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SDA Capability Map 2026 update

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

14 Sep 2026 at 08:11

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

04 Sep 2026 at 12:30

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

03 Sep 2026 at 19:09

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory is seeking industry information for the 2026 update of its capability map supporting UK cross-government space domain awareness (SDA) requirements. The exercise covers systems, sensors, products and data solutions that could contribute to a future SDA system of systems, helping government assess current UK capabilities and identify commercial offerings that may address operational requirements. It will also support analysis of areas requiring further research and development where sovereign or commercial solutions are unavailable. The work is classified as research and development services and related consultancy services. The buyer is based at Porton Down, Salisbury, England, and the exercise is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This process is at the planning stage and is a request for information, not an invitation to tender or a commitment to issue a contract. Suppliers are expected to complete the provided capability-mapping spreadsheet for each relevant system, sensor, product or data solution they offer, with multiple returns possible for different capabilities. The buyer expects engagement to end on 31 October 2026. Responses should be submitted by email to ssa@dstl.gov.uk. Information entered must be no higher than UK OFFICIAL; returns will be handled as UK OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE COMMERCIAL, with arrangements available for information requiring a higher classification. The exercise is a continuation of an earlier call and is likely to be repeated.

This exercise suits suppliers developing or delivering space domain awareness technologies, sensing systems, data products, analytical services, or related research and consultancy. It gives businesses a structured way to present current capabilities, reflect recent growth and help government understand how commercial solutions could close operational gaps. Relevant participants may include technology manufacturers, sensor providers, data and software companies, systems integrators, specialist consultancies and research organisations. Suppliers should be able to describe the capabilities of their offerings clearly in the required spreadsheet and identify any special data-handling needs. The buyer is particularly seeking current, commercially available or developing solutions, including areas where further research and development could be needed.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

SDA Capability Map 2026 update

Notice Description

Note, this activity is not directly related to a specific procurement and any information provided are without commitment and prejudice for all parties. Therefore, there will not be a contract issued following this exercise. The purpose of this spreadsheet is to understand how different systems, sensors, products and data solutions provided by industry could address the UK Cross-Government SDA requirements. This may help to inform the potential contributions to a UK SDA Systems of Systems that will address these requirements operationally. UK government will use the data provided in the creation of a Capability Map, allowing analysis of current UK capabilities against the requirement set, including consideration of how commercial offerings could close gaps. Furthermore, gap analysis on the full Capability Map will allow UK government to identify areas where further research and development activity may be required, when no sovereign or commercial offerings are available to meet a requirement. With the 2026 update to the SDA Requirements, and in order to keep the Capability Map current, this RFI activity is a continuation of the previous call and will likely be repeated in the future. This RFI provides the standardised format for commercial to demonstrate current capabilities and reflect growth, and UK government to track the health of the sector and available capabilities. We ask that respondees complete the spreadsheet for the systems etc they offer. This may require multiple returns, depending on the commercial capability. If you have responded to a previous call please do so again with your current capabilities. Note, this activity is not directly related to a specific procurement and any information provided are without commitment and prejudice for all parties. All information provided in this data collection exercise will remain confidential, in-line with the Civil Service Code, with access granted only to UK Government departments and agencies. Where specific handling is required please do note this in the spreadsheet in the "Comments on Data Handling" section. Please keep all data entry at no higher than UK OFFICIAL. All returns will be treated as UK OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE COMMERCIAL. Please do let us know if you have information you would like to share at a higher classification and we can facilitate this. Please submit your responses to ssa@dstl.gov.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-6f95c0d4-bef3-485a-b9c5-1dff958f5895
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6a7c818a-2df4-4b60-b934-4c48a9f9ea3f
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Sep 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SALISBURY
Postcode
SP4 0JQ
Postcode Area
Salisbury
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK72 Wiltshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Wiltshire
Electoral Ward
Winterslow & Upper Bourne Valley
Westminster Constituency
Salisbury

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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