Official UK procurement notice
Managed Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Incident Response Services Agreement
Authority: NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionUKNNL is seeking to procure a Managed Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Incident Response service to enhance its cyber security capability and support the protection of its IT estate, digital assets, and sensitive information.
UKNNL requires a new partner to manage its Security Operations Centre, to monitor, detect, respond to, and remediate cyber threats across its network. The SOC incorporates people, process, and technology to provide a detect-and-respond capability that better protects the Authority's digital assets and data.
The requirement is for a comprehensive Security Operations Centre service, delivering 24/7 monitoring, incident detection, incident response, digital forensic investigation, threat intelligence, and SOC management services. The service will support the identification, analysis, containment, and escalation of cybersecurity threats and incidents affecting the environment, whilst continuously improving security operations and response maturity.
- How the procedure runs: The procurement will be conducted using the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. The procedure will comprise three mandatory stages and one optional negotiation stage. Suppliers will be assessed through the following stages: Stage 1: Procurement Specification Questionnaire (Shortlisting) Deadline: 17th August 2026 Suppliers will be assessed against UKNNL's technical and service requirements. The five highest-scoring suppliers will progress to Stage 2. In the event of a tie affecting progression to Stage 2, the tie-break methodology set out within the procurement documentation will apply. Stage 2: Supplier Demonstration and Presentation Indicative dates: 24th - 25th August 2026 Suppliers progressing from Stage 1 will be invited to participate in a demonstration and presentation to assess their capability to deliver the Managed Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Incident Response Services Agreement. This stage will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. Suppliers achieving a Pass will progress to Stage 3. Stage 3: Final Tender Submission ITT issue date: 28th August 2026 Tender return date: 22nd September 2026 Suppliers progressing from Stage 2 will be invited to submit a final tender. Full details of the evaluation methodology, award criteria and weightings will be contained within the Invitation to Tender documentation. Stage 4: Negotiation (Optional) UKNNL reserves the right to undertake negotiations with the highest-ranked supplier following completion of Stage 3.
CPV: IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support · Security services · Security software package
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£2,500,000
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial conditions of participation are set out within the Procurement Specification Questionnaire (PSQ) and associated procurement documentation.
- Technical & professional ability
The technical capability requirements for this procurement are detailed within the Procurement Specification Questionnaire (PSQ). Suppliers should refer to the procurement documentation for the full participation requirements and evaluation approach.
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
- Commercial Evaluation
- Technical Evaluation
- Social Value
- Economic & financial standing
Full details of the legal and financial conditions of participation are set out within the Procurement Specification Questionnaire (PSQ) and associated procurement documentation.
- Technical & professional ability
The technical capability requirements for this procurement are detailed within the Procurement Specification Questionnaire (PSQ). Suppliers should refer to the procurement documentation for the full participation requirements and evaluation approach.
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
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 21 May 2026, 09:10 BST
- Last source update
- 23 Jul 2026, 19:29 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 20 Aug 2026
- Authority reference
NNLC748- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-069975- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-069e64Find a Tender
- How it runs
The procurement will be conducted using the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023.
The procedure will comprise three mandatory stages and one optional negotiation stage. Suppliers will be assessed through the following stages:
Stage 1: Procurement Specification Questionnaire (Shortlisting)
Deadline: 17th August 2026
Suppliers will be assessed against UKNNL's technical and service requirements. The five highest-scoring suppliers will progress to Stage 2. In the event of a tie affecting progression to Stage 2, the tie-break methodology set out within the procurement documentation will apply.
Stage 2: Supplier Demonstration and Presentation
Indicative dates: 24th - 25th August 2026
Suppliers progressing from Stage 1 will be invited to participate in a demonstration and presentation to assess their capability to deliver the Managed Security Operations Centre (SOC) and Incident Response Services Agreement. This stage will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. Suppliers achieving a Pass will progress to Stage 3.
Stage 3: Final Tender Submission
ITT issue date: 28th August 2026
Tender return date: 22nd September 2026
Suppliers progressing from Stage 2 will be invited to submit a final tender. Full details of the evaluation methodology, award criteria and weightings will be contained within the Invitation to Tender documentation.
Stage 4: Negotiation (Optional)
UKNNL reserves the right to undertake negotiations with the highest-ranked supplier following completion of Stage 3.
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 17 Aug 2026, 10:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 10 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
This procurement will be conducted electronically via the ProContract eTendering Portal. All communications, clarification questions, document exchanges and tender submissions must be submitted through the portal.
Suppliers wishing to participate must be registered on the ProContract eTendering Portal and follow the instructions contained within the procurement documentation. The Procurement Specification Questionnaire (PSQ) and subsequent procurement documents will be issued through the portal in accordance with the Competitive Flexible Procedure described within this notice.
Access to the procurement documents is available via the following link: procontract.due-north.com/Advert ↗
Suppliers are responsible for ensuring their organisation is registered on the Government Central Digital Platform (CDP) and that registration information remains accurate and up to date throughout the procurement process.
Timeline
21 May 2026 → 1 Nov 2026 · 7 dates- Planning notice published159 days ago21 May 2026, 09:10 BST
- Market engagement143 days ago5 Jun 2026, 23:59 BST
UKNNL will be holding a virtual market engagement event on Friday 5th June at 10:00am.
This session will provide an overview of the proposed service scope, delivery model, and procurement approach, and will give suppliers an opportunity to better understand UKNNL's requirements and provide feedback.
Suppliers interested in attending should confirm their attendance by emailing gemma.slocombe@uknnl.com, and a Microsoft Teams invitation will be issued.
Due to the anticipated level of supplier interest, please allow 48-72 hours for a response to enquiries and registration requests.
All information presented during the session will be shared as part of the tender pack for those unable to attend.
- Tender notice published96 days ago23 Jul 2026, 19:29 BST
- Clarification questions by77 days ago10 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
- Submission deadline71 days ago17 Aug 2026, 10:00 BST
- Award decision expected by67 days ago20 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
- Today27 Oct 2026
- Contract startsin 4 days1 Nov 2026
Notice history
6 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 21 May 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published21 May 2026, 09:10 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published23 Jul 2026, 19:29 BSTUK4
- Published value published: £2,500,00023 Jul 2026, 19:29 BST
- Status changed to active23 Jul 2026, 19:29 BST
- Procurement method changed23 Jul 2026, 19:29 BST
- Deadline published: 17 Aug 2026, 10:00 BST23 Jul 2026, 19:29 BST
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender