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Drones and Drone Services

YORKSHIRE PURCHASING ORGANISATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

07 Aug 2026 at 14:18

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation is currently in the planning stage of a public procurement process titled "Drones and Drone Services," aimed at sourcing drones, UAVs, and related services, with a focus on supporting emergency services and public sector operations. This initiative falls under the goods category and covers a significant industry segment within the UK, specifically targeting the development and maintenance of unmanned aerial vehicles for public safety and operational needs. The contracting process is at the engagement planning stage, with an early supplier engagement due by 21st August 2026, and a formal procurement notice slated for 1st October 2026. This initiative anticipates a competitive selection process for different lots with a contract period running from March 2027 to February 2031 and a substantial estimated contract value of up to £600 million gross.

This procurement presents substantial opportunities for businesses specializing in drone technology and associated services, including servicing, surveying, and maintenance tailored for public safety needs. SMEs and VCSEs are particularly noted as suitable for participation, indicating a focus on inclusive business growth opportunities. Companies with innovative solutions in UAV technology, particularly those that can effectively engage with the public sector and address logistical challenges, are well-positioned to benefit from this process. By participating, businesses can expand their market reach, enhance their service offerings, and establish long-term relationships with public sector entities across the UK. This is an opportunity to contribute to shaping solutions that address critical operational requirements in emergency services and broader public sector applications.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Drones and Drone Services

Notice Description

We are renewing an existing solution and seeking interest from suppliers of drones, UAV's and associated services such as servicing, maintenance, surveying, distribution, photography, video production, analysis and surveillance. We are particularly interested in understanding your current route to market, customer base and the challenges around selling to and working with the wider public sector. As part of this exercise, we are also seeking views of potential YPO customers who may use this solution as compliant procurement route. We envisage the routes to market being Competitive Selection Process for lots 1 and 2 (Drones and Drone Services) and Award Without Competition on lot 1 only. (Drones) For clarity, this early engagement is focused on drones, UAVs and associated services that support emergency services and wider public-sector operational requirements. Services relating solely to general photography, events filming, wedding/portrait photography, hobbyist drone activity or standard commercial media production are not the primary focus of this engagement, unless they form part of a specialist UAV or operational service relevant to public safety, inspection, surveying, surveillance, resilience, analysis, maintenance, servicing or associated support.

Planning Information

Your support will enable us to shape the solution to meet yours and your customer’s needs. YPO reserves the right to not commit to advertising this tender if we do so wish. Any information provided by suppliers prior to any advertising of the tender will not be used to determine the outcome of any processes. Should YPO wish to proceed further a formal procurement process will be followed in accordance with YPO's contract procedure rules. Please note that this notice is to undertake early supplier engagement only, information is being sought without prejudice and without commitment. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email the named contact on this notice. emergencyservices@ypo.co.uk

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06df58
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075396-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

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

CPV Codes

35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Aug 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 28 Feb 2031 4-5 years
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
YORKSHIRE PURCHASING ORGANISATION
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WAKEFIELD
Postcode
WF2 0XE
Post Town
Wakefield
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE4 West Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE45 Wakefield
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Wakefield
Electoral Ward
Wrenthorpe and Outwood West
Westminster Constituency
Wakefield and Rothwell

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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