Monitoring and Evaluation of the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) Programme Evaluation Framework, Baseline Report and First Process Evaluation UKSAC24_0032

*** THIS IS AN AWARD NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***

This procurement is being concluded following a mini competition under the Crown Commercial DPS Research & Insights RM6126.

Brief Description of Requirement

UKSA is accountable to both the taxpayers and to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), to demonstrate the appropriate use of funds and using robust evidence to support the development, implementation, and improvement of UKSA policies. Frequent provision of monitoring outputs informs benefits management, which itself allows for an assessment of progress towards realising the intended effects of the spending. Evaluation will facilitate the transparent provision of information on the overall impacts and value of the UK's investments in the space sector, providing evidence of effectiveness for, e.g., Spending Reviews and parliamentary committees. To this end, demonstrating the extent to which C-LEO has, or is expected to, meet the SMART objectives outlined above is key.

It should also provide learning opportunities for key stakeholders, including (i) C-LEO programme grant managers within UKSA, (ii) UKSA and DSIT Appraisal analysts; and (iii) programme beneficiaries and potential investors. To this end, the M&E project should aim to ensure that robust evidence is captured to understand the relative contributions of different elements of the programme towards achieving the programme's objectives. It should identify risks and highlight areas for improvement, allowing changes to the design of C-LEO to be made in advance of future funding calls during the lifetime of the programme (see C-LEO milestones below). In addition, it should help to provide feedback to UKSA, helping to improve confidence in delivery and outcomes in support of any decision to extend the programme beyond 2028.