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GSS2533 - UKSAC25_0034 - The Provision of Optical Delivery Partner

UKSA

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Award

09 Oct 2025 at 08:21

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

12 Aug 2025 at 10:54

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

06 Jun 2025 at 08:43

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

16 May 2025 at 09:54

UK4 - Tender Notice
PlanningUpdate

28 Apr 2025 at 09:55

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

28 Apr 2025 at 09:52

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The public procurement process entitled "GSS2533 - UKSAC25_0034 - The Provision of Optical Delivery Partner" was initiated by the UK Space Agency (UKSA) located at Harwell Campus in Didcot. This procurement falls under the "goods" category, specifically focusing on data-processing machines (hardware) used for high-quality remote optical tracking stations. The project has reached the award stage as of 9th October 2025, with the contract signed on 12th September 2025 and concluding on 31st March 2028. The initiative involves an open procedure for procurement, demonstrating transparency and inclusivity in selecting the best-suited partner. The primary geographic focus is within the United Kingdom, particularly the Didcot area, and the operational locations are expected to span five sites.

This tender offers significant business growth potential, particularly for enterprises with a background in satellite monitoring and technology solutions. With an emphasis on autonomous satellite monitoring across various orbital regimes, businesses equipped with skills in hardware delivery, integration, and management would find lucrative opportunities in this contract. Given the involvement of Slingshot Aerospace Limited, a small-to-medium enterprise (SME), it underscores the opening for businesses of all sizes to become key players in the space technology domain, encouraging innovation and development within the sector. Companies with capabilities to deliver comprehensive optical tracking systems, and those interested in expanding into government contracts, would find this tender appealing.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

GSS2533 - UKSAC25_0034 - The Provision of Optical Delivery Partner

Notice Description

We are looking for a technical delivery partner with a demonstrable background in delivering high quality remote optical tracking stations designed for autonomous satellite monitoring across all orbital regimes including Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO). Whilst not critical, it would be advantageous if the system would be capable of performing occasional astrophotography (for outreach) and Near-Earth Asteroid tracking missions. The delivery partner will be responsible for the rollout of an optical tracking station network. This is currently expected to span 5 locations herein referred to as "sites".

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The total value of this contract shall not exceed PS6,250,000.00 excluding VAT. The value is broken down as follows: FY 25/26 - maximum value shall not exceed PS1,750,000.00 excluding VAT. This shall cover the complete UK test site and additionally the hardware for FY 25/26 deployments (excl. domes) - please refer to Section 4 for further detail. FY 26/27 - maximum value shall not exceed PS1,800,000 excluding VAT. This shall cover the deployment of two overseas sites. FY 27/28 - maximum value shall not exceed PS2,700,000.00 excluding VAT. This shall cover the deployment of two overseas sites. FY 28/29 - UKSA reserves the right to execute an optional extension into FY 28/29, should this be required by delays or risks materialising in preceding years or in response to operational needs, subject to budget availability. FY 29/30 - UKSA reserves the right to execute an optional extension into FY 28/29, should this be required by delays or risks materialising in preceding years or in response to operational needs, subject to budget availability. Bidders are advised that there is currently no commitment beyond FY 25/26 as budgets are yet to be confirmed and are subject to approval. This contract is therefore offered on a 3 year basis, with a break clause at 31st March 2026 and 31st March 2027. Should extensions be required, these will be done on a 1+1 basis. This contract will be broken down into 3 work packages covering FY 25/26, 26/27 and 27/28. Please note that UKSA will require go/no-go decisions before the purchase of hardware which is dependent on siting and planning approvals based on the winning providers solution. Bidders should also note the known risks set out in the specification below. Amendment to the contract may be required in the event any or all of these risks materialise. In line with Procurement Act 2023 requirements, the total value of any uplift will not exceed 50% of the maximum contract value.

Renewal: UKSA reserves the right to execute up to two optional extensions should any known risks materialise during the life of the contract.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05080e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063509-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages

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

CPV Codes

30210000 - Data-processing machines (hardware)

30230000 - Computer-related equipment

35125100 - Sensors

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,250,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£6,250,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
£3,322,451 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£3,322,451 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Oct 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
4 Jul 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
12 May 2025Expired
Award Date
12 Aug 20251 years ago
Contract Period
12 Sep 2025 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active, Pending
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UKSA
Additional Buyers

UK Space Agency

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DIDCOT
Postcode
OX11 0DF
Postcode Area
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Vale of White Horse
Electoral Ward
Hendreds
Westminster Constituency
Didcot and Wantage

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Slingshort Aerospace Limited

Slingshot Aerospace Limited

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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