--- title: "Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Historical Space Object Data Sets" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-25336293-c22a-4aa3-9423-59b1d90fc926" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-25336293-c22a-4aa3-9423-59b1d90fc926" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-25336293-c22a-4aa3-9423-59b1d90fc926.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-25336293-c22a-4aa3-9423-59b1d90fc926.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2026-01-26" --- # Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Historical Space Object Data Sets Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-25336293-c22a-4aa3-9423-59b1d90fc926 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-25336293-c22a-4aa3-9423-59b1d90fc926) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-25336293-c22a-4aa3-9423-59b1d90fc926.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Defence has initiated a procurement process in the planning stage, titled "Request for Information (RFI): Provision of Historical Space Object Data Sets." This engagement focuses on data services, classified under CPV code 72300000, and is located in the South East region of the United Kingdom, with delivery addresses pointing to Fareham, Hampshire. The procurement is in support of the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) and aims to enhance Space Domain Awareness capabilities. The key date to note is the engagement end date, set for 2nd March 2026. This tender offers significant business growth opportunities, particularly for enterprises involved in space data services. It is especially suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSEs) due to its focus on market engagement. Businesses with capabilities in space technology, machine learning, and data analytics for space object tracking and characterisation would be well-positioned to compete and contribute to the development of future defence capabilities in the UK. This early engagement provides an avenue for companies to influence future procurement decisions by demonstrating their market capabilities. ## Notice The National Space Strategy and the Defence Space Strategy laid out the ambitious vision of the UK, in the space domain. They provided a clear strategic direction aimed at delivering improved Space Domain Awareness (SDA). In May 2024 the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) was launched, led by UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency in partnership with the Met Office. The NSpOC will combine and coordinate civil and military Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities, to enable UK space operations and protect our interests in space and on Earth from space related threats, risks, and hazards, as per the xGov SDA Requirements Publication. In support of the NSpOC, UK Space Command and Dstl are currently seeking information from the space industry sector on the availability of historic Space Domain Awareness Data. This information will help us better understand current market capabilities to become a more intelligent customer; help inform decision making on future Defence Capability needs and support the development of Machine Learning techniques for space object characterisation and tracking of cislunar objects. Please see the attached RFI for full details, and the RFI Templates for submission of the information. Thank you for your time and interest ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1d379787-823c-41a0-9caa-d0d8c1f8bc03 | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 26 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 2 Mar 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE | | Locality | HAMPSHIRE | | Post town | Portsmouth | | Postcode | PO17 6AD | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight | | ITL 3 | TLJ36 Central Hampshire | | Local authority | Winchester | | Electoral ward | Southwick and Wickham | | Westminster constituency | Fareham and Waterlooville | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support ### Codes - 72300000 - Data services ## Release History - 26 Jan 2026 at 18:01 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1d379787-823c-41a0-9caa-d0d8c1f8bc03 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1d379787-823c-41a0-9caa-d0d8c1f8bc03 26th January 2026 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/a7e8d74f-4c50-49d4-8066-302d9820120f RFI Template 1 - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/5918065d-6c05-42ef-af25-6cb404f5f2a3 RFI Document - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/83c503de-3a9c-48d1-8c36-a437bd573b30 RFI Template 2 - https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60707 URL link to the Defence Opportunity as published on the Defence Source Portal (DSP) ## Notice URLs - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-space-command ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-25336293-c22a-4aa3-9423-59b1d90fc926. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-25336293-c22a-4aa3-9423-59b1d90fc926.json.