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Provision of Aerial Surveillance for HMCG

MARITIME AND COASTGUARD AGENCY

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

Planning

21 Jul 2026 at 14:16

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
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) is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for the "Provision of Aerial Surveillance for HMCG." The main focus is on services in the surveillance and rescue sectors. This procurement initiative aims to enhance the search and rescue capabilities of HM Coastguard helicopters and planes, under the UKSAR2G contract, by incorporating additional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services. A key industry face-to-face event is scheduled for 29th July 2026 in Southampton at the Novotel. The event will provide an overview of the requirements, procurement approach, and delivery plan. Interested parties are encouraged to engage further through the e-procurement portal, Jaggaer, for updates and participation details.

This procurement presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in aerial surveillance technologies, intelligence, and rescue operations. Companies with innovative and technologically advanced solutions that can provide persistent maritime situational awareness will find this tender particularly suited to their capabilities. Additionally, the process is accommodating to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that can offer complementary services or technologies. The MCA is taking a solution-agnostic approach, welcoming different technological ideas as long as they meet the fundamental requirements, thus broadening the scope for various participants in the industry.

How relevant is this notice?

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 Search and 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 Search and 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

10.00 – 16.00 on Wednesday the 29th of July 2026 Novotel Southampton Cherbourg Room 1 West Quay Rd Southampton SO15 1RA The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) invite you to attend the Industry Face-to-Face event for the Search and Surveillance Capability project on Wednesday 29 July 2026, at the Novotel Southampton. Please note that daytime parking at the venue is available on a first come first serve basis. The event will be hosted by Mark Bradley, Senior Responsible Owner for the Channel Search and Surveillance project. The event will begin at 10:00 with presentations by the project team which will include an overview of the requirement, the procurement approach and the delivery plan the MCA is looking to achieve, as well as an operational oversight by senior Coastguards. There will also be a representative from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), who will give a presentation and be available for questions. Lunch will be provided after presentations, and after lunch there will be a Question-and-Answer session with opportunity to submit questions anonymously. After the Q&A session, there will be an opportunity for attendees to meet and have discussions with other potential partners who may have complimentary offerings. This session is focused on in person so you can not only meet the MCA team but met other potential suppliers. We will be distributing slides and an overview of the Q&A for those that have not been able to attend. To register your attendance at the in-person event, please submit your request through Jaggaer or alternatively via contracts@mcga.gov.uk, providing the names of delegates that are representing your company. If we are oversubscribed, we reserve the right to limit delegate numbers from each company.

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/068795-2026
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
21 Jul 2026Yesterday
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

JSON Markdown

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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