Find a TenderAwardedContract details notice
Published 12 Feb 2026, 12:49 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

"Airlock" Output Checking System OCS Decision Engine Development Partner

Official notice

Authority: UK Biobank Ltd (Public body)·Consortium: 2 public authorities

ServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdSME suitable
Published estimate£2,000,000≈ £667k / year · £2,400,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 17 Apr 2026awarded 22 May 2026
Awarded to Kainos Software Limited
Contract term 3 yrsends 30 Jul 2029 · up to 30 Jul 2032 with extensions · starts 31 Jul 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

UKB is seeking to further improve its technical controls and intends to implement a functional mechanism to check data egress requests

to ensure that participant record-level data is not being removed and does not contain information that can identify individual

participants. This Output Checking System (OCS) functionality will allow UKB to enhance the security of the UKB-RAP, reduce the

risk of advertent and inadvertent data breaches and importantly increase the trust and transparency of the UKB resource. UKB intends

to commence a procurement exercise to procure a replacement for the current UKB-RAP in 2027, which will come into effect in 2028.

The OCS will need to be integrated with the new UKB-RAP.

To develop and deliver the OCS, UKB is separating the procurement into two elements which will need to be fully interoperable:

  1. OCS User Interface (UI) and Workflow (subject to a separate tender exercise completed via the CCS G-Cloud 14 framework): The

development of a seamless UI and Workflow for the OCS, including secure movement of data and integration with existing UKB

infrastructure.

  1. The OCS Decision Engine (this procurement): The development of the core algorithms to allow an automated assessment of the data

being egressed, giving an overall confidence assessment score and a Red/Amber/Green (RAG) rating for decision making

The OCS Decision Engine is made up of two components:

  1. Data Trust Engine: reviews the egressed file(s) from UKB-RAP to detect the presence of sensitive information. Through the

application of transparent, heuristic rules and configurable thresholds, the Data Trust Engine will create a score for how 'disclosive' the

egressed data is that, when coupled with the researcher confidence score below, provides a Red (fail), Amber (unclear) or Green (pass)

egress rating.

  1. Researcher Behaviour Engine: derives the overall credibility of a given researcher within AMS and UKB-RAP, and assigns a

confidence score, which will dictate how human-review decisions are made for 'Amber' outcomes from the Trust Engine.

This procurement relates to a development partner to design and deliver the OCS Decision Engine, which will include the Data Trust

Engine and Researcher Behaviour Engine.

  • The evaluation was concluded and a decision to award was made on Friday 22 May 2026
  • UK Biobank has provided an assessment summary to each supplier on Friday 19 June 2026
  • The standstill period ran until midnight on 30 June 2026
  • How the procedure runs: Bidders must submit a PSQ Response and submit an Initial Bid, in response to the ITN. The top three highest ranking Bidders based on the evaluation of the Initial Bids will be taken forward to the Negotiation Stage of the Procurement. UKB reserves the right to take forward the fourth highest ranking Bidder if its score is within 5% of the score of the Bidder in third place

CPV: IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1AwardedRenewal 3 yrsSMEPublished value£2,000,000
Contract period: 31 Jul 2026 – 30 Jul 2029 (3 yrs) · up to 30 Jul 2032 with extensionsValue: £2,000,000 exc. VAT · £2,400,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: North WestEligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: The initial term for the Contract will be three (3) years, with the option for UKB to extend the contract by up to a further three (3) year period (1+1+1), i.e. up to a maximum total term of six (6) years (inclusive of the initial term)

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored
Quality: 60%Price: 30%Social value: 10%
Published sub-criteria (9)
  • Technical Requirements: Output Checking System and Decision Engine: 5%
  • Technical Requirements: Data Trust Engine: 25%
  • Technical Requirements: Researcher Behaviour Engine: 10%
  • Technical Requirements: Non-Functional Requirements: 5%
  • Technical Requirements: DevOps Capability: 5%
  • Implementation: Timescales, Milestones, and Ways of Working: 10%
  • Price: Decision Engine Development and Implementation Charges: 20%
  • Price: Rate Cards: 10%
  • Social Value: Equal Opportunity: 10%
Published award criteria (9)
  • Technical Requirements: Output Checking System and Decision Engine: Output Checking System and Decision Engine
  • Technical Requirements: Data Trust Engine: Data Trust Engine
  • Technical Requirements: Researcher Behaviour Engine: Researcher Behaviour Engine
  • Technical Requirements: Non-Functional Requirements: Non-Functional Requirements
  • Technical Requirements: DevOps Capability: DevOps Capability
  • Implementation: Timescales, Milestones, and Ways of Working: Timescales, Milestones, and Ways of Working
  • Social Value: Equal Opportunity: Equal Opportunity
  • Price: Decision Engine Development and Implementation Charges: Decision Engine Development and Implementation Charges
  • Price: Rate Cards: Rate Cards
What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
12 Feb 2026, 12:49 GMT
Last source update
28 Aug 2026, 14:59 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 10 Jul 2026
Authority reference
UKB0025
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-012869
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
Delivery area
North West (UKD)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-064efd Find a Tender
How it runs

Bidders must submit a PSQ Response and submit an Initial Bid, in response to the ITN. The top three highest ranking Bidders based on the evaluation of the Initial Bids will be taken forward to the Negotiation Stage of the Procurement. UKB reserves the right to take forward the fourth highest ranking Bidder if its score is within 5% of the score of the Bidder in third place

How it was run

Official notice
Submission deadline
17 Apr 2026, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
12 Mar 2026, 17:00 GMT
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

12 Feb 2026 → 28 Aug 2026 · 7 dates
  1. Tender notice published253 days ago
    12 Feb 2026, 12:49 GMT
  2. Clarification questions by225 days ago
    12 Mar 2026, 17:00 GMT
  3. Submission deadline189 days ago
    17 Apr 2026, 12:00 BST
  4. Assessment summaries sent126 days ago
    19 Jun 2026, 00:00 BST
  5. Award decision expected by104 days ago
    10 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
  6. Contract starts84 days ago
    31 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
  7. Latest notice published56 days ago
    28 Aug 2026, 14:59 BST

Notice history

9 events · 5 releases on Find a Tender · since 12 Feb 2026
  1. Tender notice published
    12 Feb 2026, 12:49 GMT
    UK4
  2. Tender notice published
    16 Feb 2026, 15:18 GMT
    UK4
  3. Tender notice published
    17 Mar 2026, 10:05 GMT
    UK4
  4. Deadline moved to 17 Apr 2026, 12:00 BST
    17 Mar 2026, 10:05 GMT
    +15 days · was 2 Apr 2026, 12:00 BST
  5. Contract award notice published
    20 Jun 2026, 08:55 BST
    UK6
  6. Status changed to complete
    20 Jun 2026, 08:55 BST
  7. Buyer details updated
    20 Jun 2026, 08:55 BST
  8. Contract signature expected
    3 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled
  9. Contract details notice published
    28 Aug 2026, 14:59 BST
    UK7
Published amendments (2)

The description included in the Scope for this tender wrongly referenced "liquid handlers" : "The estimated contract value for the purchase of the Liquid Handlers and the provision of services as set out in this Contract Notice and for the duration described is anticipated to be £2m GBP" This was an error and reference to Liquid Handlers has now been removed and the Scope now says: The estimated c…

The submission deadline for initial bids has been extended following requests from potential bidders

Routine re-releases (5)
  • 2026-02: 2 releases · 12 Feb 2026, 16 Feb 2026

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £2,000,0001 award exc. VAT
Bids received 113 from SMEs
Contracts signed 1latest 20 Aug 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Kainos Software Limited3 Jul 2026 – 2 Jul 2029 · up to 2 Jul 2032Extensions: The initial term for the Contract will be three (3) years, with the option for UKB to extend the contract by up to a further three (3) year period (1+1+1), i.e. up to a maximum total term of six (6) years (inclusive of the initial term)£2,000,00022 May 2026Awarded

Contracts

  • Contract 1 · Kainos Software Limited

    Signed
    20 Aug 2026
    Value
    £2,000,000
    Period
    1 Sept 2026 – 31 Aug 2029 · up to 31 Aug 2032 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    The initial term for the Contract will be three (3) years, with the option for UKB to extend the contract by up to a further three (3) year period (1+1+1), i.e. up to a maximum total term of six (6) years (inclusive of the initial term)

    No agreed KPIs: Contract value is below £5m

Bid statistics published by the authority

BidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
11final-stage tenders30—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

2 public bodies on the notice

UK BIOBANK LIMITED

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-COH: 04978912 · GB-PPON: PXGY-4832-TWCN Units 1 & 2 Spectrum Way,, Stockport, North West, SK3 0SAContact email

Consortium members and other public bodies

  • UK Biobank LtdContracting authorityPublic undertakingGB-PPON: PXGY-4832-TWCN Stockport, North WestContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • KAINOS SOFTWARE LIMITEDAwarded supplierGB-COH: NI019370GB-PPON: PWJC-3739-RTLN Kainos House, 4-6 Upper Crescent, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 1NTContact email

Official documents & specifications (10)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender