Planning

Provision of Aerial Surveillance for HMCG

MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY

This public procurement record has 5 releases in its history.

Planning

11 May 2026 at 10:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

15 Jan 2026 at 16:54

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

12 Sep 2025 at 11:14

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

07 Jul 2025 at 07:39

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

11 Jun 2025 at 16:37

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), a central government public authority located in Southampton, UK, is planning a procurement process for the "Provision of Aerial Surveillance for HM Coastguard (HMCG)." This process is currently in the planning stage, with a focus on market engagement activities. Key dates include an upcoming market engagement stage in June 2026 following the review of stakeholder feedback gathered in January 2026. The procurement aims to secure assets for intelligence, search, surveillance, and reconnaissance to support specialised search and rescue operations. The contract is expected to begin on 1 March 2029 and end on 28 February 2034, offering services that are above the financial threshold typically requiring formal procurement procedures.

This procurement represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the surveillance and air-sea rescue sectors, particularly those offering innovative and adaptable technologies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are especially encouraged to participate, as the MCA seeks to broaden competition and is open to varied technological approaches that can deliver maritime situational awareness. Businesses with capabilities in intelligence gathering, real-time data analysis, or collaboration with regulatory bodies to overcome barriers will likely find this tender particularly suitable for growth opportunities. The solution-agnostic approach and the intent to eliminate unnecessary barriers provide a favourable bidding environment for diverse business types.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Aerial Surveillance for HMCG

Notice Description

HM Coastguard (HMCG) helicopters and planes, provided under the UKSAR2G contract, have a primary role to provide search and rescue. However, they undertake a range of other missions in support of wider Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) objectives, and those of other government departments. In addition, HMCG require an Aerial Surveillance service to provide near real time situational awareness in support of specialised SAR operations. Therefore, the MCA is planning to undertake a procurement for this additional Aerial Surveillance service. The MCA will procure for intelligence, search, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets that can supply the information required. This service will not require national coverage. Potentially, during high-risk times, an HMCG surveillance asset could be operating for a full 24-hour period extending into consecutive days and sometimes weeks. Respondents should bear in mind that the MCA will take a solution agnostic approach to the procurement and is open to different technological approaches, providing they can demonstrably meet the requirement to provide persistent maritime situational awareness in areas of need.

Planning Information

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are grateful for all responses to the Market Consultation Questionnaire in January 2026. We are currently looking to refine the current Single Statement of User Need (SSUN) shared alongside the questionnaire in response to this feedback and would like to gain a better understanding of the information provided as part of the requirements review. Another Market Engagement stage is planned for June 2026, following this review. Areas, the MCA would like further information on include: a) Build on the findings of the previous market engagement and seek clarity on key areas to inform further development of the SSUN, including removing any unnecessary barriers to keep participation in the competition as broad as possible. b) Seek further information on cost drivers to determine a final cost envelope. c) To understand where the MCA may be able to provide support in discussions with regulatory bodies, to overcome regulatory barriers. d) To understand whether collaboration between market participants may be necessary to meet the MCA’s requirements and establish how the MCA can facilitate. e) To understand whether there is non-airborne technology available that would support delivery of this requirement. If you wish to participate in this consultation, and have not previously engaged with the Authority, you are required to create an account on Jaggaer if you do not already have one. The portal can be accessed using the following link: https://dft.app.jaggaer.com/ Once you have accessed the e-procurement portal, please navigate to pqq_758 - Provision of Aerial Surveillance for HMCG - Registration of New Interest, to register an interest. Once registered you will be sent further information. If you have previously answered the Market Questionnaire, information will be sent via the Jaggaer portal, and no additional action is necessary. Any correspondence must be submitted via Jaggaer and not directly to different areas of the MCA.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-054718
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042914-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

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

CPV Codes

60443100 - Air-sea rescue services

79714000 - Surveillance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 May 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2029 - 28 Feb 2034 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MARITIME AND COASTGUARD 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
SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode
SO15 1EG
Post Town
Southampton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ32 Southampton
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Southampton
Electoral Ward
Banister & Polygon
Westminster Constituency
Southampton Itchen

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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