Scope
Description
Continued development of an autonomous drone capability to scale routine BVLOS operations across the NGET network.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £22,950,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
23 June 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 23 June 2025 to 31 March 2026
- Possible extension to 31 March 2032
- 6 years, 9 months, 8 days
Description of possible extension:
Option for 3 x 2 year extensions. Decisions on whether to utilise extension options will be based on a number of factors including supplier performance, budgetary considerations and market considerations.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73100000 - Research and experimental development services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Utilities
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
Competition is absent for technical reasons and there are no reasonable alternatives (Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5, paragraph 6): Through extensive work with National Grid since 2021, sees.ai has developed a distinct operational capability for conducting close-quarter, detailed Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) inspection missions on live transmission network assets from a remote location, including extended transits and the use of advanced communications links. As of May 2025, we understand Sees.ai to be the only company holding the specific and advanced Operational Authorisation from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)) required to deploy an exclusive capability critical for the delivery of National Grid's specific, advanced network inspection requirements. Operationalisation of this capability is enabled by continuation of joint intellectual property (IP) rights development; advanced proprietary technology; unique operational methodologies; and specialised in-house expertise, cultivated since 2018.
National Grid undertakes Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) network asset inspections internally. Other inspection methodologies do not meet National Grid's complex and evolving demands for routine, scalable, and data-rich network oversight. The technical complexity and demonstrated operational safety maturity required by the CAA for the issue of the requisite Operational Authorisation to deliver this work establishes a high technical barrier, resulting in an absence of competition from other third-party suppliers. There are no other reasonable alternatives to Sees.ai currently offering a service of directly comparable scope, precision, safety, or operational efficiency; nor has it been demonstrated to the CAA the critical technical infrastructure, proven methodology, and requisite safety case to meet the standards for obtaining authorisation to carry out this work.
Supplier
sees.ai Limited
- Companies House: 10143962
Lavant House
Chichester
PO18 9AB
United Kingdom
Email: info@sees.ai
Region: UKJ27 - West Sussex (South West)
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION PLC
- Companies House: 02366977
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHHJ-6513-BWZT
1 - 3 Strand
London
WC2N 5EH
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Private utility