Earth Observation: Data, Access Services and AI capabilities for UK Public Sector 'Public Sector EO' - Pre Market Engagement

Notice Information

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Notice Title

Notice Description

Government Digital Service, part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), 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. Please note that we are working closely with DSIT UK Space Agency on their 'Earth Observation Data Hub' initiative and will align our approaches where feasible to maximise impact across both programmes. How we intend to engage Following on from the first pre-market engagement session, we are holding this second session to cover our more detailed technical requirements and approach. The session will be followed by a written questionnaire for respondents to share thoughts in greater detail and confidentiality. The second session (referred to as Public Sector EO preliminary market engagement 2 or 'PME2'), 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 our refined technical requirements procurement structure / delivery model and commercial elements. PME2 will include opportunities to raise questions and comments, and attendees will be encouraged to provide further feedback in a follow-up questionnaire shared afterwards. Feedback will help to finalise the technical specification for the contract and request approximate costings from interested suppliers, as well as cover the likely procurement route. The second questionnaire will be live until Monday 1st June following the PME2 webinar. Date of commencement The Preliminary Market Engagement Webinar will take place via MS Teams at 2:00 PM on Tuesday 26th May. If you are unable to attend the webinar, we will share the content of the meeting, on request after the session. Tuesday 19th May 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 (May 2026) - Engage the market on the detailed specification, refined following insights from pre-market 1. How can suppliers express interest? As indicated above, we intend to invite interested suppliers who expressed interest in attending the first pre-market engagement session to attend this second webinar to be hosted by the Government Digital Service on Tuesday 26th May 2:00 PM. If you did not attend the first pre-market engagement session and are interested in attending this second session and providing 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.

Planning Information

This engagement is the second Pre-market Engagement on this topic following an initial pre-market engagement held on 17th September 2025. We intend to invite interested suppliers who expressed interest in attending the first pre-market engagement session to attend a webinar to be hosted by the Government Digital Service on Tuesday 26th May at 2:00 PM. Any other interested suppliers who did not attend the first session but who would like to attend this second session, are requested to give notification of their interest to attend a webinar. Notice of interest should be sent via email to Geospatial.EO@dsit.gov.uk by 5:00 PM GMT 19th May 2026, with the company name and email address(es) of the attendee(s). Suppliers are permitted to nominate up to three individuals from each organisation.

Notice Details

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Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID: ocds-h6vhtk-0592cf
Publication Source: Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043614-2026
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
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: 12 May 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline: Not specified
Future Notice Date: 1 Oct 20264 months to go
Award Date: Not specified
Contract Period: 1 Feb 2027 - 1 Feb 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence: Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status: Planning
Lots Status: Planning
Awards Status: Not Specified
Contracts Status: Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
Contact Name: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone: Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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/043614-2026
12th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053392-2025
3rd September 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Notice URLs

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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