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UKRI-5300 BAS - Provision of DriX USV Operation services

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

19 Feb 2026 at 13:57

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

22 Jan 2026 at 10:18

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

04 Dec 2025 at 16:25

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) has completed the procurement process for Operation services of DriX USV for the British Antarctic Survey under project GIANT. The contract, awarded to Exail SAS, is valued at £251,880 and spans from 23rd February 2026 to 14th February 2027. As a central government public authority based in Swindon, Wiltshire, UKRI conducted the procurement using an open procedure, covering sectors related to pilot services. The services will be delivered in Greenland, focusing on navigating and operating unmanned surface vessels in challenging environments.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses in the marine services industry, particularly those specialising in autonomous marine technology and operations. SMEs capable of providing highly technical and quality-driven service offerings stand to benefit. Exail SAS, a French SME, demonstrates successful integration into projects requiring specialised pilot services and expertise in uncrewed vessel operations, highlighting avenues for similar entities to engage in international contracts with central government authorities like UKRI. With a significant portion of evaluation based on technical quality, businesses with innovative solutions in marine operations can leverage this to access future opportunities in research and surveying projects in the polar and marine domains.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-5300 BAS - Provision of DriX USV Operation services

Notice Description

UKRI has appointed a supplier to provide DRiX USV Operation services for The British Antarctic Survey as part of project GIANT.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may extend the contract period for an additional 1 calendar year.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05ef17
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015263-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60444100 - Pilot services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£210,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£210,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£209,900 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£209,900 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
13 Jan 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
22 Jan 20267 months ago
Contract Period
23 Feb 2026 - 14 Feb 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK Research & Innovation (UKRI)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Exail SAS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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