Planning

National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC): Optical Sovereign Sensor Software (OSSS)

UK SPACE AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

03 Feb 2026 at 10:33

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Space Agency is planning a procurement process for developing Optical Sovereign Sensor Software (OSSS) for the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC). This service contract, valued at £1.5 million, falls under the IT services industry and is targeted to be conducted within the United Kingdom. Currently in the planning stage, the procurement expects to launch mid-March 2026 with a bid submission deadline set for 24th April 2026. The contract award is anticipated by mid-late May 2026, and operations are expected to commence on 1st June 2026. This tender is accessible exclusively to UK-registered companies exhibiting strong national security commitments and those possessing Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation.

This procurement represents a significant business opportunity, particularly for companies in the IT services sector with expertise in optical tracking systems, sensor networks, and software integration. Suitable businesses are those with capabilities in developing Microsoft Azure-based systems, on-premises control and safety systems, and optical processing pipelines. Companies able to align with the UK Space Agency’s security and accreditation requirements will be greatly advantaged. Breakthroughs in these areas can assist in scaling operations, expanding service offerings, and reinforcing market position within the space technology industry. International subcontractors are eligible for participation, fostering collaborative growth with UK firms while adhering to strict security protocols.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC): Optical Sovereign Sensor Software (OSSS)

Notice Description

UKSA has recently begun the hardware deployment of our Space Domain Awareness optical tracking stations. To operate these effectively, we require software that will enable the autonomous, remote and safe tasking of the sensors and their supporting hardware, with calibrated and corrected high-quality data returned to the central NSpOC wide C2 system (BOREALIS) via an API. Suppliers will be required to deliver three high level elements whose architecture and interfaces must be appropriately documents - a Microsoft Azure based sensor network C2 system, an on-premises C2 and hardware safety system and a separate optical processing pipeline that will generate the tracking/pointing and hardware instructions to execute the sensor sessions and return calibrated and corrected satellite tracklets. UKSA will require the successful supplier to utilise the existing hardware manufacturer provided software interfaces and to use existing commercially available/open-source plate-solving software packages. This is to preserve hardware warranties and minimise assurance activities.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Provision of commercial off-the-shelf software solution and software development as per the description outlined above. UKSA anticipates launching this procedure in mid-March, with a planned deadline for bid submission of 24th April 2026. Contract award is planned for mid-late May with a targeted kick-off of 1st June. **UKSA intends to place this requirement via the Space-Enabled and Geospatial Services Dynamic Purchasing System (RM6235). UKSA will NOT be able to issue tender documentation to bidders who do not meet the filter requirements set. UKSA will also require Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation is in place at point of bid submission for this tender. Any bidders without Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation will be rejected. Owing to the security requirements relating to access to BOREALIS, this tender will be restricted to Uk-registered companies where all strategic decisions are undertaken in the UK by UK nationals on grounds of security. International subcontractors and project consortia partners will be permitted, though UKSA reserves the right to require changes to project consortia and/or subcontracting arrangements where a proposed structure represents a security risk.**

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061511
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009326-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
17 May 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
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
UK SPACE AGENCY
Contact Name
Laura Mason
Contact Email
commercial@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

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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