715928480-CUAS Exploration · UK public procurement notice

• How the procedure runs: This tender notice begins an iterative procurement process via the Commercial X Dynamic Market, which will contain multiple stages and will include one or more contracts awarded at various stages through the procurement procedure. For the avoidance of doubt, all funding for any contracts is subject to funding approvals as well as successful demonstration of product development throughout sequential procurement phases. The aim with multiple stages is to narrow down viable solutions throughout. The Authority reserves the right under section 24. of PA2023 to refine the award criteria and their relative importance, at each stage. Refinement will consist of (a) publishing sub-criteria falling within the published level 1 criteria, and (b) adjusting weightings within the published ranges. No new level 1 criterion will be published. Refined criteria and any consequential change to tender documents will be republished before the relevant ITT is issued. The stated figure in this notice of £150,000,000 inc. VAT is aligned to the current understanding of the Strategic Defence Review, but this does not mean that this funding has been approved and is an indicative figure only. The intention is to begin Stage 1 with immediate effect, but future stages will not proceed until funding has been allocated and approved. The current planning for the procurement phases consist of: Stage 1 - A capability assessment to determine that the initial problem statements can be achieved by industry partners. Suppliers are requested to provide an evidence-based high level programme plan, that shows a planned route towards meeting the problem statement above, supported by demonstrations, modelling, analysis and testing as necessary or where possible. For Stage 1 submissions are to be submitted via the UKDI Online Submission Service where you will need to register for an account if you don’t already have one. Only proposals submitted through https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/log-in-or-register-for-a-ukdi-account will be accepted. Prior to submission of any proposal, a Supplier must request to join the Commercial X Dynamic Market, as detailed below. Submit a proposal - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-and-security-accelerator-how-to-submit-a-proposal Applying to onboard to the Dynamic Market: Registration is simple. Firstly, you will need to ensure you have created a company profile on the Central Digital Platform (paste URL into browser): https://signin.account.gov.uk/sign-in-or-create Your application to the Dynamic Market needs to be completed on the Defence Sourcing Portal. If you are not registered, click Supplier Registration and follow the instructions provided. Then, to join the Dynamic Market: 1. On the home page, click 'view DSP opportunities' 2. make sure you’re in the 'current opportunities tab' 3. click the 'filters' drop down and select 'project info' 4. in the 'value' field type 'Commercial X' and click 'search' You should be able to access the ‘PQQ’ event that we are using for the applications. There is also downloadable content available in the opportunity listing providing further information about the Dynamic Market. No contract shall be awarded at this stage, but success is required to continue to Stage 2. All suppliers who demonstrate achievement of the threshold criteria shall be invited to Stage 2. Stage 2 – The Suppliers should develop their Stage 1 proposals into fully costed, contractable proposals to demonstrate their capabilities, and future capabilities in a project that occurs over a period of 6 months. Level 1 Weightings are anticipated to fall within the following brackets: Technical – 60-80% Commercial – 20%-40% Under Section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023, the Authority has the right to refine these evaluation criteria, including their relative importance. The Authority will publish refinements to the criteria and sub-criteria within the notice and associated tender documents. Contracts will be awarded based on score and budget availability within the £5m limit. Detailed instructions regarding the submission of tenders and evaluation of Stage 2 will be publicised prior to the commencement of Stage 2. Stage 2 activity will be conducted entirely using the Defence Sourcing Portal. Stage 3 - This Phase will include either a competitive process (which may include negotiation) or a negotiation of a single direct award contract depending on the number of successful suppliers at completion of the Stage 2 contracts. The contract(s) shall contain multiple phases, for the scaling and production of the capability to include (but not be limited to) testing, assurance, safety and security which will include break points where aspects cannot be proven within the necessary timescales. The contract(s) awarded at this stage of the procurement shall conclude this procurement process. Under Section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023, the Authority has the right to refine these evaluation criteria, including their relative importance. The Authority will publish refinements to the criteria and sub-criteria within the notice and any associated tender documents. Note that there is no guarantee that future funding will be allocated or approved and the Authority may cancel the procurement process at any time. Bidders proceed knowing and accepting this risk that no effort shall be compensated. The contracting authority reserves the right to directly award a contract for similar services without further competition pursuant to Schedule 5 paragraph 8 including to other parts of the Ministry of Defence. Supporting Event 9th September 2026 – A launch webinar providing further detail on the operational context of the problem space and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998732361297?. Please ensure you have read the competition document fully before attending.
• No preliminary market engagement: Preliminary market engagement has not taken place

CPV: Research services · Weapons, ammunition and associated parts

Procedure method

Competitive flexible procedure

Legal basis

UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023

Procurement category

Services

Notice status

Closed

Procurement threshold

Above threshold (FTS publication)

Regulatory regime

Defence & security

Commercial structure

Call-off under a framework

Competition type

Competitive procedure

GPA / WTO covered

Unspecified in notice

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

2 Sept 2026, 14:22 BST

Last source update

2 Sept 2026, 14:22 BST

Award evaluation window

Submission end – 3 Dec 2026

FTS notice number

2026/S 000-083090

Accelerated

Using dynamic market

Latest notice

Tender notice (UK4)

Classification (CPV)

Research servicesWeapons, ammunition and associated parts

Delivery area

Not published

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-06f06f Find a Tender

How it runs

This tender notice begins an iterative procurement process via the Commercial X Dynamic Market, which will contain multiple stages and will include one or more contracts awarded at various stages through the procurement procedure. For the avoidance of doubt, all funding for any contracts is subject to funding approvals as well as successful demonstration of product development throughout sequential procurement phases. The aim with multiple stages is to narrow down viable solutions throughout.

The Authority reserves the right under section 24. of PA2023 to refine the award criteria and their relative importance, at each stage. Refinement will consist of (a) publishing sub-criteria falling within the published level 1 criteria, and (b) adjusting weightings within the published ranges. No new level 1 criterion will be published. Refined criteria and any consequential change to tender documents will be republished before the relevant ITT is issued.

The stated figure in this notice of £150,000,000 inc. VAT is aligned to the current understanding of the Strategic Defence Review, but this does not mean that this funding has been approved and is an indicative figure only.

The intention is to begin Stage 1 with immediate effect, but future stages will not proceed until funding has been allocated and approved.

The current planning for the procurement phases consist of:

Stage 1 - A capability assessment to determine that the initial problem statements can be achieved by industry partners. Suppliers are requested to provide an evidence-based high level programme plan, that shows a planned route towards meeting the problem statement above, supported by demonstrations, modelling, analysis and testing as necessary or where possible.

For Stage 1 submissions are to be submitted via the UKDI Online Submission Service where you will need to register for an account if you don’t already have one. Only proposals submitted through www.gov.uk/government/collectio… ↗ will be accepted.

Prior to submission of any proposal, a Supplier must request to join the Commercial X Dynamic Market, as detailed below.

Submit a proposal - www.gov.uk/guidance/defence-and… ↗

Applying to onboard to the Dynamic Market:

Registration is simple. Firstly, you will need to ensure you have created a company profile on the Central Digital Platform (paste URL into browser):

signin.account.gov.uk/sign-in-or-create ↗

Your application to the Dynamic Market needs to be completed on the Defence Sourcing Portal. If you are not registered, click Supplier Registration and follow the instructions provided.

Then, to join the Dynamic Market:

1. On the home page, click 'view DSP opportunities'
2. make sure you’re in the 'current opportunities tab'
3. click the 'filters' drop down and select 'project info'
4. in the 'value' field type 'Commercial X' and click 'search'

You should be able to access the ‘PQQ’ event that we are using for the applications. There is also downloadable content available in the opportunity listing providing further information about the Dynamic Market.

No contract shall be awarded at this stage, but success is required to continue to Stage 2.

All suppliers who demonstrate achievement of the threshold criteria shall be invited to Stage 2.

Stage 2 – The Suppliers should develop their Stage 1 proposals into fully costed, contractable proposals to demonstrate their capabilities, and future capabilities in a project that occurs over a period of 6 months.

Level 1 Weightings are anticipated to fall within the following brackets:

Technical – 60-80%

Commercial – 20%-40%

Under Section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023, the Authority has the right to refine these evaluation criteria, including their relative importance. The Authority will publish refinements to the criteria and sub-criteria within the notice and associated tender documents.

Contracts will be awarded based on score and budget availability within the £5m limit. Detailed instructions regarding the submission of tenders and evaluation of Stage 2 will be publicised prior to the commencement of Stage 2.

Stage 2 activity will be conducted entirely using the Defence Sourcing Portal.

Stage 3 - This Phase will include either a competitive process (which may include negotiation) or a negotiation of a single direct award contract depending on the number of successful suppliers at completion of the Stage 2 contracts. The contract(s) shall contain multiple phases, for the scaling and production of the capability to include (but not be limited to) testing, assurance, safety and security which will include break points where aspects cannot be proven within the necessary timescales. The contract(s) awarded at this stage of the procurement shall conclude this procurement process.

Under Section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023, the Authority has the right to refine these evaluation criteria, including their relative importance. The Authority will publish refinements to the criteria and sub-criteria within the notice and any associated tender documents.

Note that there is no guarantee that future funding will be allocated or approved and the Authority may cancel the procurement process at any time. Bidders proceed knowing and accepting this risk that no effort shall be compensated.

The contracting authority reserves the right to directly award a contract for similar services without further competition pursuant to Schedule 5 paragraph 8 including to other parts of the Ministry of Defence.

Supporting Event

9th September 2026 – A launch webinar providing further detail on the operational context of the problem space and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page: www.eventbrite.com/e/1998732361297 ↗.

Please ensure you have read the competition document fully before attending.

Requests to participate (first stage)

23 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST

Submission deadline

23 Sept 2026, 12:00 BST

Submission channel

Official e-sourcing portal

Electronic submission

Allowed

Accepted languages

en