---
title: "Helicopter Services -- BBC Live Newsgathering"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06c1ab"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c1ab"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c1ab.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c1ab.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "BBC (BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION)"
published: "2026-07-01"
---

# Helicopter Services -- BBC Live Newsgathering

Buyer: BBC (BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION)  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06c1ab

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06c1ab)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c1ab.json)

## Summary

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is in the planning stage of a public procurement process for Helicopter Services aimed at supporting its live newsgathering operations across the United Kingdom. The buying organisation, headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, is seeking information from suppliers with the expertise needed for fast-paced live television news environments, prior to possibly launching a formal procurement. This engagement is part of compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, and the Request for Information (RFI) must be returned by 15th July 2026. The procurement falls under the services category with an industry focus on helicopter hire and operations.

This tender presents an opportunity for niche service providers involved in helicopter operations accustomed to the live broadcast television sector. Businesses with a proven track record in this specific area are particularly well-suited to respond, potentially leading to growth through securing a contract that supplies critical services for major newsgathering activities. The process is accessible to SMEs and VCSEs, ensuring a competitive and inclusive bidding environment. Suppliers who meet these stringent requirements stand to gain a prestigious client in the form of the BBC, which could immensely boost their business profile and lead to further business opportunities within the sector.

## Notice

BBC Newsgathering uses a dedicated helicopter to support its live broadcast news-gathering operations across the United Kingdom. The helicopter provides an aerial news-gathering and live broadcast capability that is integral to the BBC's ability to cover breaking news events, planned operations, and major incidents from the air, transmitting live footage directly to BBC News studio facilities. The current contract for this service is approaching the end of its term. The BBC is conducting pre-tender market engagement under the Procurement Act 2023 to understand the landscape of suppliers capable of delivering this service before potentially proceeding to a formal competitive procurement. This is a specialist service. The BBC requires a supplier with direct, demonstrable experience of working in a fast-paced live television news environment -- not general aerial work, corporate charter, or commercial helicopter operations. Suppliers are encouraged to consider their suitability carefully before responding. Please review the RFI document uploaded on to the Jaggaer e-tendering platform.

### Planning Information

This is a request for information related to Helicopter Services for BBC Newsgathering. Please access the BBC's e-sourcing platform to review the RFI documentation to be returned before the engagement deadline: https://bbc.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061914-2026 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| 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 | 1 Jul 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 1 Sep 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Jan 2027 - 1 Jan 2027 |
| 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 | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | BBC (BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION) |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | West London |
| Postcode | W1A 1AA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | West End |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation
- 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

### Codes

- 34711500 - Helicopters
- 60424120 - Hire of helicopters with crew

## Release History

- 1 Jul 2026 at 15:02 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061914-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/061914-2026
  1st July 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.bbc.co.uk/supplying/
- https://bbc.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-06c1ab. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06c1ab.json.