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UKRI-6358 Testing and Evaluation of Counter-UAS (Drone)

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

09 Oct 2026 at 16:01

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) seeks a supplier to test and evaluate counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) in a competition demonstrating the equipment in prison environments. The work is a testing and evaluation service for security equipment, with a research and development consultancy element. The supplier must provide the facilities, personnel and equipment needed to run the tests, including a range of drones against which to test the C-UAS units, and at least one qualified pilot to fly them. Delivery is across the United Kingdom. This is a single-lot service procurement.

UKRI invited offers through a below-threshold open competition. The tender’s enquiry deadline was 20 October 2026 at 11:00 UK time, and the bid submission deadline was 6 November 2026 at 11:00 UK time. The contract period is 7 December 2026 to 7 May 2027. The estimated value is £80,000 excluding VAT (£96,000 including VAT). Bids are assessed on quality, weighted at 90%, and price, weighted at 10%. Electronic submission is permitted. The procurement has one lot; offers are sought for the complete testing and evaluation requirement.

This opportunity suits suppliers able to organise and deliver practical counter-drone testing in a prison-demonstration context. A bidder needs access to suitable test facilities, a range of drones, the equipment required to test counter-UAS units, and qualified drone-pilot capacity. The work also calls for personnel who can conduct testing and evaluation of security equipment and support a competition demonstration. UKRI identifies the requirement as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises, so organisations of those types may find it relevant if they can supply the required technical resources and delivery team. The high quality weighting means the strength of the proposed testing approach and capability is central to the competition, alongside a smaller price component.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UKRI-6358 Testing and Evaluation of Counter-UAS (Drone)

Notice Description

UKRI are looking to procure a supplier to assist in the testing and evaluation of the Counter-UAS demonstrations in Prison Environments competition. The supplier must provide all the required test facilities, personnel and equipment, including a variety of drones to test the C-UAS units against, and one, or more, qualified pilot(s) to fly them.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07850b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095793-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

73430000 - Test and evaluation

73431000 - Test and evaluation of security equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£80,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£80,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Oct 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
6 Nov 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Dec 2026 - 7 May 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION
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

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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