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RPAS Testing Service Providers Framework

Civil Aviation Authority

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

12 Feb 2026 at 09:23

Award Notice
Tender

13 Aug 2025 at 15:51

Tender Notice
Planning

20 Feb 2025 at 15:41

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the RPAS Testing Service Providers Framework has reached the award stage, under the management of the Civil Aviation Authority. This contract, valued at £1,500,000, is classified primarily under transport systems consultancy services. The procurement method employed was open procedure, suitable for SMEs, and targets technical testing, analysis, and consultancy within the United Kingdom. This stage was completed on 12 February 2026, following the tender phase which ended on 3 October 2025. The contract period spans from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2030.

The RPAS Testing Service Providers Framework offers significant business growth opportunities, particularly for organisations with technical expertise in drone evaluation and product safety. SMEs capable of conducting compliance tests against UK regulatory standards and addressing concerns related to public health and safety are well-positioned to compete. Suppliers such as ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORD SAU, LGAI TECHNOLOGICAL CENTRE, and others had the opportunity to participate, highlighting the diverse and specialised nature of the businesses suited for this framework. Engaging in this scope allows suppliers to work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and other stakeholders, potentially leading to further collaborations across the RPAS sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

RPAS Testing Service Providers Framework

Notice Description

The MSA has a legislative obligation to carry out evaluations of drone products if the MSA believes a product presents a risk to health or safety, as per Article 36 of UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945. The third-party 'RPAS Testing Service Providers' may be expected to perform a variety of product evaluations for class marked drones. This could involve evaluating compliance against the regulatory requirements and product standards set out in UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945, The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 (Directive 2014/30/EU), The Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (Directive 2014/53/EU) and The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (Directive 2006/42/EC)345. This requires technical knowledge and expertise across performance and design requirements, noise testing, verification methods, manufacturer manuals and instructions, geo-awareness, and remote identification, among others. In addition, the RPAS Testing Service Provider would require the capability to test non-drone specific product standards related to product safety (e.g. mechanics and electronics systems). The RPAS Testing Service Provider may also be requested to conduct product evaluations for any other concerns related to public health, safety and security, such as cyber security and chemical hazards. Technical standards will contain verification methods to perform some of the product evaluations. Existing standards are available, which may be similar to the potential designated standards (e.g. prEN 4709-001 'Aerospace series - Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Part 001: Product requirements and verification'). The MSA will be responsible for the management and oversight of the product evaluations performed by the RPAS Testing Service Providers, including the communication and coordination with other authorities, industry and the public. In addition, the MSA will be responsible for any decisions that are made on market intervention measures (e.g. product recalls) following the completion of a product evaluation. The MSA will procure the RPAS Testing Service Provider services. One option could be to have a procurement framework for the RPAS Testing Service Providers. The suppliers on this potential procurement framework would require the capability to perform some, if not all, of the product evaluations specified and ensure no conflict of interest would arise. If the MSA identifies the need for a product evaluation, the MSA would issue a set of requirements on that framework. The RPAS Testing Service Providers on the framework would prepare a statement of work (SOW) to outline their delivery approach with associated costs. The MSA would review the SOW responses and subsequently award the procurement to the winning RPAS Testing Service Provider. The RPAS Testing Service Provider would perform the product evaluation based on the MSA requirements and submit their results and recommendations to the MSA to inform a decision on the potential market intervention.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-7bb277db-854e-4145-b1e3-54ef60a3e9a1
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3464aaa5-8c5a-4444-9665-1c91d1b69ee3
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services

71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services

73430000 - Test and evaluation

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
28 Feb 2025Expired
Award Date
12 Feb 20266 months ago
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Civil Aviation Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GATWICK
Postcode
RH6 0YR
Postcode Area
Redhill
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ28 West Sussex (North East)
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Crawley
Electoral Ward
Langley Green & Tushmore
Westminster Constituency
Crawley

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
8
Supplier Names

ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORD SAU

LGAI TECHNOLOGICAL CENTRE S.A

SATALLITE APPLICATIONS CATAPULT LTD

DEKRA GmbH

MADRONES LTD

Spyrian Engineering Ltd

TUV RHEINLAND UK LTD

Vantage UAV Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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