Notice Information
Notice Title
Earth Observation: Data, Access Services and AI capabilities for UK Public Sector 'Public Sector EO' - Pre Market Engagement
Notice Description
Government Digital Service, part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, is working to enhance and co-ordinate public sector access to satellite-derived Earth Observation (EO) data across the UK. This also includes promoting the use of artificial intelligence to generate deeper insights and build capability. The aim is to reduce duplication, improve efficiency, and support the delivery of key government priorities such as climate resilience, national security, and digital transformation. Subject to internal budget approvals, we have identified an opportunity to procure selected commercial EO data and services for use across the UK public sector. This would help to address limitations in the spatial and temporal resolution, as well as the spectral coverage, of existing open sources. By strengthening the geospatial and EO data available to public bodies, it would support more informed decision-making and better outcomes for citizens.
Planning Information
Interested suppliers are requested to give notification of their interest to attend a webinar to be hosted by the Government Digital Service on Wednesday 17th September 2025 at 11:00am. A second webinar session will likely take place later in the autumn, with exact dates to be confirmed closer to the date. Notice of interest should be sent via email to Geospatial.EO@dsit.gov.uk by 5:00 PM GMT 12th September 2025, with the company name and email address(es) of the attendee(s). Suppliers are permitted to nominate up to three individuals from each organisation. How we intend to engage We intend to conduct preliminary market engagement over two rounds, with 2 distinct sessions open to suppliers and interested parties, each followed by a written questionnaire for respondents to share thoughts in greater detail and confidentiality. The first session (referred to as Public Sector EO preliminary market engagement 1 or PME1), will include a presentation covering the high-level data and service requirements based on needs of the public sector and current understanding of market capabilities. It will invite feedback on early thinking around procurement structure / delivery model and commercial elements. PME1 will include opportunities to raise questions and comments, and attendees will be encouraged to provide further feedback in a follow-up questionnaire shared afterwards. The second session (PME2) will present the refined requirements, shaped by feedback from PME1. Feedback will help to finalise technical specification(s) for the contract and request approximate costings from interested suppliers, as well as cover the likely procurement route. Suppliers are encouraged to attend both sessions, and also to provide feedback through the post-session questionnaires. The first questionnaire will be live until Tuesday 30th September following the PME1 webinar. Date of commencement The Preliminary Market Engagement Webinar will take place via MS Teams at 11:00am on Wednesday 17th September. If you are unable to attend the webinar, we will share the content of the meeting, on request after the session. A second webinar session to take place a few weeks following (exact date TBD). Friday 12th September 5:00 PM GMT cut off for providing notice of interest in attendance. Aims and objectives of the PME The primary objective of pre-market engagement is to gather market insight to shape how best to deliver the requirement. This will help the Contracting Authority to: a) improve and update understanding of market capability, helping to ensure any contract delivers better outcomes from the technology; b) encourage competition, driving value for money and creating opportunity for a broad range of suppliers; c) support a fair and compliant procurement The aims of the two rounds of preliminary market engagement will differ slightly, with different content focuses in each: Pre-market 1 (Early Autumn 2025) – Engage the market on the programme’s potential high-level areas of interest (data products and services), agreement structures, procurement routes, and licensing approaches. Pre-market 2 (Late Autumn 2025) – Engage the market on the detailed specification, refined following insights from pre-market 1. How can suppliers express interest? To give notice of interest in attending preliminary market engagement sessions and related feedback, parties should email Geospatial.EO@dsit.gov.uk, ensuring to include attending individuals’ names, roles, and organisation. Suppliers are permitted to nominate up to three individuals from each organisation. GDS does not guarantee that a procurement will be launched and is not responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by any potential supplier in registering their interest.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-0592cf
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053392-2025
- 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
- Awardee Scale
- Not specified
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment
38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
48 - Software package and information systems
71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
-
- CPV Codes
35631200 - Observation satellites
35720000 - Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance
38126000 - Surface observing apparatus
38221000 - Geographic information systems (GIS or equivalent)
48614000 - Data-acquisition system
71354200 - Aerial mapping services
72268000 - Software supply services
72300000 - Data services
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 3 Sep 20255 months ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 4 May 20263 months to go
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 30 Sep 2026 - 1 Oct 2029 3-4 years
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Planning
- Lots Status
- Planning
- Awards Status
- Not Specified
- Contracts Status
- Not Specified
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
- Contact Name
- Not specified
- Contact Email
- geospatial.eo@dsit.gov.uk
- Contact Phone
- Not specified
Buyer Location
- Locality
- LONDON
- Postcode
- SW1A 2EG
- Post Town
- South West London
- Country
- England
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLI London
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLI3 Inner London - West
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLI35 Westminster and City of London
- Delivery Location
- Not specified
-
- Local Authority
- Westminster
- Electoral Ward
- St James's
- Westminster Constituency
- Cities of London and Westminster
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053392-2025
3rd September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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