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Purchase of Drones

West Midlands Fire Service

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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11 Sep 2026 at 14:22

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

West Midlands Fire Service bought DJI unmanned aerial vehicle systems and associated equipment, software, maintenance and support. The drones are intended to strengthen situational awareness, operational decision-making and personnel safety across emergency response, training and support activities. The required uses include incident reconnaissance, real-time intelligence gathering, search and rescue, hazard identification, scene monitoring in dynamic or high-risk environments, and post-incident assessment and investigation. The systems form part of the Service’s operational capability and complement existing assets, supporting safe systems of work, resilience, interoperability and continuing operational availability. This is a goods requirement for unmanned aerial vehicles (CPV 35613000), delivered for operations in the West Midlands, United Kingdom.

The procurement is complete and was awarded following a selective further competition under YPO Framework 00148 for drones and associated drone services for emergency services and the wider public sector. The tender closed on 24 July 2026 at 14:00. West Midlands Fire Service awarded the contract to iRed Ltd on 25 August 2026 for £39,600 including the stated contract value. The contract period runs from 14 September 2026 to 13 September 2028. Evaluation was conducted through the framework call-off route. The awarded requirement covers the UAV systems and the associated equipment, software, maintenance and support needed for operational use. The procurement was identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This award shows demand from West Midlands Fire Service for specialist drone capability that can operate in emergency-service environments rather than only in routine commercial applications. A credible future supplier would need to provide DJI UAV systems, or an equivalent capability where permitted, together with compatible equipment, software, maintenance and technical support. Relevant strengths include safe deployment for reconnaissance, search and rescue, hazard assessment, scene monitoring and post-incident investigation; resilience and interoperability with existing operational assets; and support for reliable ongoing availability. Suppliers should also be able to demonstrate compliance with applicable UK aviation regulations and an understanding of emergency-response operating conditions, training needs and safe systems of work. The requirement is suitable for an SME-scale provider with integrated product and support capability.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Purchase of Drones

Notice Description

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) requires the procurement of DJI unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems to enhance situational awareness, operational decision-making, and the safety of personnel across emergency response, training, and support activities. The UAV systems shall support a range of functions including, but not limited to: Incident reconnaissance and real-time intelligence gathering Search and rescue operations, Hazard identification and scene monitoring in dynamic or high-risk environments and Post-incident assessment and investigate. All drone systems must be compliant with relevant UK aviation regulations and be suitable for deployment in operational environments encountered by the Service. The provision shall include associated equipment, software, maintenance, and support to ensure resilience, interoperability, and ongoing operational availability. The drones shall form part of WMFS's operational capability, complementing existing assets and supporting safe systems of work. Additional information: Further competition conducted under YPO Framework 00148 Drones and Associated Drones Services for the Emergency Services and Wider Public Sector C6035

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-c695fdd6-d2f2-4046-81d7-dee5bb382ca1
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6291ba52-e898-4915-bf97-a63e91755439
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

CPV Codes

35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£39,600 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£39,600 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
14 Sep 2026 - 13 Sep 2028 2-3 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
West Midlands Fire Service
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B7 4HW
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLG West Midlands (England)
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Nechells
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

iRed 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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