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Published 4 Mar 2026, 17:33 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Solent Freeport: Feasibility Study into Space Focused Infrastructure

Official notice

Authority: Portsmouth City Council (Local council)

ServicesBelow threshold - open competitionBelow thresholdSME suitable

Sectors: Architecture & Engineering (71)IT Services & Software (72)Research & Development (R&D) (73)

+1 more

Business Services & Consultancy (79)

Delivery: South East (UKJ31)

Published estimate£125,000£125,000 inc. VAT

Submissions closed 25 Mar 2026

Contract term 4 moends 31 Jul 2026 · up to 30 Sept 2026 with extensions · starts 8 Apr 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Portsmouth City Council on behalf of the Solent Freeport, as its accountable body is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced organisation to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study exploring the potential need, viability, optimal operating model, and most suitable location for space focused infrastructure.

This should include but not be limited to a Centre of Excellence for Electric Propulsion, Satellite Manufacturing or Satellite Communications in the Solent region. The outcomes of this study will inform future decision making, investment planning, and partnership development within the region.

The appointed supplier will be required to deliver an evidence based feasibility study to determine:

Whether there is sufficient demand and strategic value to establish a Centre of Excellence in the Solent
What such a centre would need to comprise (size, capabilities, testing facilities, specialisms, and infrastructure)
The most viable and sustainable operating model
Suggestions for the facility's location

The successful supplier will be required to deliver a robust, evidence based study that addresses the following:

Gap Analysis (Supply-side Assessment)
Needs Assessment (Demand-side Assessment)
Market and Competitor Analysis (Strategic Positioning)
Concept for the Proposed Centre
Location Assessment
Operating Model Options
Economic Impact and Investment Potential

It is the intention that the procurement will adhere to the below timetable:

Documents available on In-tend - 4th March 2026
Deadline for requests for clarification - 14th March 5pm 2026
Quotation return deadline - 25th March 5pm 2026
Award decision notified to bidders & contract award - 3rd April 2026
Start of contract - 8th April 2026

The supplier will be expected to:

Attend an inception meeting - 8th April 2026
Provide a detailed project plan - 15th April 2026
Draft Feasibility Study Report - 26th June 2026
Produce Final Feasibility Study Report, incorporating feedback - 31st July 2026
Produce Executive Summary suitable for publication - 31st July 2026

CPV: Business analysis consultancy services · General management consultancy services · Project management consultancy services · Research and development consultancy services · Technical analysis or consultancy services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published

Lot #1Renewal 4 moSMEPublished value£125,000

Contract period: 8 Apr 2026 – 31 Jul 2026 (4 mo) · up to 30 Sept 2026 with extensionsValue: £125,000 exc. VAT · £125,000 inc. VAT

Delivery: South EastEligibility: SME eligible

Extensions: Tenderers are to provide hourly rates for relevant consultant levels which have been used to build up aspects of the initial commission and are to be subsequently applied to any extensions agreed to the initial commission post award. · The contract will be awarded for an initial term of four months thereafter the council will have the option to extend the term by a rolling monthly basis up to a maximum of two months. Any period(s) of extension will be at the council's sole discretion.

71621000 Technical analysis or consultancy services 72221000 Business analysis consultancy services 72224000 Project management consultancy services 73200000 Research and development consultancy services 79411000 General management consultancy services

Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)1

Condition of participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
As described in the procurement specific questionnaire and the conditions of participation.
Technical ability conditions of participation
As described in the procurement specific questionnaire and the conditions of participation.

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

Lot awarding rule: Tenders will be evaluated against the following award criteria: Quality 70% Price 30% Further information can be found in the procurement documents available on In-tend.

Conditions of participation1

Condition of participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
As described in the procurement specific questionnaire and the conditions of participation.
Technical ability conditions of participation
As described in the procurement specific questionnaire and the conditions of participation.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record

Procedure method: Below threshold - open competition
Legal basis: UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category: Services
Notice status: Closed
Procurement threshold: Below threshold
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: 4 Mar 2026, 17:33 GMT
Last source update: 4 Mar 2026, 17:33 GMT
Authority reference: P00005207
FTS notice number: 2026/S 000-019705
Latest notice: Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV): Business analysis consultancy servicesGeneral management consultancy servicesProject management consultancy servicesResearch and development consultancy servicesTechnical analysis or consultancy services
Delivery area: South East (UKJ31)
Official registry OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06628d Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice

Run through: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend

Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowed

Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup

Submission deadline: 25 Mar 2026, 17:00 GMT
Clarification deadline: 14 Mar 2026, 17:00 GMT
Submission channel: Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission: Allowed

Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/Home ↗

Timeline

4 Mar 2026 → 8 Apr 2026 · 4 dates

Tender notice published237 days ago
4 Mar 2026, 17:33 GMT
Clarification questions by227 days ago
14 Mar 2026, 17:00 GMT
Submission deadline216 days ago
25 Mar 2026, 17:00 GMT
Contract starts202 days ago
8 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender

Tender notice published
4 Mar 2026, 17:33 GMT
UK4

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Portsmouth City Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PCNL-5714-PRZV Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, South East, PO1 2ALContact email

Official documents & specifications (1)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender4 Mar 2026, 17:33 GMT