UKRI-5782 Low Cost Low Velocity Aerial Delivery System

Authority: UK Research and Innovation (Central government)

Direct awardSME suitableVCSE suitable

Sectors: Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products (39) Delivery: UK

Budget not disclosedValue not published

Awarded 21 Apr 2026no call for competition

Awarded to Niche Inc2 awards

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The purpose of this contract is for the supply of Low Cost Low Velocity Aerial Delivery Systems for use in Antarctica. This is awarded in line with Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023.

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published

Lot #1AwardedSMEVCSE

Delivery: UKEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible

39523000 Parachutes

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record

Procedure method: Direct award
Legal basis: UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Notice status: Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold: Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime: Standard
Commercial structure: Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type: Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered: Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement: Unspecified in notice
First published: 21 Apr 2026, 14:07 BST
Last source update: 12 May 2026, 20:49 BST
Authority reference: C1092
FTS notice number: 2026/S 000-043675
Latest notice: Contract details notice (UK7)
Delivery area: UK
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06876f Find a Tender

Why no open competition: Single Suppliers Technical Reasons
Published justification: Competition absent on grounds of technical reasoning. No other supplier able to meet requirements of the contract.

Review and risk notes

Risks: Risk of delayed delivery.

How it was run

Official notice

Submission deadline: —

Timeline

30 Apr 2026 → 12 May 2026 · 2 dates

Standstill ends177 days ago
30 Apr 2026, 23:59 BST
Notice published165 days ago
12 May 2026, 20:49 BST

Notice history

4 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 21 Apr 2026

Transparency notice published
21 Apr 2026, 14:07 BST
UK5
Contract award notice published
21 Apr 2026, 14:16 BST
UK6
Contract signature expected
4 May 2026, 23:59 BST
scheduled
Contract details notice published
12 May 2026, 20:49 BST
UK7

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast

Awards 2

Contracts signed 1latest 5 May 2026

Awarded to	Value	Date	Status
Niche Inc5 May 2026 – 31 Dec 2026 · up to 30 Apr 2027Extensions: Extensions available in case of delays to delivery.	US$453,750same award published again · counted once	21 Apr 2026standstill to 30 Apr 2026	Standstill
Niche Inc	US$453,750 †	—	Awarded

Contracts

UKRI-5782 Low Cost Low Velocity Aerial Delivery System · Niche Inc
Signed
5 May 2026
Value
US$453,750
Period
6 May 2026 – 31 Oct 2026 · up to 31 Dec 2026 with extensions
Status
active
Extensions
Extension to allow for delayed usage of equipment due to weather abnormalities.
No agreed KPIs: Not required for contract.

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central government GB-PPON: PDQJ-7126-JDHG Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire, South West, SN2 1FLContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice

Niche IncAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PYCV-2354-RCZJ 84 Gifford Street New Bredford, New Bredford, US, 02744, USContact email

Official documents & specifications (3)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender12 May 2026, 20:49 BST
Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender21 Apr 2026, 14:16 BST
Transparency notice awardTransparency noticeUK5Transparency notice on Find a Tender21 Apr 2026, 14:07 BST