Official UK procurement notice
NSpOC: Sovereign Sensor - Active RF Radar Capability
Authority: Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (Central government)
What is being bought
Published requirement description**This notice supercedes UK3 Planned Procurement Notice reference 2026/S 000-078126, which was issued on 3rd August and modified on 17th of August.**
**This contract is an Exempt Contract within the meaning of the Procurement Act 2023, in accordance with Schedule 2, paragraph 25 of the Act (national security).
Accordingly, this procurement does not constitute a covered procurement and the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 relating to covered procurements do not apply.
Where any provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 are expressed to apply more generally to a “procurement”, the Authority has determined that those provisions are inapplicable in the circumstances of this procurement, having regard to the fact that the application of any such provision would be inconsistent with, or would undermine the operation of, the national security exemption.
Any reference by the Authority to concepts, procedures or terminology derived from the Procurement Act 2023 is for convenience only and does not consititute an acknowledgment that the Act, or any particular provision of it, applies to this procurement or any resulting contract. **
The UK Space Agency (UKSA), as part of the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) programme, intends to commence a competitive procurement for the deployment of a sovereign, high‑power space surveillance radar in the Southern Hemisphere (final location is still to be determined but bidders should note the requirement to deploy into the Southern Hemisphere) to enhance the UK's Space Surveillance & Tracking (SST) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capability.
It is expected that the radar system will operate as a key national asset, providing enhanced detection, tracking and custody of resident space objects, particularly small-size debris and operational satellites in Low Earth Orbit. It will deliver significant improvements to UK resilience, space safety, collision avoidance, re-entry monitoring, fragmentation detection, and wider civil-military situational awareness objectives.
The budget for this hardware requirement is capped at £25,000,000 exclusive of VAT and will cover the following elements:
- Radar hardware (including, but not limited to, antenna systems, signal generation/timing/processing hardware, power systems, cooling and thermal management)
- Radar software (noting the Authority is likely to specify software covers both edge and cloud elements, with a 10 year licence including free security and basic maintenance updates)
- Software development to integrate software with wider Government systems (including capture and implementation of user stories/change requests to better exploit the equipment provided)
- Two separate training courses - one focused on tasking/sensor capabilities and one focused on hardware support and maintenance
- Obtaining spectrum rights and permissions: whilst the Authority will support the appointed contractor with this, responsibility will rest with the appointed contractor
- Software and hardware support and maintenance for the initial 3 year contract term
- Cyber assurance
- Project and contract management (including interface with the infrastructure contractor)
- Collaboration around installation and commissioning at final deployment location
The following is currently expected to be in scope of the infrastructure and enabling works contract, which is expected to be valued at £5,000,000 exclusive of VAT. Prospective bidders should note that at least some staff are likely to require SC or DV clearance for this requirement. To assist prospective bidders with planning, an indicative requirements list is provided below. Depending on final deployment location, some of these elements may not be required:
- Planning investigation and, if required, planning consents
- Site surveys and ground works (including environmental and site safety surveys)
- Enabling works to prepare the site for radar deployment (e.g. construction of concrete base)
- Site civils and foundations (design and build)
- Power and data connectivity
- Potential utilities connections as required (e.g. drainage)
- Collaboration around installation and commissioning at final deployment location
- Temporary or permanent access to site, as required
- Site security (e.g. perimeter fencing, CCTV, gates)
- Site support
- Project and contract management (including interface with the radar hardware contractor)
The following is expected to be in scope of neither contract:
- Ongoing utilities costs
- Spare components (the radar contractor will be expected to include in the pricing schedule the cost of spare components)
A suitable location for deployment has been identified but discussions cannot progress further until the actual equipment specification and characteristics are known. The appointed contractor will therefore be required to work closely with the Contracting Authority and the appointed infrastructure contractor to ensure successful deployment. Bidders will be provided with details of the broad location and constraining assumptions at PSQ stage to assist with technical responses, but should note the final location is unlikely to be disclosed until tender stage. The Contracting Authority will only enter into discussions relating to deployment locations with bidders under NDA, noting that detailed discussions will not be possible at SQ stage.
Please note the Contracting Authority will not respond to any further queries raised on the technical specification or conditions of participation at this point: these will need to be raised as formal clarifications via the e-tendering portal in accordance with the timetable specified in the procurement documents.
- How the procedure runs: **This notice relates to a procedure which is for an Exempt Contract within the meaning of the Procurement Act 2023, in accordance with Schedule 2, paragraph 25 of the Act (national security)""** Accordingly, this procurement does not constitute a covered procurement and the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 relating to covered procurements do not apply. Where any provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 are expressed to apply more generally to a "procurement", the Authority has determined that those provisions are inapplicable in the circumstances of this procurement, having regard to the fact that the application of any such provision would be inconsistent with, or would undermine the operation of, the national security exemption. The release of this Tender Notice confirms that the Contracting Authority has issued the Selection Questionnaire to suppliers who have expressed an interest in this procurement, as per the UK3 Planned Procurement Notice previously issued (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078126-2026?origin=SearchResults&p=1). Any prospective suppliers seeking access to the Selection Questionnaire for this requirement will be required to have an executed NDA in place. To obtain a copy of the NDA, please email details of your authorized signatory to uksa.commercial@dsit.gov.uk by 17:00 BST on Friday 17th October. This procedure is hosted on the Jaggaer e-procurement portal. Suppliers are required to register for both the Central Digital Platform (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-short-guides/suppliers-how-to-register-your-organisation-and-first-administrator-on-find-a-tender-in-three-easy-steps-html) and Jaggaer e-procurement portal (BEIS specific portal) at https://beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com. Procurement documentation will only be issued via Jaggaer to suppliers with an executed NDA in place: the Contracting Authority will not issue procurement documents via any other means, nor to suppliers without an executed NDA in place. Please note the Contracting Authority will not extend the PSQ submission deadline for bidders who do not request an NDA by the above deadline. As detailed in the procurement documentation on the portal, this Selection Questionnaire seeks to identify suppliers with the technical ability to fulfil this requirement, including through the completion of a scored technical question to demonstrate compliance with the specification. The Contracting Authority intends to invite up to five suppliers to the subsequent tender stages, as per the details set out in the procurement documentation. The Contracting Authority reserves the right to amend the procedure and will only communicate with bidders via Jaggaer in relation to this procedure.
CPV: Radar surveillance equipment
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1RenewalPublished value£25,000,000
- Economic & financial standing
As detailed in the procurement documentation:
- Completion of a Financial Viability Risk Assessment Tool, where a score of medium risk or above may result in exclusion
- Subsidiaries will be required to complete a Parent Company Guarantee (including satisfying specific requirements where parent companies reside in a different jurisdiction)
- Technical & professional ability
As detailed in the procurement documentation:
- At least one member of the project team should hold SC or DV clearance by point of contract award
- Software contractors/subcontractors will be required to hold at least Cyber Essentials Plus or an equivalent listed in the procurement documentation
- Example of a previous contract relating to SDA equipment development, manufacture and/or deployment
- 6-page summary of the proposed technical solution and how this meets the specification set out. This will be evaluated and scored from 0-100 with a minimum quality threshold of 60 set. Any bidder who scores below 60 will not progress to tender stage.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
As per the procurement documentation, this SQ includes a scored technical question evaluated on a 0-100 methodology where the highest scoring suppliers will be invited to tender stage.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (5)
- Technical Solution: Hardware: 25%
- Technical Solution: Software: 15%
- Project Management: 25%
- Systems Engineering, Assurance and Verification Plan: 25%
- Social Value: 10%
Published award criteria (5)
- Technical Solution: Hardware: This question will build on the technical question asked at SQ stage and ask for bidders to demonstrate their proposed hardware solution and its compliance to the specification.
- Technical Solution: Software: Bidders will be asked to detail their proposed technical solution and how the software complies with the requirements set out in the specification.
- Project Management: Bidders are asked to produce a project management plan covering the manufacture phase of the requirement, including scheduling, resourcing, risk management, work package breakdown and resource capability.
- Systems Engineering, Assurance and Verification Plan: Bidders are asked to produce a plan covering details of the system architecture and design (hardware and software) and the verification and validation plan to confirm successful integration of hardware and software.
- Social Value: In accordance with PPN 026: The Social Value Model, with a focus on jobs and skills creation.
- Economic & financial standing
As detailed in the procurement documentation:
- Completion of a Financial Viability Risk Assessment Tool, where a score of medium risk or above may result in exclusion
- Subsidiaries will be required to complete a Parent Company Guarantee (including satisfying specific requirements where parent companies reside in a different jurisdiction)
- Technical & professional ability
As detailed in the procurement documentation:
- At least one member of the project team should hold SC or DV clearance by point of contract award
- Software contractors/subcontractors will be required to hold at least Cyber Essentials Plus or an equivalent listed in the procurement documentation
- Example of a previous contract relating to SDA equipment development, manufacture and/or deployment
- 6-page summary of the proposed technical solution and how this meets the specification set out. This will be evaluated and scored from 0-100 with a minimum quality threshold of 60 set. Any bidder who scores below 60 will not progress to tender stage.
- Condition of participationshortlisting
As per the procurement documentation, this SQ includes a scored technical question evaluated on a 0-100 methodology where the highest scoring suppliers will be invited to tender stage.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 21 May 2026, 08:51 BST
- Last source update
- 21 Sept 2026, 14:12 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 16 Jul 2027
- Authority reference
UKSAC26_0046- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-089184- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-069e5cFind a Tender
- How it runs
**This notice relates to a procedure which is for an Exempt Contract within the meaning of the Procurement Act 2023, in accordance with Schedule 2, paragraph 25 of the Act (national security)""**
Accordingly, this procurement does not constitute a covered procurement and the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 relating to covered procurements do not apply. Where any provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 are expressed to apply more generally to a "procurement", the Authority has determined that those provisions are inapplicable in the circumstances of this procurement, having regard to the fact that the application of any such provision would be inconsistent with, or would undermine the operation of, the national security exemption.
The release of this Tender Notice confirms that the Contracting Authority has issued the Selection Questionnaire to suppliers who have expressed an interest in this procurement, as per the UK3 Planned Procurement Notice previously issued (www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078126-2026 ↗).
Any prospective suppliers seeking access to the Selection Questionnaire for this requirement will be required to have an executed NDA in place. To obtain a copy of the NDA, please email details of your authorized signatory to uksa.commercial@dsit.gov.uk by 17:00 BST on Friday 17th October.
This procedure is hosted on the Jaggaer e-procurement portal. Suppliers are required to register for both the Central Digital Platform (www.gov.uk/government/publicati… ↗) and Jaggaer e-procurement portal (BEIS specific portal) at beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com ↗. Procurement documentation will only be issued via Jaggaer to suppliers with an executed NDA in place: the Contracting Authority will not issue procurement documents via any other means, nor to suppliers without an executed NDA in place.
Please note the Contracting Authority will not extend the PSQ submission deadline for bidders who do not request an NDA by the above deadline.
As detailed in the procurement documentation on the portal, this Selection Questionnaire seeks to identify suppliers with the technical ability to fulfil this requirement, including through the completion of a scored technical question to demonstrate compliance with the specification. The Contracting Authority intends to invite up to five suppliers to the subsequent tender stages, as per the details set out in the procurement documentation.
The Contracting Authority reserves the right to amend the procedure and will only communicate with bidders via Jaggaer in relation to this procedure.
- Risks
Delays in securing approvals required for the deployment site's confirmation may result in an extension to this requirement.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 15 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline
- 15 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 15 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
SQ responses must be submitted electronically via the Jaggaer BEIS e-procurement portal: beisgroup.ukp.app.jaggaer.com ↗. Please note that prospective suppliers must be invited to this procedure on Jaggaer as it is by invitation only once an NDA has been executed, it is not possible to find this procedure via searching on the portal.
Timeline
21 May 2026 → 1 Aug 2027 · 8 dates- Planning notice published159 days ago21 May 2026, 08:51 BST
- Market engagement101 days ago17 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
DSIT conducted a previous round of pre-market engagement on Friday the 17th of April. Following this, it is our intention to make some changes to this procedure in response to supplier feedback. We would like to invite suppliers to a webinar to outline these updates on Thursday the 16th of July 14:00 - 15:00. We will be outlining a number of changes to the procedure:
- Splitting the original contract (UKSAC26_0005) into two separate contracts. This contract (UKSAC26_0046) will cover the manufacture of the radar capability (including software capabilities). It will not cover the enabling works associated with the radar, though the appointed supplier will be expected to support installation and to work with DSIT and the appointed infrastructure contractor to ensure successful installation and handover. UKSAC26_0047 will cover the enabling works and installation of the radar.
- We will update on our position in relation to international primes in relation to this tender. It is still DSIT's intention to issue this procurement as a national security exempt procedure, but we have listened to feedback and considered how to better manage the security risks associated with this tender.
- We will provide an update on the anticipated location of deployment based on the feasibility study currently underway.
- We will provide an update on the anticipated timetable and procedure, which we expect to remain broadly similar to that set out at the previous pre-market engagement event.
If you wish to attend the webinar, please email commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk. We will offer a limited number of 1:1 engagement slots on the same basis as before following the webinar (these sessions will be minuted and the contents kept confidential to the project team) - we will prioritise these slots for those companies intending to prime the radar equipment tender (not the infrastructure tender, which separate pre-market engagement will be undertaken for). If you wish to request a slot, please specify this when emailing.
- Next notice expected42 days ago14 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published36 days ago21 Sept 2026, 14:00 BST
- Clarification questions by12 days ago15 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission deadline12 days ago15 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Today27 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 262 days16 Jul 2027, 23:59 BST
- Contract startsin 277 days1 Aug 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
11 events · 8 releases on Find a Tender · since 21 May 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published21 May 2026, 08:51 BSTUK2
- Pipeline notice published22 May 2026, 08:35 BSTUK1
- Status changed to planned22 May 2026, 08:35 BST
- Planned procurement notice published3 Aug 2026, 10:29 BSTUK3
- Procurement method changed3 Aug 2026, 10:29 BST
- Planned procurement notice published17 Aug 2026, 13:19 BSTUK3
- Planned procurement notice published17 Aug 2026, 13:21 BSTUK3
- Tender notice published21 Sept 2026, 14:00 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active21 Sept 2026, 14:00 BST
- Tender notice published21 Sept 2026, 14:04 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published21 Sept 2026, 14:12 BSTUK4
Published amendments (3)
Following internal assurance, the Contracting Authority is making a number of changes to this requirement: * This will be run as a Procurement Act 2023 competitive flexible procedure. It will no longer be issued under the National Security exemption. * Social value will no longer be examined at SQ stage; it will be assessed at tender stage and the question will relate to the Government's recently …
Following internal assurance, the Contracting Authority is making a number of changes to this requirement: * This will be run as a Procurement Act 2023 competitive flexible procedure. It will no longer be issued under the National Security exemption. * Social value will no longer be examined at SQ stage; it will be assessed at tender stage and the question will relate to the Government's recently …
Removed some erroneous content from the scope section
Routine re-releases (8)
- 2026-08: 3 releases · 3 Aug 2026, 17 Aug 2026
- 2026-05: 2 releases · 21 May 2026, 22 May 2026
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (9)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: Documents are provided to invited bidders on the e-procurement portal. This includes a copy of the feasibility study prepared for the Contracting Authority which has informed the development of this requirement. Prospective bidders can find this in the "attachments" section.
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender