Award

Provision of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Services

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

24 Oct 2025 at 14:45

Award

29 Sep 2025 at 08:41

Tender

14 Mar 2025 at 13:34

TenderUpdate

14 Mar 2025 at 13:34

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government, through its Marine Directorate, has awarded a contract for the provision of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) services to boost the monitoring, control, and surveillance capacities in Scottish waters. The procurement process, initiated under an open procedure, focused on securing services in the industry category of surveillance services, further classified under aircraft operating and aerial-related services. Notably, the procurement process has reached the contract award stage, with the contract being active as of 1st August 2025. The contract's areas of operation span between 12 nautical miles from baselines in the Scottish Zone to the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone, primarily between March and November over a three-year span. The value of the contract amounts to £960,220.32, with Nordic Unmanned UK Limited, identified as an SME, emerging as the successful supplier.

This tender presents significant opportunities for growth, primarily for businesses specialising in aerial surveillance and remotely piloted systems. Suppliers capable of delivering high-quality surveillance services and possessing the necessary technical know-how, such as the proficiency in RPAS technology, are well-suited to compete in such procurement processes. Given the contract's scope, businesses with experience in marine and fisheries sectors, alongside robust competencies in contract management, staff competence, and corporate social responsibilities, stand to benefit significantly. This procurement underscores the Scottish Government’s commitment to incorporating advanced technology systems in environmental and fisheries management, thereby driving opportunities for innovation and specialised service delivery in these fields.

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Notice Title

Provision of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Services

Notice Description

The Scottish Ministers, Marine Directorate invites tenders for the provision of short and medium range Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in support of marine and fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) in Scottish waters.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Scottish Ministers, Marine Directorate invites tenders for the provision of short and medium range Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in support of marine and fisheries monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) in Scottish waters. Marine Directorate aerial (aircraft) and marine (surface) asset deployment is conducted all year round but we wish the RPAS provisions to focus primarily on seasonal fisheries undertaken between March and November over a three (3) year contract period. The Marine Directorate is seeking to enhance their current capability in marine and fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) by contracting both Short and Medium range RPAS capability for unit provisions of twenty-two days.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e2e5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068292-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

60440000 - Aerial and related services

60445000 - Aircraft operating services

79714000 - Surveillance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£990,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£960,220 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 May 20259 months ago
Contract Period
30 Apr 2025 - 30 Apr 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
To be reviewed in November 2027.

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Name
Bob McLeod
Contact Email
bob.mcleod@gov.scot
Contact Phone
+44 1312442500

Buyer Location

Locality
ABERDEEN
Postcode
AB11 9DB
Post Town
Aberdeen
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM5 North Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM50 Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Aberdeen City
Electoral Ward
Torry/Ferryhill
Westminster Constituency
Aberdeen South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NORDIC UNMANNED

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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