---
title: "RPAS Testing Service Providers Framework"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-7bb277db-854e-4145-b1e3-54ef60a3e9a1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7bb277db-854e-4145-b1e3-54ef60a3e9a1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7bb277db-854e-4145-b1e3-54ef60a3e9a1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7bb277db-854e-4145-b1e3-54ef60a3e9a1.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY"
published: "2026-02-12"
---

# RPAS Testing Service Providers Framework

Buyer: CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-7bb277db-854e-4145-b1e3-54ef60a3e9a1

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## Summary

The procurement process for the RPAS Testing Service Providers Framework has reached the award stage, under the management of the Civil Aviation Authority. This contract, valued at £1,500,000, is classified primarily under transport systems consultancy services. The procurement method employed was open procedure, suitable for SMEs, and targets technical testing, analysis, and consultancy within the United Kingdom. This stage was completed on 12 February 2026, following the tender phase which ended on 3 October 2025. The contract period spans from 1 February 2026 to 31 January 2030.

The RPAS Testing Service Providers Framework offers significant business growth opportunities, particularly for organisations with technical expertise in drone evaluation and product safety. SMEs capable of conducting compliance tests against UK regulatory standards and addressing concerns related to public health and safety are well-positioned to compete. Suppliers such as ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORD SAU, LGAI TECHNOLOGICAL CENTRE, and others had the opportunity to participate, highlighting the diverse and specialised nature of the businesses suited for this framework. Engaging in this scope allows suppliers to work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and other stakeholders, potentially leading to further collaborations across the RPAS sector.

## Notice

The MSA has a legislative obligation to carry out evaluations of drone products if the MSA believes a product presents a risk to health or safety, as per Article 36 of UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945. The third-party 'RPAS Testing Service Providers' may be expected to perform a variety of product evaluations for class marked drones. This could involve evaluating compliance against the regulatory requirements and product standards set out in UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945, The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 (Directive 2014/30/EU), The Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (Directive 2014/53/EU) and The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (Directive 2006/42/EC)345. This requires technical knowledge and expertise across performance and design requirements, noise testing, verification methods, manufacturer manuals and instructions, geo-awareness, and remote identification, among others. In addition, the RPAS Testing Service Provider would require the capability to test non-drone specific product standards related to product safety (e.g. mechanics and electronics systems). The RPAS Testing Service Provider may also be requested to conduct product evaluations for any other concerns related to public health, safety and security, such as cyber security and chemical hazards. Technical standards will contain verification methods to perform some of the product evaluations. Existing standards are available, which may be similar to the potential designated standards (e.g. prEN 4709-001 'Aerospace series - Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Part 001: Product requirements and verification'). The MSA will be responsible for the management and oversight of the product evaluations performed by the RPAS Testing Service Providers, including the communication and coordination with other authorities, industry and the public. In addition, the MSA will be responsible for any decisions that are made on market intervention measures (e.g. product recalls) following the completion of a product evaluation. The MSA will procure the RPAS Testing Service Provider services. One option could be to have a procurement framework for the RPAS Testing Service Providers. The suppliers on this potential procurement framework would require the capability to perform some, if not all, of the product evaluations specified and ensure no conflict of interest would arise. If the MSA identifies the need for a product evaluation, the MSA would issue a set of requirements on that framework. The RPAS Testing Service Providers on the framework would prepare a statement of work (SOW) to outline their delivery approach with associated costs. The MSA would review the SOW responses and subsequently award the procurement to the winning RPAS Testing Service Provider. The RPAS Testing Service Provider would perform the product evaluation based on the MSA requirements and submit their results and recommendations to the MSA to inform a decision on the potential market intervention.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3464aaa5-8c5a-4444-9665-1c91d1b69ee3 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 12 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 3 Oct 2025 |
| Future notice date | 28 Feb 2025 |
| Award date | 12 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | 1 Feb 2026 - 31 Jan 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,500,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY |
| Locality | GATWICK |
| Post town | Redhill |
| Postcode | RH6 0YR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ2 Surrey, East and West Sussex |
| ITL 3 | TLJ28 West Sussex (North East) |
| Local authority | Crawley |
| Electoral ward | Langley Green & Tushmore |
| Westminster constituency | Crawley |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 8 |
| Supplier names | ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORD SAU; DEKRA; LGAI TECHNOLOGICAL CENTRE; MADRONES; SATALLITE APPLICATIONS CATAPULT; SPYRIAN ENGINEERING; TUV RHEINLAND; VANTAGEUAV |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 71311200 - Transport systems consultancy services
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 73430000 - Test and evaluation

## Release History

- 12 Feb 2026 at 09:23 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3464aaa5-8c5a-4444-9665-1c91d1b69ee3
- 13 Aug 2025 at 14:51 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d832e8b0-f523-4668-8dd1-fd4787087e12
- 20 Feb 2025 at 15:41 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b252ad01-49f1-4862-b150-c0eb9d293a13

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3464aaa5-8c5a-4444-9665-1c91d1b69ee3
  12th February 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d832e8b0-f523-4668-8dd1-fd4787087e12
  13th August 2025 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b252ad01-49f1-4862-b150-c0eb9d293a13
  20th February 2025 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder

## 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-b5fd17-7bb277db-854e-4145-b1e3-54ef60a3e9a1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7bb277db-854e-4145-b1e3-54ef60a3e9a1.json.