fund a feasibility study (Phase 0/A) to assess the technical and commercial viability of delivering an In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) mission in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), in accordance with UKSA's mission requirements (see Annex F).
The competition aims to:
• Demonstrate the technical feasibility of in-orbit manufacturing processes in LEO for the selected application area
• Mature key payload and manufacturing technologies relevant to the chosen Lot
• Evaluate suitable mission architectures and operational concepts for demonstration
• Identify and assess risks, constraints, and enabling technologies
• Develop a credible route to market, including engagement with end users and stakeholders
Projects must address the high-risk, high-cost environment of in-orbit technology testing and provide evidence of engagement with end users to demonstrate commercial potential. Proposals should detail intended customer groups, integrators, and suppliers, and present a comprehensive management approach, including Work Package Descriptions (WPDs) and a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for both Phase 0 and Phase A. Applications must demonstrate compatibility against the mission requirements (Annex F) and ability to deliver the tasks set out below (Section 5). You should elaborate and critique these tasks, identifying any additional suitable activities (with justification).
This competition aims to fund two studies.
This notice relates to the intended procurement for a contract which is an exempted contract under s 3(6) and Schedule 2, Part 2 (Subject-matter exempted contracts), paragraph 22 (Research and Development Services) of the Procurement Act 2023 (the 'Act'). Exempted contracts are not a public contract as defined in s3 of the Act and therefore are not required to be procured in accordance with the provisions of the Act that relate to a covered procurement.
Total value (estimated)
- £600,000 excluding VAT
- £720,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 8 December 2025 to 31 March 2026
- 3 months, 24 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 34712000 - Spacecraft, satellites and launch vehicles
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot constraints
Maximum number of lots a supplier can bid for: 1
Maximum number of lots a supplier can be awarded: 1
Lot 1. In-Orbit Manufacturing for terrestrial healthcare or medical applications
Description
In-Orbit Manufacturing (IOM) for terrestrial use shall be interpreted as:
The process of creating products or materials in space that are intended for use on Earth, often leveraging the unique conditions of space to enhance their quality or properties.
Proposals under this lot must be related to In-Orbit Manufacturing for terrestrial healthcare or medical applications
Lot value (estimated)
- £300,000 excluding VAT
- £360,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. In-Orbit Manufacturing for other terrestrial applications
Description
In-Orbit Manufacturing (IOM) for terrestrial use shall be interpreted as:
The process of creating products or materials in space that are intended for use on Earth, often leveraging the unique conditions of space to enhance their quality or properties.
Proposals under this lot must be related to In-Orbit Manufacturing for terrestrial use other than healthcare or medical applications
Lot value (estimated)
- £300,000 excluding VAT
- £360,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. In-Orbit Manufacturing for terrestrial healthcare or medical applications
Lot 2. In-Orbit Manufacturing for other terrestrial applications
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
21 November 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
1 December 2025, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
If you wish to submit an application for this procurement, please email commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk, with "UKSAC25_0088 IOM Phase 0-A Studies" as the subject line.
Provide at least two contact email addresses in your email.
You will be emailed a link to a SharePoint folder to which you must upload your application. It is strongly recommended that you test this link on receipt by uploading a test file. You may email the commercial mailbox to request confirmation that a test file has been successfully uploaded.
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
5 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | This is an exempt procurement and publication of this information in a notice on the find a tender service is not required. |
Quality |
Weighting description
This notice relates to the intended procurement for a contract which is an exempted contract under s 3(6) and Schedule 2, Part 2 (Subject-matter exempted contracts), paragraph 22 (Research and Development Services) of the Procurement Act 2023 (the 'Act'). Exempted contracts are not a public contract as defined in s3 of the Act and therefore are not required to be procured in accordance with the provisions of the Act that relate to a covered procurement.
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Documents
Associated tender documents
Contracts for Innovation - In-Orbit Manufacturing Phase 0-A Studies.pdf
Competition Guidance Notes
Annex A - CfI Contract Template.docx
Annex A: Contracts for Innovation Terms and Conditions
Annex B - UKSA CfI Additional Guidance.pdf
Annex B: UKSA Contracts for Innovation Additional Guidance
Annex C - CfI Finance Sheet.xlsx
Annex C: Contracts for Innovation Finance Sheet
Annex D - Evaluation Criteria.pdf
Annex D: Evaluation Criteria
Annex E - IP Declaration.docx
Annex E: IP Declaration
Annex F - IOD IOM Requirements.xlsx
Annex F: IOD IOM Requirements
Annex G -Application Form Template.docx
Annex G: Application Form Template
Contracting authority
UK Space Agency
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRTY-4245-MTJY
Quad Two Building 1st Floor, Rutherford Avenue, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Didcot
OX11 0DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government