Scope
Description
The Home Office seeks an experienced commercial provider to supply capable Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) to support the Border Security Command's (BSC) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
The RPAS must be capable of detecting, identifying, and tracking vessels and individuals within the defined area of operations, operating as part of a multi layered ISR framework that includes manned aviation, maritime assets, and land based infrastructure. The systems will provide enhanced situational awareness to inform operational decision making and support the effective tasking and coordination of operational assets.
The primary operational requirement is for RPAS' that can conduct routine surveillance flights to detect, track, and identify vessels and people to support the primary Search, Rescue and Recovery (SRR) Vessels within the area of operations.
The SRR vessels will operate primarily within UK Territorial Waters (TTW) and the wider UK Area of Operations, including the English Channel.
RPAS' information will be transmitted in real-time to an existing Command and Control facility to enable real-time coordination of responses to threats.
RPAS' will also be required to perform targeted surveillance to record high-quality video footage to support Criminal and Financial Investigation (CFI) prosecutions.
The Home Office have a requirement for one (1) Supplier to provide RPAS' for 5000 on-task sensor coverage hours per year, over three (3) separate task lines, for the purpose of supporting BSC operations.
The Home Office requires availability of two (2) task lines to provide year-round coverage including weekends and public holidays. An additional third task line will be required for approximately six-months per year.
The contract will be for three (3) years fixed with a possible plus one (1) year extension, if mutually agreed at the time by both parties.
There is a requirement for the service to be fully operational within four months of the contract being awarded (Contract Award will be on/or before 30th November 2026). There will be an expected mobilisation period starting on the 01st of December 2026
Total value (estimated)
- £29,000,000 excluding VAT
- £34,800,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2030
- Possible extension to 31 March 2031
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles
- 35720000 - Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance
- 72300000 - Data services
Engagement
Engagement deadline
6 March 2026
Engagement process description
Border Security Command require a supplier who can provide this as a managed service to meet an aspirational award date of 12/2026.
Suppliers will need to register in the first instance on the Authority's eSourcing portal - https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html
Suppliers who can offer a solution and provide the required services are requested to send an expression of interest to Katey.Young4@homeoffice.gov.uk. The subject title of the email should read Tactical Airborne - Expression of Interest, and the email should confirm your organisation's name, one contact name, one e-mail address and one telephone number. These contact details must be those used to register on the Home Office e-Sourcing Portal on Jaggaer
Following expressions of interest suppliers will be given access to the event on the Authority's eSourcing portal, where they will be issued with a Non-Disclosure Agreement, to be signed and returned to the Authority, via the eSourcing portal. Once received the supplier questionnaire will be made available for completion. Note, this questionnaire will be issued from the 6th February 2026.
The deadline for completed supplier questionnaires will be 17/02/2026.
This will be followed by an Industry Day, to outline the requirements and provide further information on the procurement process. This is anticipated to be held within the first week of March, however this is subject to change. The date will be confirmed and communicated in due course.
Please note, the contact details provided by interested suppliers at the point of expression of interest will also be used to accept/verify their attendance for this MS Teams webinar engagement event.
This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is not a call for competition. Suppliers will need to express interest in any future tender opportunity once a formal notice is published.
This PIN relates solely to this market engagement exercise. It is not a pre-qualification questionnaire and does not form part of any selection process.
The content of this PIN, including the nature of works, services and estimated value, may be subject to change. This PIN has been published twice, one under Public Contract Regulations (PCR2015) and one under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23).
The Authority has determined that the likely procurement route will be via a further competition using the Crown Commercial Service Space Enabled and Geospatial Services RM6235 Dynamic Purchasing System https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6235 , so any potential bidders will need to be registered on this Dynamic Purchasing System when the Authority commences their tendering process, anticipated to take place in May 2026.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 May 2026
Contracting authority
Home Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWGC-6513-PQLZ
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government