Tactical Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Managed Service

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 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.

(A ‘Task Line’ is provision of 8 hours of continuous sensor coverage in any 24 hour period.) The contract will be for three (3) years fixed with the option of extensions up to but not exceeding one (1) year. There is a requirement for the service to be fully operational within four months of the contract being awarded.

The timelines will be fully detailed in the UK4 Tender Notice PLEASE NOTE: The Home Office will be using the Government Commercial Agency Space Technology Solutions Dynamic Market (RM6370) for this procurement. See ‘Submission’ section for further information.