Planning

BLC0114 - Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) 2026 - RFI

WEST YORKSHIRE COMBINED AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Apr 2026 at 13:30

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process titled "BLC0114 - Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) 2026 - RFI" is currently in the planning stage, facilitated by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in collaboration with BlueLight Commercial. This initiative focuses on the goods category, specifically targeting aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles, and is planned to encompass operations in both urban and rural areas. Interested parties should note the deadline for engagement queries is set for 15 May 2026. The procurement is progressing with milestones scheduled, and the initiative aims to gather market insights to inform future strategies. Discussions are actively managed through the In-tend e-Procurement portal, and direct communications are guided by the system.

This tender represents significant opportunities for businesses within the aerospace and defence sectors, especially those specialising in cutting-edge technology and unmanned systems. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) may find this engagement particularly advantageous as it suits their innovative capabilities in rapidly adopting new technologies. Enterprises engaging in this process could benefit from demonstrating their equipment's capabilities and establishing themselves in a growing area of public service technology procurement. This opportunity to collaborate with NPAS and BlueLight Commercial offers avenues for businesses to expand their market presence and influence future procurement strategies through active engagement in the preliminary stages.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

BLC0114 - Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) 2026 - RFI

Notice Description

Welcome to this market engagement activity where we are looking to gather information from the market to inform future strategy and decisions. More information and an online survey regarding this new request, including your opportunity to inform NPAS and BlueLight Commercial can be found using this link: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/RFI_BVLOS_RPAS_2026/ Overview As part of its commitment to providing an effective and efficient service, in support of forces in keeping the public safe, NPAS is exploring the use of BVLOS RPAS to form part of its future blended fleet. An initial trial has concluded, in which airborne radar systems were operated so they may be evaluated for suitability as part of a detect and avoid system. This new request for information seeks to understand options, which may be available for the rapid insertion (within 3 years) of this technology, operating in non-segregated airspace in support of units on the ground and over both congested (urban) and non-congested (rural) areas. "Congested area" in relation to a city, town or settlement, means any area, which is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes. If you have any queries in relation to this request for information, please send a message to the team via the In-tend Portal and a response will be provided as soon as possible. Suppliers submitting information may be asked to participate in a demonstration of their equipment at a further market engagement event. Details of which will be provided once all information is considered. IMPORTANT All messages should be directed via the In-tend e-Procurement portal messaging system and no direct contact should be made with NPAS or BlueLight Commercial. A link to the procurement portal is provided here: https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/blpd/home This document is not a statement of user need and does not attempt to outline such. It is intended to assist NPAS and BlueLight Commercial representatives to liaise with industry professionals. All information provided by suppliers in response to this RFI will be treated as commercially sensitive and will not be shared outside of BlueLight Commercial and NPAS representatives.

Planning Information

The documentation attached provides further information. Please raise a clarification via In-tend with any queries.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0689bc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037133-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

CPV Codes

34700000 - Aircraft and spacecraft

35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Apr 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 May 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Dec 2029 - 1 Jan 2030 30 days
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
WEST YORKSHIRE COMBINED AUTHORITY
Additional Buyers

BLUELIGHT COMMERCIAL

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LEEDS
Postcode
LS1 2DE
Post Town
Leeds
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

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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