Planning

UK Space Agency - Strategic and Operational Support to the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters

DEPARTMENT FOR SCIENCE, INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 May 2026 at 16:12

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process related to the UK Space Agency's requirement for Strategic and Operational Support to the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters. Classified under the public authority central government category, this initiative falls within the services industry, specifically focusing on spacecraft and satellite services. The process involves pre-market engagement and an information session scheduled for 28 May 2026 and requires organisations to submit their pre-market engagement questionnaires by 17 June 2026. The anticipated contracts will go live between March and April 2027, with an initial service period extending for four years, headquartered in London, United Kingdom.

This forthcoming procurement offers substantial opportunities for businesses specializing in satellite operations, disaster recovery, and strategic consultancy, especially those adept at working with governmental bodies or international space organisations. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) may find the contract's structure and focus on leveraging commercial satellite capabilities particularly advantageous. Engaging in this tender can potentially broaden business horizons by enabling companies to partake in a pivotal global disaster resilience initiative, foster technology deployment and integration, and build long-term relationships within the public sector and international partners.

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Notice Title

UK Space Agency - Strategic and Operational Support to the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters

Notice Description

Summary The International Charter: Space and Major Disasters ("the Charter") is a global agreement which aims to provide a unified system of space data acquisition and delivery to those affected by natural or man-made disasters. It enables the transmission of Earth Observation (EO) satellite data to pre-authorised resilience and emergency response bodies in response to "activations". Charter members are national government bodies or recognised space system organisations that own or operate Earth observation satellite missions and contribute resources to support, coordinate and govern ongoing Charter operations. Members work collectively to provide assured, coordinated and timely access to satellite data to support recognised rescue and resilience authorities, helping to minimise losses and save lives. The UK has been a Charter member since 2005 and continues to play an active leadership role in this highly valued global initiative. To meet its national obligations, the UK Space Agency (UKSA), a directorate within DSIT, requires technical/specialist: i) Strategic Support services; and ii) Operational Support services. These capabilities are currently being delivered under contract to UKSA, with re-procurement activity for new contracts anticipated to be undertaken no earlier than mid July 2026. In line with UK Government policy, the UK does not operate sovereign EO assets and instead leverages commercial providers. UKSA therefore intends to procure two contracts to deliver these services, with an anticipated service go live of March-April 2027 and for contract terms anticipated to be up to a maximum duration of four years. Purpose UKSA is undertaking pre-market engagement (PME), in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, to assess market capability and inform the development of its procurement strategy and tender documentation. The primary activity within this PME is for organisations to complete a questionnaire for either or both Strategic Support services or Operational Support services. This questionnaire is designed to assess market capability, capacity and readiness to deliver the requirements as set out in draft Specifications. The draft Specification(s) for both Strategic Support services and Operational Support services are available on request by contacting: UKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk PME submissions must be made via the questionnaire(s) forms by Wednesday 17 June 2026. See below for links to the Microsoft Forms Information Session (Pre-Market Engagement Event) UKSA will host an online Information Session via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 28 May 2026 at 13:00-15:00 (UK time). The session is intended to support interested organisations to engage effectively with this PME and provide early visibility of planned procurement activity relating to the Disaster Charter. It will: * Outline the anticipated scope, objectives and timelines based on the draft Specification(s) * Offer an opportunity for suppliers to ask questions ahead of any formal procurement A transcript of the presentation can be provided on request for those unable to attend. For attendance, interested suppliers are requested to confirm attendance by 17:00 on 27 May 2026 by emailing UKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk where invitations will be issued following receipt of request. Emails should include the subject line: "PME Request - Info Session Disaster Charter Operational and Strategic Support - <Respondent's Organisation>" Questionnaire Organisations capable of, or interested in, delivering all or part of the requirements are encouraged to respond. Responses should be concise and high-level. The questionnaire is not evaluated or scored and will not determine participation in any future procurement. The questionnaire for Strategic Support services is available in the following MS form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xt2WLvkRqq The questionnaire for Operational Support services is available in the following MS form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/8ThmBT60n0 Participation in this PME does not constitute any commitment by UKSA to procure or fund activities, nor does it confer any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement process. Information provided will be used solely for pre-market engagement purposes. Personal information will be handled in line with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology privacy policy: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dsit-correspondence-privacy-notice/privacy-notice-relating-to-correspondence-received-by-dsit UKSA thanks respondents for their input and encourages suppliers to monitor Find a Tender for future contract opportunities.

Planning Information

UKSA is undertaking pre-market engagement (PME), in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, to assess market capability and inform the development of its procurement strategy and tender documentation. The primary activity within this PME is for organisations to complete a questionnaire for either or both Strategic Support services or Operational Support services. UKSA will host an Information Session via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 28 May 2026 at 13:00–15:00 (UK time). The session is intended to support interested organisations to engage effectively with the PME and provide early visibility of planned procurement activity relating to the Disaster Charter. It will: • Outline the anticipated scope, objectives and timelines based on the draft Specification • Offer an opportunity for suppliers to ask questions ahead of any formal procurement A transcript of the presentation can be provided on request for those unable to attend. For attendance, interested suppliers are requested to confirm attendance by 17:00 on 27 May 2026 by emailing UKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk where invitations will be issued following receipt. Emails should include the subject line: “PME Request – Info Session Disaster Charter Operational and Strategic Support – <Respondent’s Organisation>”

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069e22
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046670-2026
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

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

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

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

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

32533000 - Satellite earth stations

34700000 - Aircraft and spacecraft

34712000 - Spacecraft, satellites and launch vehicles

35631200 - Observation satellites

72251000 - Disaster recovery services

75211100 - Diplomatic services

98910000 - Services specific to international organisations and bodies

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 May 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
17 Aug 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2031 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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

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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