--- title: "BLC-Aviation-0030 - RFI - Airborne EO/ IR Imaging Systems and Air to Ground Communication Systems for UAV/Drones" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-b8d846d0-1603-4b56-913e-d82b17ea3064" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b8d846d0-1603-4b56-913e-d82b17ea3064" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b8d846d0-1603-4b56-913e-d82b17ea3064.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b8d846d0-1603-4b56-913e-d82b17ea3064.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "BLUELIGHT COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION" published: "2021-09-21" --- # BLC-Aviation-0030 - RFI - Airborne EO/ IR Imaging Systems and Air to Ground Communication Systems for UAV/Drones Buyer: BLUELIGHT COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-b8d846d0-1603-4b56-913e-d82b17ea3064 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b8d846d0-1603-4b56-913e-d82b17ea3064) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b8d846d0-1603-4b56-913e-d82b17ea3064.json) ## Summary The BlueLight Commercial Organisation is currently in the planning stage for a tender titled "BLC-Aviation-0030 - RFI - Airborne EO/IR Imaging Systems and Air to Ground Communication Systems for UAV/Drones." This procurement relates to the unmanned aerial vehicle industry and is being conducted in the United Kingdom. The engagement end date for submissions is set for 11th October 2021, at 17:00 BST, where interested parties are encouraged to present video footage demonstrating the technical capabilities of their EO/IR systems as part of the early market engagement process. This tender is available on the EU Supply e-tendering portal, and additional documents can be accessed through the links provided in the procurement notice. This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in high-tech imaging systems, drone technology, and related communications equipment. Companies that can provide EO/IR imaging solutions that meet the specifications outlined for weight, operational capabilities, and compliance with UK regulations may find this tender particularly relevant. This opportunity may be well-suited for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary/community sector enterprises (VCSEs) with expertise in UAV technology, as the contract aims to enhance operational effectiveness for the National Police Air Service's situational awareness and risk assessment capabilities. ## Notice The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is undertaking a market engagement to determine what technical functionality currently exists for Airborne EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infra-Red) systems. The imaging systems are intended for use on BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) remotely piloted aircraft systems: 'Drones'. Alongside the imaging systems, NPAS is also looking at how airborne data links will permit live video imagery to be transmitted into force control rooms and operational resources on scene. The information requested (due to be submitted onto this site by 17:00 (BST) on October 11th 2021) includes the submission of video footage which will demonstrate the capability of the EO/IR system. High quality colour video, low light and infra-red imagery of sufficient detail and quality in daylight, low light and darkness is to be provided to demonstrate the EO/IR performance at operating heights, typical ranging from 500 to 1500 feet. The aims of such systems are to enable situational awareness for the incident command team and facilitate risk assessment and operational decision making in real-time. The video needs to demonstrate that the EO/IR systems provides: * Clear visibility of a scene * The capture of individual descriptive detail such as facial features and clothing. * Identification of a vehicle make, model, colour and registration number. * The recording of evidential detail at any given incident, location or scene. The imaging systems are being classified into three weight bands: * imaging system under 4kg total weight * imaging system 4kg-10kg total weight * imaging system 10kg-17kg total weight. The Systems must be capable to operate on an aerial platform which will be airborne for a minimum of 4 hours and be operating up to 50km away from the base station. The Equipment must be compliant with UK radiocommunications regulations and must not be subject to ITAR limitations on use. The exercise is being undertaken via the EU Supply e-tendering portal: https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/39631/0/0?returnUrl=ctm/Supplier/publictenders&b=BLUELIGHT BLC-Aviation-0030 - RFI - Airborne EO/ IR Imaging Systems and Air to Ground Communication Systems for UAV/Drones ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ef65fb0f-eaaa-4615-a993-2664729de546 | | 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 | 21 Sep 2021 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 11 Oct 2021 | | 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 | BLUELIGHT COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION | | Locality | BIRMINGHAM | | Post town | Birmingham | | Postcode | B4 6DG | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham | | Local authority | Birmingham | | Electoral ward | Ladywood | | Westminster constituency | Birmingham Ladywood | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment ### Codes - 35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles ## Release History - 21 Sep 2021 at 09:20 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ef65fb0f-eaaa-4615-a993-2664729de546 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ef65fb0f-eaaa-4615-a993-2664729de546 21st September 2021 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/0f2708ee-78b6-4248-acbb-43a041de58eb Outline RFI document for market engagement ## Notice URLs - https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/39631/0/0?returnUrl=ctm/Supplier/publictenders&b=BLUELIGHT - https://www.bluelightcommercial.police.uk/ ## 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-b8d846d0-1603-4b56-913e-d82b17ea3064. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b8d846d0-1603-4b56-913e-d82b17ea3064.json.