Provision of External Impact Evaluation Services

Tender description

The HVM Catapult is a strategic research and innovation organisation for UK manufacturing. Established and supported by Innovate UK, it operates as a co-ordinated national network of six technology and innovation centres, working with industry, academia and government to accelerate industrial transformation and contribute to national missions. The HVM Catapult centres are: • CPI; • Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC); • National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS); • NCC; • University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC); and • Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG). Each centre provides distinct technological specialisms, sectoral focus and regional reach, while operating within a single Catapult framework. In addition to centre-level delivery, the Catapult undertakes network-wide functions including strategic leadership, cross-centre co-ordination, portfolio management, engagement with government and alignment with national missions. HVM Catapult is looking to commission an independent evidence-based evaluation of the impact delivered through its core grant-funded activities with the report due by March 2027. HVM Catapult require an Early Findings Report, due by 18 December 2026, focusing on validating the evaluation framework, evidencing the rationale for intervention and establishing baseline measures for subsequent impact assessment. This early stage is intended to support strategic decision-making and will not be a substitute for the final evaluation. The final evaluation report should focus on four strategic priority areas and consider how they deliver workstreams, centre activities and therefore outputs, outcomes and KPIs. The four strategic priority areas to be considered are: • Industrial sustainability; • Net zero: clean energy transition; • Healthy living; and • National security capability. HVM Catapult may also, at its discretion, call off optional formative and learning evaluation services under the contract. These optional services are within the scope of the contract as awarded and will be provided at pre-agreed rates. HVM Catapult is under no obligation to call off any of the optional services. ## Contract award Title: Provision of External Impact Evaluation Services