{ "uri": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsReleasePackages/ocds-h6vhtk-05034c?limit=100&updatedTo=2026-08-06T04:41:13", "version": "1.1", "extensions": [ "https://standard.open-contracting.org/profiles/eu/latest/en/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_amendment_rationale_classifications_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_budget_breakdown_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_contract_completion_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_documentation_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_pagination_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_suitability_extension/master/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/portaledcahn/ocds_Links_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cabinetoffice/ocds_uk_extension/main/extension.json", "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/open-contracting-extensions/ocds_performance_failures_extension/master/extension.json" ], "publishedDate": "2026-07-24T12:26:19+01:00", "publisher": { "name": "Cabinet Office", "scheme": "GB-GOR", "uid": "D2", "uri": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office" }, "license": "http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/", "publicationPolicy": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-contracting", "releases": [ { "id": "044898-2025", "tag": [ "tender" ], "date": "2025-07-31T16:16:06+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05034c", "parties": [ { "name": "Defence Equipment and Support", "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PVRL-5831-GLMM" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "MOD Abbey Wood", "locality": "Bristol", "postalCode": "BS34 8JH", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKK12" }, "contactPoint": { "name": "Rachel Barnes", "email": "rachel.barnes852@mod.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "name": "Defence Equipment and Support" }, "tender": { "id": "Project Reference", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Project Corvus - Army Land Tactical Deep Find", "description": "Project Corvus - Procurement of an Uncrewed Air System capabiity to support the Army Land Tactical Deep Find 24-hr Persistent Surveillance Requirement", "status": "active", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "35613000", "description": "Unmanned aerial vehicles" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "value": { "amountGross": 156000000, "amount": 130000000, "currency": "GBP" }, "procurementMethod": "selective", "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure", "procedure": { "features": "The Project Corvus Competitive Flexible procurement will include a Participation Phase, with a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) being released concurrently with this advert via the AWARD link as advertised below. The PSQ purpose is to identify potential tenderers who can Participate in the competition, and also to provide and gather further information from the market. Responses to questions asked will be assessed by the Authority, therefore potential PSQ responses will need to include as much evidence as possible (within the word limits stated) to provide a level of confidence to enable Authority decisions on Participation, including any Authority decision not to invite tenderers to Participate and submit tender proposals.\nThe PSQ participation period shall commence from issue of this Tender Notice and the PSQ (both being released concurrently) to the Participation end date stated in this notice which is 29 August 2025. Potential tenderers wishing to participate in Corvus should submit their PSQ responses by this date in order to proceed to the next stage of the Corvus competition. Any PSQ responses not received by the deadline will not be assessed, and as such will NOT be invited to tender. The Authority reserves the right to not invite Tenders from suppliers who have been judged by the Authority to have FAILED the PSQ.\nThe Authority will accept clarification questions (from the date the feature is available in AWARD), until the 18th August 2025. The Authority will seek to reply to any clarification questions no later than 15:00 on Friday 22nd August 2025.\nIMPORTANT: In order to participate, suppliers will need to be registered to receive the PSQ and Tender documentation via the Commerce Decisions AWARD tool. All potential tenderers can register in preparation for the relevant information being available soon.\nhttps://award.commercedecisions.com/corvus/web/project/c258ac4d-9685-43a9-b3ca-6679af094b28/register\nCurrent Planned Step Process (noting this may be subject to change):\nSTEP 1\tHMT PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT (PME) (Preliminary Engagement Notice UK 2) (COMPLETE)\nSTEP 2\tPME QUESTIONNAIRE EVALUATION AND RESPONSES (COMPLETE)\nSTEP 3\tPME NOTICE 2 (COMPLETE)\nSTEP 3A PLANNED PROCUREMENT NOTICE (COMPLETE)\nSTEP 4\tTENDER NOTICE AND PROCUREMENT SPECIFIC QUESTIONNAIRE (PSQ)\nSTEP 5\tPSQ RESPONSES ASSESSMENT AND MODERATION\nSTEP 6\tIDENTIFY PARTICIPATING TENDERERS AND INFORM SUPPLIERS NOT INVITED TO PARTICIPATE \nSTEP 7\tINVITATION TO TENDER (ITT) RELEASE\nSTEP 8\tITT CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS OPEN (ICQ)\nSTEP 9\tPOTENTIAL VIRTUAL BIDDERS CONFERENCE\nSTEP 10\tFINAL ICQ RESPONSES ISSUED BY AUTHORITY\nSTEP 11\tTENDERS SUBMITTED\nSTEP 12\t AUTHORITY CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS (ACQ)\nSTEP 13\tINITIAL TENDER ASSESSMENT (WITH PASS FAIL ON KEY REQUIREMENTS)\nSTEP 14\tNOTIFY TENDERERS NOT PROCEEDING TO FULL TENDER ASSESSMENT (OPTIONAL)\nSTEP 15\tFULL TENDER ASSESSMENT AND ACQ FREEZE\nSTEP 16\tIDENTIFY PREFERRED SUPPLIER\nSTEP 17\tCONTRACT AWARD AND STANDSTILL" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "goods", "specialRegime": [ "defenceSecurity" ], "aboveThreshold": true, "submissionMethodDetails": "https://award.commercedecisions.com/corvus/web/project/c258ac4d-9685-43a9-b3ca-6679af094b28/register", "submissionTerms": { "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed", "languages": [ "en" ] }, "expressionOfInterestDeadline": "2025-08-29T17:00:00+01:00", "enquiryPeriod": { "endDate": "2025-08-18T17:00:00+01:00" }, "awardPeriod": { "endDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00" }, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "status": "active", "value": { "amountGross": 156000000, "amount": 130000000, "currency": "GBP" }, "awardCriteria": { "criteria": [ { "type": "cost", "name": "To be determined - percentage weighting to be defined.", "description": "To be determined", "numbers": [ { "number": 100, "weight": "percentageExact" } ] } ] }, "selectionCriteria": { "criteria": [ { "description": "To be determined", "forReduction": true } ] }, "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-05-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2031-04-30T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2036-04-30T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "renewal": { "description": "Extension of support arrangements for a further period" }, "hasOptions": true, "options": { "description": "Additional equipment and/or additional years' support; procurement and/or capability enhancement through spiral development" } } ], "documents": [ { "id": "conflictOfInterest", "documentType": "conflictOfInterest", "description": "Not published" }, { "id": "future", "documentType": "biddingDocuments", "accessDetails": "PSQ, ITT and associated documentation, including requirements, to be issued via the AWARD tool" }, { "id": "044898-2025", "documentType": "tenderNotice", "noticeType": "UK4", "description": "Tender notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044898-2025", "datePublished": "2025-07-31T16:16:06+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "language": "en" }, { "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05034c", "id": "070248-2026", "date": "2026-07-24T12:26:19+01:00", "tag": [ "tenderUpdate" ], "parties": [ { "name": "Defence Equipment and Support", "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PVRL-5831-GLMM" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "MOD Abbey Wood", "locality": "Bristol", "postalCode": "BS34 8JH", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKK12" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "rachel.barnes852@mod.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "name": "Defence Equipment and Support" }, "tender": { "id": "UAS/00122", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Project Corvus - Procurement of an Uncrewed Air System to support the Army Land Tactical Deep Find 24-hr Persistent Surveillance RequirementDeep Find", "status": "unsuccessful", "lots": [ { "id": "1", "status": "unsuccessful" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "070248-2026", "documentType": "awardNotice", "noticeType": "UK5", "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070248-2026", "datePublished": "2026-07-24T12:26:19+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "language": "en" }, { "id": "041060-2025", "tag": [ "planning" ], "date": "2025-07-17T16:01:30+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "planning": { "documents": [ { "id": "041060-2025", "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice", "noticeType": "UK3", "description": "Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041060-2025", "datePublished": "2025-07-17T16:01:30+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05034c", "parties": [ { "name": "Defence Equipment and Support", "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PVRL-5831-GLMM" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "MOD Abbey Wood", "locality": "Bristol", "postalCode": "BS34 8JH", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKK12" }, "contactPoint": { "name": "Rachel Barnes", "email": "rachel.barnes852@mod.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "name": "Defence Equipment and Support" }, "tender": { "id": "714672450 PROJECT CORVUS", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Army Land Tactical Deep Find Project Corvus", "description": "Procurement of an Uncrewed Air System capabiity to support the Army Land Tactical Deep Find 24-hr Persistent Surveillance Requirement", "status": "planned", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "35613000", "description": "Unmanned aerial vehicles" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "value": { "amountGross": 156000000, "amount": 130000000, "currency": "GBP" }, "procurementMethod": "selective", "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure", "procedure": { "features": "Planned Procurement Notice Information:\nThe Project Corvus Competitive Flexible competitive procurement will include a Participation Phase, with a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) being released by end July 2025 (estimated). The PSQ purpose is to gather further information and to identify potential tenderers who can participate in the competition. Responses to questions asked will be assessed by the Authority, therefore potential PSQ responses will need to include as much evidence as possible to provide a level of confidence to enable Authority decisions on Participation including any Authority decision not to invite tenderers to submit their bids.\nA virtual Bidders Conference may take place to allow for final questions and information sharing before tender submissions.\nIMPORTANT: In order to participate, suppliers will need to be registered to receive the PSQ and subsequent Tender documentation via the Commerce Decisions AWARD tool. All potential tenderers can register in preparation for the relevant information being available soon.\nhttps://award.commercedecisions.com/corvus/web/project/c258ac4d-9685-43a9-b3ca-6679af094b28/register\nCurrent Planned Step Process (noting this may be subject to change):\nSTAGE 1\tHMT PRE-MARKET ENGAGEMENT (PME) (Preliminary Engagement Notice UK 2) (COMPLETE)\nSTAGE 2\tPME QUESTIONNAIRE EVALUATION AND RESPONSES (COMPLETE)\nSTAGE 3\tPME NOTICE 2 (COMPLETE)\nSTAGE 3A\tPLANNED PROCUREMENT NOTICE\nSTAGE 4\tTENDER NOTICE AND PROCUREMENT SPECIFIC QUESTIONNAIRE (PSQ)\nSTAGE 5\tPSQ RESPONSES ASSESSMENT AND MODERATION\nSTAGE 6\tIDENTIFY PARTICIPATING TENDERERS AND INFORM SUPPLIERS NOT INVITED TO PARTICIPATE \nSTAGE 7\tINVITATION TO TENDER (ITT) RELEASE\nSTAGE 8\tITT CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS OPEN (ICQ)\nSTAGE 9\tPOTENTIAL VIRTUAL BIDDERS CONFERENCE\nSTAGE 10\tFINAL ICQ RESPONSES ISSUED BY AUTHORITY\nSTAGE 11\tTENDERS SUBMITTED\nSTAGE 12\t AUTHORITY CLARIFICATION QUESTIONS (ACQ)\nSTAGE 13\tINITIAL TENDER ASSESSMENT (WITH PASS FAIL ON KEY REQUIREMENTS)\nSTAGE 14\tNOTIFY TENDERERS NOT PROCEEDING TO FULL TENDER ASSESSMENT (OPTIONAL)\nSTAGE 15\tFULL TENDER ASSESSMENT AND ACQ FREEZE\nSTAGE 16\tIDENTIFY PREFERRED SUPPLIER\nSTAGE 17\tCONTRACT AWARD AND STANDSTILL" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "goods", "specialRegime": [ "defenceSecurity" ], "aboveThreshold": true, "submissionTerms": { "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed", "languages": [ "en" ] }, "expressionOfInterestDeadline": "2025-11-01T23:59:00+00:00", "awardPeriod": { "endDate": "2026-04-30T23:59:59+01:00" }, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "status": "planned", "value": { "amountGross": 156000000, "amount": 130000000, "currency": "GBP" }, "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-05-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2031-04-30T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2036-04-30T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "renewal": { "description": "Potential for a x 5 year support extension" }, "hasOptions": true, "options": { "description": "Potential Options to procure additional equipment and support" } } ], "communication": { "futureNoticeDate": "2025-10-31T23:59:59+00:00" } }, "language": "en" }, { "id": "027744-2025", "tag": [ "planning" ], "date": "2025-05-27T13:36:08+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05034c", "parties": [ { "name": "Defence Equipment and Support", "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PVRL-5831-GLMM" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "MOD Abbey Wood", "locality": "Bristol", "postalCode": "BS34 8JH", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKK12" }, "contactPoint": { "name": "Rachel Barnes", "email": "rachel.barnes852@mod.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "name": "Defence Equipment and Support" }, "planning": { "milestones": [ { "id": "engagement", "type": "engagement", "description": "Project Corvus Clarification Questions (CQs)\nProcurement Act 2023\nIssue 001\nIn the interests of transparency, please find below a list of fifteen (15) clarification questions relating to Project Corvus and, where known, answers to these questions. \nFurther notices will be published in due course on the ‘Find a Tender Service’ and ‘DSP.’ \nThe current anticipated timeline for full ITT to be published is by Quarter 3 (three) Tax Year 2025/26.\nAll KURs are being reviewed and final requirements will be shared within the Tender documents. \nThe Authority envisage that the single Contract will be let to an Original Equipment Manufacturer / Prime Contractor who will be required to provide the equipment and support to meet the Army's requirements. The solution must be of a high readiness level, be technologically agile, and capable of undergoing spiral development in future years to meet continuously evolving requirements.\nInterested parties are encouraged to be working towards Cyber Essentials + accreditation prior to the launch of the full Tender. \nDefence Equipment and Support are the Contracting Authority, and the information contained within this notice is subject to contract and subject to change at the Authority's sole discretion.\nQuestion 1: Is there an upper weight limit or anything that caps the size of the platform being offered?\nAnswer 1: We are not specifying an upper size limit; however, survivability and tactical mobility are key considerations that will be balanced against the size of any platform.\nQuestion 2: We would like to raise a CQ to ask if it is permissible to share content relating to the CORVUS requirements with a third party subcontractor, who is non UK based?\nAnswer 2: All information available on ‘Find a Tender Service’ is able to be shared. However, during future phases of the procurement, information classifications may change. Handling instructions for higher classifications of information will be shared as appropriate in advance utilising a Security Aspects Letter (SAL) and guidance as appropriate.\nQuestion 3: How are you planning to procure the security assurance required to validate that the UAS' you procure are suitable from a security perspective and do in fact meet your requirements? \nWe noted that you expected the procured UAS' to be secure by design.\nWill the supplier need to provide evidence of this, or do you require independent third party assurance that this is the case? If the latter, what route to market will you use to procure those professional services?\nAnswer 3: We would expect the supplier to have done this testing, providing appropriate evidence for Requirement Acceptance.\nWhere additional assurance is required (for example in support of the Air System Safety Case or the Secure by Design requirement) independent assurance may be needed. This will be secured via the DE&S Single Front Door to determine whether the service is provided by Expert Services or a Delivery Partner.\nQuestion 4: Will there be a new Industry Engagement event?\nAnswer 4: We are unable to provide any additional details at this time. All future notices will be published on ‘Find a Tender Service’ and within ‘DSP’.\nQuestion 5: Please can you confirm if this opportunity is being procured through the HMT Framework, or if it is open to all suppliers?\nAnswer 5: The project will be run under the Procurement Act 2023 regime and is therefore open to all suppliers. All future notices will be published on ‘Find a Tender Service’ and within ‘DSP’. \nQuestion 6: Please can you confirm whether the intent is to require the embodiment of an approved Detect and Avoid capability?\nAnswer 6: There is no threshold requirement for detect and avoid, but a detect and avoid system will be considered as part of the Air System Safety Case as part of the Layered Safety approach.\nQuestion 7: KUR 2. Sense (ISTAR and Targeting). What NIIRS levels and accuracies of detection ranges and geolocation are required for DRI? This is likely to determine the size of payload and thus the type/size of the AV. Is COMINT/ELINT required?\nAnswer 7: Following feedback from Industry, KUR performance guidance is being reviewed. Updated KUR details will be published later in the year.\nQuestion 8: KUR 4. Survivability. What is the definition of a denied environment? Is it from take-off to landing or only over the target area? What is the definition of “Contested airspace”? What is defined as GNSS denial – GPS denial or Spoofing? What is the level of interference on EMS?\nAnswer 8: Following feedback from Industry, KUR performance guidance is being reviewed. Updated KUR details will be published later in the year.\nQuestion 9: KUR 5. Deploy and Sustain Operations. Can the definition of “Specific environments” be clearly defined in terms of meteorological and environmental.\nAnswer 9: Following feedback from Industry, KUR performance guidance is being reviewed. Updated KUR details will be published later in the year.\nQuestion 10: KUR 8. Capability Development. What is the MOD’s Spiral Development priorities? What are the update cycles envisaged?\nAnswer 10: Following feedback from Industry, KUR performance guidance is being reviewed. Updated KUR details will be published later in the year.\nQuestion 11: KUR 9. Policy Compliance. Clarification requested on standards to be applied. KUR 9 clearly states MAA, but the RFI also refers to “... the Authority believes that there will need to be CAA/MAA/EASA or equivalent approvals...”. \nAnswer 11: An approval (e.g. CAA. MAA, EASA) will be required for any demonstrations held as part of the tender process. Full MAA approval will be required for the selected system before entry into service and will be achieved as part of the project delivery.\nQuestion 12: We recently became aware of Project CORVUS, however, by the time we did the RFI deadline had passed\nAnswer 12: The RFI is not a pre-requisite to engaging in future phases of the procurement. Please keep watch for future notices and publications which will be made within ‘DSP’ and ‘Find a Tender service’. \nQuestion 13: As part of the system solution is the requirement to supply all the vehicles to support the 2 x TL’s, i.e. REME vehicles/ G4 logs vehicles or will these be current in-service vehicles such as LR, EPLS or MAN SV trucks?\nAnswer 13: The transport solution is for the CORVUS specific element only (i.e. GCS and Air Vehicles). 47 Regt RA will maintain their current Basic User Fleet (BUF) for the transportation of personnel and non-CORVUS specific equipment.\nQuestion 14: We would like to understand if the training requirement is mainly focused on the flying crews, L&R and maintainers, or will Op’s staff also form part of the requirement?\nAnswer 14: The minimum training requirement will be for the conversion of flying crews, launch and recovery (L&R) personnel and maintainers only. However, if there are any specific communications systems or software that will be used by the Signallers or Operations staff then training should be provided for that as well. It is also recognised that wider training will be required for the full delivery of the Land Tactical Deep Find capability that may be delivered by CORVUS. This will be informed by a full Training Needs Analysis that will be conducted to support the delivery of the project.\nQuestion 15: If a full new vehicle type / fleet for the system and support elements is required, does driving and maintainer training on the new vehicle variant also form part of the requirement?\nAnswer 15: Depending on the vehicle type, driver training / familiarisation and maintainer training would be required, unless it is already available through the military (e.g. driving licence training / examination would not be required if the vehicle requires a C licence).\n- End -", "dueDate": "2025-09-30T23:59:59+01:00", "status": "scheduled" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "027744-2025", "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice", "noticeType": "UK2", "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027744-2025", "datePublished": "2025-05-27T13:36:08+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "tender": { "id": "714672450 PROJECT CORVUS", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement 2", "description": "The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to provide answers to clarification questions asked following the previous notice: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015277-2025.\nDue to the announcement made by the Secretary of State for Defence to the House of Commons on Wednesday 20th November 2024, the Army are seeking to replace the Watchkeeper system with a new Uncrewed Air System (UAS) to deliver the Land Tactical Deep Find (LTDF) 24hr persistent surveillance requirement; under the title Project CORVUS.\nProject CORVUS is a CAT B procurement that has been launched in order to procure a new UAS to meet the Army's LTDF requirement, with the stretch target of a Minimum Deployable Capability in calendar year 2025.\nDefence Equipment and Support are the Contracting Authority, and the information contained within this notice is subject to contract and subject to change at the Authority's sole discretion.\nOverview of the Requirement:\nWith the UAS market being an increasingly evolving sector, the Army are seeking to procure a modern, deployable, easily supportable and cost-effective capability. Delivery would be across all the Defence Lines of Development (DLoD) but as this is replacing a pre-existing capability, it is preferrable the CORVUS capability minimises the pan-DLoD changes required to the Army as the operator.\nThe Authority envisage that the single Contract will be let to an Original Equipment Manufacturer / Prime Contractor who will be required to provide the equipment and support to meet the Army's requirements. The solution must be of a high readiness level, be technologically agile, and capable of undergoing spiral development in future years to meet continuously evolving requirements.\nThe Authority expect this capability to be acquired through a competitive procurement run under the Procurement Act 2023 regulations.\nThere is currently an expectation that down-selected Tenderers will be required to conduct a live demonstration of their capability, with the details of the demonstration and location yet to be determined. The location may either be a UK Military Facility or at the OEMs designated premises. However, in order to achieve the demonstration, the Authority believe that there will need to be CAA / MAA / EASA or equivalent clearances in place or close to approval.", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "35613000", "description": "Unmanned aerial vehicles" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "value": { "amountGross": 156000000, "amount": 130000000, "currency": "GBP" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "goods", "specialRegime": [ "defenceSecurity" ], "aboveThreshold": true, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "suitability": { "sme": true, "vcse": true }, "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-04-30T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2031-04-30T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2036-04-30T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "status": "planned" } ], "communication": { "futureNoticeDate": "2025-10-31T23:59:59+00:00" }, "status": "planned" }, "language": "en" }, { "id": "024998-2025", "tag": [ "planningUpdate" ], "date": "2025-05-22T14:36:15+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "planning": { "documents": [ { "id": "024998-2025", "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice", "noticeType": "UK1", "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024998-2025", "datePublished": "2025-05-22T14:36:15+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05034c", "parties": [ { "name": "Defence Equipment and Support", "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PVRL-5831-GLMM" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "MOD Abbey Wood", "locality": "Bristol", "postalCode": "BS34 8JH", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKK12" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "rachel.barnes852@mod.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "name": "Defence Equipment and Support" }, "tender": { "id": "Pj CORVUS", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Project Corvus - Army Land Tactical Deep Find", "description": "Procurement of an Uncrewed Air System capability to support the Army Land Tactical Deep Find 24-hr Persistent Surveillance requirement", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "35613000", "description": "Unmanned aerial vehicles" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "value": { "amountGross": 156000000, "amount": 130000000, "currency": "GBP" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "goods", "specialRegime": [ "defenceSecurity" ], "aboveThreshold": true, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-05-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2031-04-30T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2036-04-30T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "status": "planned" } ], "communication": { "futureNoticeDate": "2025-10-31T23:59:59+00:00" }, "status": "planned" }, "language": "en" }, { "id": "024831-2025", "tag": [ "planning" ], "date": "2025-05-22T13:39:18+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "planning": { "documents": [ { "id": "024831-2025", "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice", "noticeType": "UK1", "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024831-2025", "datePublished": "2025-05-22T13:39:18+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05034c", "parties": [ { "name": "Defence Equipment and Support", "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PVRL-5831-GLMM" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "MOD Abbey Wood", "locality": "Bristol", "postalCode": "BS34 8JH", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKK12" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "rachel.barnes852@mod.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "name": "Defence Equipment and Support" }, "tender": { "id": "Pj CORVUS", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "Project Corvus - Army Land Tactical Deep Find", "description": "Procurement of an Uncrewed Air System capability to support the Army Land Tactical Deep Find 24-hr Persistent Surveillance requirement", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "35613000", "description": "Unmanned aerial vehicles" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "value": { "amountGross": 156000000, "amount": 130000000, "currency": "GBP" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "goods", "specialRegime": [ "defenceSecurity" ], "aboveThreshold": true, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2026-05-01T00:00:00+01:00", "endDate": "2031-04-30T23:59:59+01:00", "maxExtentDate": "2036-04-30T23:59:59+01:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "status": "planned" } ], "communication": { "futureNoticeDate": "2026-04-30T23:59:59+01:00" }, "status": "planned" }, "language": "en" }, { "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05034c", "id": "015277-2025", "tag": [ "planning" ], "date": "2025-04-15T14:44:35+01:00", "initiationType": "tender", "parties": [ { "name": "Defence Equipment and Support", "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "identifier": { "scheme": "GB-PPON", "id": "PVRL-5831-GLMM" }, "address": { "streetAddress": "MOD Abbey Wood", "locality": "Bristol", "postalCode": "BS34 8JH", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom", "region": "UKK12" }, "contactPoint": { "email": "DefComrcl-SystemsGuidance@mod.gov.uk" }, "roles": [ "buyer" ], "details": { "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support", "classifications": [ { "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE", "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment", "description": "Public authority - central government" } ] } } ], "buyer": { "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM", "name": "Defence Equipment and Support" }, "planning": { "milestones": [ { "id": "engagement", "type": "engagement", "description": "You are invited to complete the questionnaire (link in the description of this notice).", "dueDate": "2025-04-30T23:59:59+01:00", "status": "scheduled" } ], "documents": [ { "id": "015277-2025", "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice", "noticeType": "UK2", "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender", "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015277-2025", "datePublished": "2025-04-15T14:44:35+01:00", "format": "text/html" } ] }, "tender": { "id": "Pj CORVUS", "legalBasis": { "id": "2023/54", "scheme": "UKPGA", "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents" }, "title": "UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement - Pj CORVUS RFI", "description": "Description:\nThe purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to notify the market of Project CORVUS and request engagement from industry partners to inform the acquisition strategy.\nDue to the announcement made by the Secretary of State for Defence to the House of Commons on Wednesday 20th November 2024, the Army are seeking to replace the Watchkeeper system with a new Uncrewed Air System (UAS) to deliver the Land Tactical Deep Find (LTDF) 24hr persistent surveillance requirement; under the title Project CORVUS. \nProject CORVUS is a CAT B procurement that has been launched in order to procure a new UAS to meet the Army’s LTDF requirement, with the stretch target of a Minimum Deployable Capability in calendar year 2025.\nDefence Equipment and Support are the Contracting Authority, and the information contained within this notice is subject to contract and subject to change at the Authority’s sole discretion.\nOverview of the Requirement:\nWith the UAS market being an increasingly evolving sector, the Army are seeking to procure a modern, deployable, easily supportable and cost-effective capability. Delivery would be across all the Defence Lines of Development (DLoD) but as this is replacing a pre-existing capability, it is preferrable the CORVUS capability minimises the pan-DLoD changes required to the Army as the operator.\nThe Authority envisage that the single Contract will be let to an Original Equipment Manufacturer / Prime Contractor who will be required to provide the equipment and support to meet the Army’s requirements. The solution must be of a high readiness level, be technologically agile, and capable of undergoing spiral development in future years to meet continuously evolving requirements.\nThe Authority expect this capability to be acquired through a competitive procurement run under the Procurement Act 2023 regulations. \nThere is currently an expectation that down-selected Tenderers will be required to conduct a live demonstration of their capability, with the details of the demonstration and location yet to be determined. The location may either be a UK Military Facility or at the OEMs designated premises. However, in order to achieve the demonstration, the Authority believe that there will need to be CAA / MAA / EASA or equivalent clearances in place or close to approval.\nThe below details an overview of the current Key User Requirements.\n1\tThe User Shall Be Able To (TUSBAT) conduct Land Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations using an Uncrewed Air System (UAS) (Land Tactical Deep Find (LTDF) capability) across the Divisional and Corps Deep battlespace.\n2\tTUSBAT conduct persistent, and wide area ISTAR by accurately Detecting, Recognising, Identifying (DRI), tracking, and designating land and maritime targets in real-time using payloads in cooperation.\n3\tTUSBAT securely communicate with other users and disseminate ISTAR information and platform data at a low-latency, integrating with existing, expected, and emerging Land and Joint ISR/ISTAR Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED) applications and systems.\n4\tTUSBAT operate across both contested airspaces and Electromagnetic Spectrums (EMS), including in a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) denied environment.\n5\tTUSBAT launch LTDF at short notice, operate and sustain operations in specified environments without any degradation, and recover the AV for subsequent missions.\n6\tTUSBAT operate the capability expeditiously and remain mobile, tactically, operationally, and strategically.\n7\tTUSBAT operate and maintain LTDF with no additional workforce from 47 Regt RA’s current workforce requirement and with minimal impact to current training requirements.\n8\tTUS have a technologically agile capability that can be spirally developed to remain relevant with evolving threats and operational needs.\n9\tTUSBAT ensure that the capability meets the Land Industrial Strategy Objectives Framework (LISOF) and maintains compliance with current Ministry of Defence (MOD) security policies, safety policies and Military Aviation Authority (MAA) regulatory articles.\nThe Customer initially requires 2 x Task Lines, each able to provide 24 hours of persistent surveillance. The CORVUS capability will require to be supported for 5 years from Minimum Deployable Capability. There will be Contractual Options included to increase the number of Task Lines and extended years of support should the capability prove its cost effectiveness. However, the initial procurement and therefore Total Value communicated in this notice is for 2 x Task Lines and 5 years of support.\nIn order to inform the Authority further, you are hereby kindly invited to complete the below Questionnaire prior to the 30th April 2025. Commercially Sensitive information will not be shared outside of DE&S and the Army without prior consent of the author of the information.\nLink to Project CORVUS Questionnaire:\nhttps://forms.office.com/e/D8Y4wSn4Hw", "items": [ { "id": "1", "additionalClassifications": [ { "scheme": "CPV", "id": "35613000", "description": "Unmanned aerial vehicles" } ], "deliveryAddresses": [ { "region": "UK", "country": "GB", "countryName": "United Kingdom" } ], "relatedLot": "1" } ], "value": { "amountGross": 156000000, "amount": 130000000, "currency": "GBP" }, "mainProcurementCategory": "goods", "specialRegime": [ "defenceSecurity" ], "aboveThreshold": true, "lots": [ { "id": "1", "contractPeriod": { "startDate": "2025-12-31T00:00:00+00:00", "endDate": "2030-12-31T23:59:59+00:00", "maxExtentDate": "2035-12-31T23:59:59+00:00" }, "hasRenewal": true, "status": "planning" } ], "status": "planning" }, "language": "en" } ] }