Data Services for REF 2029

{
  "id": "073578-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2026-08-04T11:25:48+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-06dae8",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PDQJ-7126-JDHG",
    "name": "UK Research and Innovation"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "DDaT26374",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2030-04-30T23:59:59+01:00",
          "startDate": "2027-01-01T00:00:00Z"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "72300000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Data services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Data Services for REF 2029",
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2029 team seeks a provider to provide research output data, metadata and related services required for REF 2029. The service must integrate with REF 2029 submission and assessment systems and support classification, validation, assessment allocation and audit of submitted outputs.\nREF 2029 is expected to handle a volume of research outputs comparable to REF 2021 (approximately 200,000 outputs). The requirement is therefore for a robust, automated and scalable service covering bibliographic matching, metadata provision, citation data, provision of versions of record, and associated support for audit and eligibility checking.\nThe REF is the system for assessing research excellence in UK higher education institutions. The next exercise will conclude in 2029. \nREF 2029 submissions will be made to up to 34 units of assessment and assessed by expert sub-panels using peer review. Submission components include research outputs, disciplinary-level evidence statements, impact case studies and environment information.\nThe services will support two operational phases: the submission phase, in which outputs are classified and validated, and the assessment phase, in which outputs are allocated to reviewers, supporting materials are supplied, and audit analysis is undertaken.\nThrough this notice, the Buyer is seeking to understand the current market's capability and appetite in relation to the requirement.\n•\tAssess whether suppliers can deliver the requirement and to identify suitable  framework and relevant lot.\n•\tDetermine the level of supplier interest in bidding should a formal tender be issued.\n•\tHelp the Buyer to understand indicative costs and approaches available within the market.\n•\tGather market insight to support the refinement and development of the specification and procurement strategy.\nSuppliers are invited to provide information on their capabilities, proposed approach, and any considerations that may assist the buyer in shaping the future tender requirement.\nTo Access the full specification draft document which provide further details on the requirement, please contact ddatprocurement@uksbs.co.uk, referencing DDaT26374- Data Services for REF 2029 pre market engagement so that we can issue you the Document together with the Validation Questions. \nWithin the RFI Document it details the indicative timelines for the procurement process.\nPlease note that the route to market remains undecided at this stage. It is expected that this pre-market engagement will provide valuable insights to help determine the most appropriate route to market.",
    "aboveThreshold": true,
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PDQJ-7126-JDHG",
      "name": "UK Research and Innovation",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKK14",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Swindon",
        "postalCode": "SN2 1FL",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Polaris House, North Star Avenue"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PDQJ-7126-JDHG",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "commercial@ukri.org"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PMPN-7535-GNTG",
      "name": "UK Shared Business Services Ltd",
      "roles": [
        "procuringEntity",
        "processContactPoint"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKK14",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Swindon",
        "postalCode": "SN2 1FF",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Polaris House, North Star Avenue"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PMPN-7535-GNTG",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "roleDetails": "shared service provider",
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "ddatprocurement@uksbs.co.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "073578-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/073578-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-08-04T11:25:48+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-08-19T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "The Contracting Authority UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) would like to conduct pre-market engagement.\nAs part of this information gathering exercise, we have developed a series of questions to ascertain the capability, the capacity and the appetite of the current market and would welcome your responses.\nPlease contact ddatprocurement@uksbs.co.uk, referencing DDaT26374 Data Services for REF 2029 - pre market engagement to access the requirement detail and questions. \nDue to the timeframe required, please ensure to complete the validation questions before 14:00 hrs on 19th August 2026."
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}