Planning

RFI: In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) Payloads RFI

UK SPACE AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Oct 2025 at 17:04

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Space Agency has initiated a procurement process under the planning stage for the project titled "RFI: In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) Payloads RFI." This process focuses on the industry category of spacecraft and satellites within the broader category of goods. The procurement seeks to gather insights through a Request for Information (RFI) from organisations involved in the development of ISAM technologies seeking opportunities for in-orbit demonstrations. The procurement is based in the United Kingdom, and interested parties are encouraged to engage with the process and submit responses by the deadline of 8th December 2025. The initiative is crucial for strengthening the UK’s space capabilities and aligns with the national strategy as outlined in the UK Space Industrial Plan (2024) and the Strategic Defence Review (2025).

This procurement process presents significant opportunities for growth and collaboration in the space industry, particularly for companies specialising in advanced space technologies such as in-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing. The UK Space Agency is not only focusing on UK-based businesses but is also inviting international entities to participate, thereby broadening the scope for engagement and innovation. This tender is especially suited for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are aiming to expand their operations in the space sector or explore new technological frontiers. Through the RFI, businesses have the chance to influence the future of UK space capabilities and potentially secure future public and private sector collaborations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

RFI: In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) Payloads RFI

Notice Description

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) recognises In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) as a critical capability for strengthening the UK's position in space. The UK Space Industrial Plan (2024) identified ISAM as one of five key space capability areas for prioritisation, reflecting its importance to the nation's future in space. In addition, the Strategic Defence Review (2025) highlighted the need to develop Space Control capabilities, and by extension ISAM technologies, to defend UK space assets in an increasingly contested domain. Recent years have seen significant progress in establishing the foundations of the UK space sector, with national and defence space strategies now complemented by detailed capability plans. Realising the UK's ambitions for ISAM will require close collaboration between government and industry, with future interventions guided by robust evidence. To support this, UKSA is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to organisations - both UK-based and international - developing or planning to develop ISAM payloads or technologies seeking flight opportunities as hosted payloads or on In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) missions. The aim is to map the landscape of new technologies seeking flight demonstration within the next 3-5 years. Insights gathered through this RFI will inform UKSA's approach to in-space technology qualification and deepen our understanding of the evolving space technology landscape. We welcome your responses and appreciate your valuable input in shaping the future of the UK's ISAM capabilities. Note: This notice will not lead to a contract. This service is being used to assist in publicising this RFI as widely as possible.

Planning Information

Further information has been published on Contracts Finder at https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/75d0fd43-489f-47ed-8098-409bfaf14766 Here you can download the detailed RFI document, and find a link to the RFI response form.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d5b4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069147-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

CPV Codes

34712100 - Spacecraft

34712200 - Satellites

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Oct 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 Dec 20253 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Oct 2025 - 8 Dec 2025 1-6 months
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
UK SPACE AGENCY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
sustainability@ukspaceagency.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DIDCOT
Postcode
OX11 0DF
Post Town
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05d5b4-2025-10-28T17:04:42Z",
    "date": "2025-10-28T17:04:42Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05d5b4",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PRTY-4245-MTJY",
            "name": "UK Space Agency",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PRTY-4245-MTJY"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Quad Two Building 1st Floor, Rutherford Avenue, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus",
                "locality": "Didcot",
                "postalCode": "OX11 0DF",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ14"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "sustainability@ukspaceagency.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PRTY-4245-MTJY",
        "name": "UK Space Agency"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Further information has been published on Contracts Finder at https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/75d0fd43-489f-47ed-8098-409bfaf14766 Here you can download the detailed RFI document, and find a link to the RFI response form.",
                "dueDate": "2025-12-08T23:59:59Z",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "069147-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069147-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-10-28T17:04:42Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "UKSAC25_0101",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "RFI: In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) Payloads RFI",
        "description": "The UK Space Agency (UKSA) recognises In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) as a critical capability for strengthening the UK's position in space. The UK Space Industrial Plan (2024) identified ISAM as one of five key space capability areas for prioritisation, reflecting its importance to the nation's future in space. In addition, the Strategic Defence Review (2025) highlighted the need to develop Space Control capabilities, and by extension ISAM technologies, to defend UK space assets in an increasingly contested domain. Recent years have seen significant progress in establishing the foundations of the UK space sector, with national and defence space strategies now complemented by detailed capability plans. Realising the UK's ambitions for ISAM will require close collaboration between government and industry, with future interventions guided by robust evidence. To support this, UKSA is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to organisations - both UK-based and international - developing or planning to develop ISAM payloads or technologies seeking flight opportunities as hosted payloads or on In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) missions. The aim is to map the landscape of new technologies seeking flight demonstration within the next 3-5 years. Insights gathered through this RFI will inform UKSA's approach to in-space technology qualification and deepen our understanding of the evolving space technology landscape. We welcome your responses and appreciate your valuable input in shaping the future of the UK's ISAM capabilities. Note: This notice will not lead to a contract. This service is being used to assist in publicising this RFI as widely as possible.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "34712100",
                        "description": "Spacecraft"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "34712200",
                        "description": "Satellites"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2025-10-29T00:00:00Z",
                    "endDate": "2025-12-08T23:59:59Z"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}