Scope
Reference
UKRI-5448
Description
This is a transparency notice to inform the market that UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is renewing its contract with Elsevier for the provision of SciVal, a bibliometric analytics platform that supports research evaluation, strategic analysis and statutory review activities across multiple UKRI councils. The direct award is being made under Section 41 and paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 to justify the use of direct award in special cases on the basis that there is an absence of competition for technical reasons and there are no reasonable alternatives to those services or substitute exists. Elsevier's SciVal platform provides unique topic-modelling capabilities and long-established datasets that are integral to ongoing evaluations, including Quinquennial Reviews and major investment assessments. Changing supplier would result in significant incompatibility with existing methodologies, loss of longitudinal comparability, and disproportionate operational and financial burdens. This notice is published to ensure transparency prior to award.
Contract 1. UKRI-5448 2025 SciVal and Scopus renewal UKRI/EPSRC/STFC
Supplier
Contract value
- £128,278.70 excluding VAT
- £153,934.44 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
3 December 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 December 2025 to 30 November 2026
- Possible extension to 1 December 2026
- 11 months, 30 days
Description of possible extension:
Yearly extension if applicable
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72200000 - Software programming and consultancy services
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
- Single supplier - technical reasons
- Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
This direct award is made in accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, which permit such an award where competition is absent for technical reasons and no reasonable alternative or substitute exists, or where changing the supplier would result in incompatibility and introduce significant financial and operational burdens. In this case, the required goods/services are uniquely provided by the incumbent supplier due to proprietary systems and integration requirements. Transitioning to an alternative supplier would cause substantial disruption, incur disproportionate costs, and compromise continuity of service, thereby meeting the statutory criteria for a direct award.
Supplier
Elsevier B.V
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGHW-9864-HRDH
Radarweg 29 1043 NX Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam
1043 NX
Netherlands
Email: invoicing_emea@elsevier.com
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. UKRI-5448 2025 SciVal and Scopus renewal UKRI/EPSRC/STFC
Contracting authority
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDQJ-7126-JDHG
Polaris House
Swindon, Wiltshire
SN2 1FL
United Kingdom
Contact name: Corporate Procurement
Email: corporateprocurement@ukri.org
Website: https://www.ukri.org/
Region: UKK14 - Swindon
Organisation type: Public authority - central government