Planning

Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the Earth Observation Instrumentation Programme (EOIP)

UK SPACE AGENCY AN EXECUTIVE AGENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY (BEIS)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 Aug 2022 at 13:42

Summary of the contracting process

The UK Space Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), has issued a Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the Earth Observation Instrumentation Programme (EOIP). This procurement falls under the services category and is planned to be conducted as an Open Procedure. The UK Space Agency plans to publish the Invitation to Tender (ITT) by the end of September 2022. The programme aims to develop UK capability in Earth Observation instrumentation and community building activities, with a focus on grant funding and industrial consultation workshops.

This tender opportunity for the Earth Observation Instrumentation Programme (EOIP) by the UK Space Agency can create growth opportunities for businesses involved in research and development services, consultancy services, and technology development. Companies with expertise in Earth Observation, satellite technology, and related fields would be well-suited to compete. The procurement process will involve market engagement activities, such as a Request for Information and a market engagement event, providing opportunities for interested parties to network, share insights, and potentially influence the final tender requirements.

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Notice Title

Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the Earth Observation Instrumentation Programme (EOIP)

Notice Description

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to advise prospective providers of the Authority's intention to undertake a retendering exercise for the next contract to deliver the Earth Observation Instrumentation Programme (EOIP).

Lot Information

Lot 1

Earth observation (EO) science is fundamental to humanity's understanding of our planet, its climate and natural processes. EO capabilities enable a wide range of public services, including meteorology, Earth imagery, climate monitoring, environmental management & agriculture, urban planning, and intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance. These services are all underpinned by the instruments and technologies which enable satellites to gather data, which can take decades to design, build and mature. To build UK capability and develop the UK industrial/academic skill base, the UK Space Agency established the Earth Observation Instrumentation Programme (EOIP) in 2007. The programme has sought to develop UK capability in EO instrumentation by: providing and overseeing the delivery of match-funded grants; providing strategic, business and technical advice to project teams, the wider EO sector and UK government; and promoting close working relationships and knowledge transfer between the academic community and industry. Since its inception, the programme has been delivered by the Centre for Earth Observation Instrumentation (CEOI), a consortium of EO experts consisting of Airbus DS, QinetiQ, University of Leicester and STFC/Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. The CEOI has run 14 funding calls to date, and has organised numerous events and workshops through a community building programme. We are looking to undertake a retendering process to support the future sustainability and potential expansion of this vital Programme and support the UK National Space Strategy implementation plans. To this end, UK Space Agency will be undertaking a full retender exercise. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to advise prospective providers of UK Space Agency's intention. It is the intention of the Authority that the procurement will be conducted as an Open Procedure under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The ITT is expected to be published by end September 2022. A separate advert will be released advising of this. The UK Space Agency (UKSA) therefore has a requirement to define, let and manage the next contract for the Earth Observation Instrumentation Programme (EOIP). The programme will focus on two key areas: 1. Earth observation (EO) instrumentation development through the management and promotion of the grant funding programme and its associated aims. The programme has typically overseen around PS2m in grant funding each year, typically with three levels of projects: "Flagship" grants of PS500k and 24 months duration; "Fast Track" grants of PS200k and 15 months duration; and "Pathfinder" grants of PS75k and 9 months duration. The smaller Pathfinder projects have usually been focused on particularly low-TRL (Technology Readiness Level) activities, whilst Flagship activities are focused on mid-TRL activities such as demonstrating a remote sensing instrument aboard an aircraft. 2. Community building activities, including a yearly EO conference, technology showcase events and industrial consultation workshops. Activities will be scalable depending on the success and benefits of continuation of activities undertaken under the EO Programme; knowledge and skills transfer opportunities; and wider developments on plans to implement the National Space Strategy. The Requirement will also entail assuming responsibility for a small number of ongoing projects which are due to continue beyond the end of the current contract (currently expected to be around 4), in addition to managing contract award ASAP for projects successful in the 2022 funding call, managing at least one new funding call each year, organising events, and providing expert EO-related technical, strategic and business advice to the UK Space Agency. Market engagement We intend to release a Request for Information before the end of August, together with a draft statement of requirements. It is our intention to hold a market engagement event on the afternoon of the 7th September 2022 from 13:00 to 14:00 at the UK National Earth Observation conference, National Space Centre, Leicester (room TBC). At the event there will be an opportunity to discuss our plans and consult with parties interested in potentially bidding to deliver the Programme. The event will take the form of a presentation and discussion and will outline our current thinking, the anticipated procurement process, general discussion, and request for information. The process will also provide an opportunity to network with others in this field. We welcome engagement from those who are not planning to attend the conference; we intend to provide the opportunity to join the session remotely and provide a recording for interested parties. UK Space Agency will use the opportunity to gather intelligence from providers who may influence and inform the development of the final tender. Next Steps / joining instructions If you are planning to attend the National EO Conference and would like to attend the event on 7th September in person, please let us know by emailing commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk so that we can ensure sufficient room capacity. If you would like to join virtually, or would like to receive a recording of the event, please also contact us at the above email address. The Authority reserves the right not to proceed with the Procurement, or any part thereof, or change the requirements as necessary at any time.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-035ff1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022979-2022
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
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

73210000 - Research consultancy services

73220000 - Development 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
18 Aug 20223 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Sep 2022Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK SPACE AGENCY AN EXECUTIVE AGENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY (BEIS)
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1FF
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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