Scope
Reference
UKSAC25_0107
Description
Eligible organisations can apply for up to £100,000, excluding VAT, to research and develop initial proof of concepts for algorithms and similar solutions that directly improve the quality of data processing being undertaken within the BOREALIS system, contributing to enhanced analysis capabilities within NSpOC.
UKSA is likely to award multiple Contracts that meet its requirements within this competition, and further competitions may be opened subsequently to those who are successful within this competition for further development work on identified solutions.
This funding is from the UK Space Agency only and applicants should note this competition is wholly run and administered by the UK Space Agency.
Applicants should note that as BOREALIS is a sovereign UK capability and this work is to develop solutions that eventually can be deployed into use, this competition is restricted to UK registered companies on grounds of national security. For the avoidance of doubt, this can include UK-registered universities.
Full details are provided in the attached Competition Brief.
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)
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 12 January 2026 to 31 March 2026
- 2 months, 20 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72212100 - Industry specific software development services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
19 December 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
22 December 2025, 3:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
If you wish to submit an application for this procurement, please email commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk, with "UKSAC25_0107 NSpOC BOREALIS Algorithm Development" as the subject line by Friday 12th December.
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)
10 January 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proposed idea or technology | Proposals are expected to provide a description of your proposed solution, including details of which objectives (1-5) within the competition brief it addresses and how. |
Quality | 40% |
| Project Management | Proposals are expected to demonstrate they are well planned and connected to key milestones. They should be deliverable within the specified timeframe and projects should have an effective structure... |
Quality | 30% |
| Value for Money | All projects will need to demonstrate they represent value for money for the taxpayer. This is demonstrated by providing appropriate budgets allocated to appropriate tasks. Information from the... |
Quality | 20% |
| Benefit to the UK | All projects will need to demonstrate the investment sought from the UK Government represents clear value for the UK public through measurable benefits to the UK economy, supply chain and public. |
Quality | 10% |
Other information
Payment terms
Contracts for Innovation are targeted at Small and Medium Enterprises. Your completed budget spreadsheet should include details of proposed payment milestones. Should a payment at kick-off be preferred to facilitate cashflow, please request this in your application. UKSA will not agree to any payments at kick-off above 25% of total contract value.
Payment terms will be payment within 30 days of a valid invoice being accepted.
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Reduced tendering period
Yes
State of urgency - minimum 10 days
Documents
Associated tender documents
1.Contracts for Innovation - BOREALIS algorithm development.pdf
1. Competition Brief: contains details of the scope of the competition, evaluation criteria and how to apply.
Annex A - CfI Contract Template.docx
2. Annex A - Contracts for Innovation Model Contract: sets out details of the associated terms and conditions, which you agree to abide by if successful by submitting an application.
Annex B - UKSA CfI Additional Guidance.pdf
3. Annex B - Contracts for Innovation Additional Guidance: provides additional information about Contracts for Innovation requirements generally.
Annex C - CfI Finance Sheet.xlsx
4. Annex C - Finance Sheet. Please populate this and submit with a copy of your application form. Any applications submitted without a complete Annex C will be rejected.
Annex D - IP Declaration.docx
5. Annex D - IP Declaration. Please populate this and submit with a copy of your application form.
Annex E -Application Form Template.docx
6. Annex E - Application Form. Please complete based on the guidance provided in the competition brief and submit to the folder shared with you.
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