---
title: "UKRI-5300 BAS - Provision of DriX USV Operation services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05ef17"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ef17"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ef17.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ef17.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)"
published: "2026-02-19"
---

# UKRI-5300 BAS - Provision of DriX USV Operation services

Buyer: UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05ef17

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ef17)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ef17.json)

## Summary

UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) has completed the procurement process for Operation services of DriX USV for the British Antarctic Survey under project GIANT. The contract, awarded to Exail SAS, is valued at £251,880 and spans from 23rd February 2026 to 14th February 2027. As a central government public authority based in Swindon, Wiltshire, UKRI conducted the procurement using an open procedure, covering sectors related to pilot services. The services will be delivered in Greenland, focusing on navigating and operating unmanned surface vessels in challenging environments.

This tender presents growth opportunities for businesses in the marine services industry, particularly those specialising in autonomous marine technology and operations. SMEs capable of providing highly technical and quality-driven service offerings stand to benefit. Exail SAS, a French SME, demonstrates successful integration into projects requiring specialised pilot services and expertise in uncrewed vessel operations, highlighting avenues for similar entities to engage in international contracts with central government authorities like UKRI. With a significant portion of evaluation based on technical quality, businesses with innovative solutions in marine operations can leverage this to access future opportunities in research and surveying projects in the polar and marine domains.

## Notice

UKRI has appointed a supplier to provide DRiX USV Operation services for The British Antarctic Survey as part of project GIANT.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Contracting Authority may extend the contract period for an additional 1 calendar year.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015263-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 13 Jan 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 22 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 23 Feb 2026 - 14 Feb 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £210,000 |
| Lots value | £210,000 |
| Awards value | £209,900 |
| Contracts value | £209,900 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION (UKRI) |
| Locality | SWINDON, WILTSHIRE |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN2 1FL |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire |
| ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon |
| Local authority | Swindon |
| Electoral ward | Rodbourne Cheney |
| Westminster constituency | Swindon North |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | EXAIL |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 60444100 - Pilot services

## Release History

- 19 Feb 2026 at 13:57 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015263-2026
- 22 Jan 2026 at 10:18 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005628-2026
- 4 Dec 2025 at 16:25 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079895-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015263-2026
  19th February 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005628-2026
  22nd January 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079895-2025
  4th December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://ukri2.my.salesforce-sites.com/ProSpend__CS_ContractPage?SearchType=Projects&uid=a1MTm00000901bdMAA&searchStr=&sortStr=Recently+Published&page=1&filters=&County=
- https://ukri2.my.site.com
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.ukri.org/

## 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-h6vhtk-05ef17. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ef17.json.