Official UK procurement notice
Drone and Drone Services (1356)
Authority: Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (Public body)
What is being bought2 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe Drones and Drone Services framework offers two call-off award procedures: Award Without Competition and Competitive Selection Process.
The solution is to support the public sector in the purchase of drones and associated products and services.
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 3 Mar 2031, 23:59 GMT.
CPV: Unmanned aerial vehicles
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Places
- up to 100 suppliers
- Framework period
- 4 yrs from 1 Mar 2027
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
2% of call-off value · 2% retrospective rebate will be payable by Providers on all contractual spend. No other associated fees will be charged.
Who may buy through it
YPO is one of the largest Public Sector Buying Organisations in the UK, purchasing on behalf of many other public sector organisations named and/or described in the following link: www.ypo.co.uk/about/customers/perm… ↗
Published description of the framework
This framework as been designed in line with the Procurement Act 2023.
The Framework will be for a period of 4 years in total. No extensions have been implemented.
The method for Call-off will be Competitive Selection Process and Award Without Competition based on customers individual requirements. Further details can be found in the procurement documents.
Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure
2 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 2 lots carries the same published figure, £500,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Supply of Drones with Associated Products and Servicesceiling above
This lot is for the provision of supply, maintenance, accessories and managed services. Examples of these (but not limited to) are shown below.
- Any aircraft operating or designed to operate autonomously or to be piloted remotely without a pilot on board. Drones operating within Open, Specific or Certified categories and to include accessories carried by drones.
- Maintenance and servicing of drones
- Design and building of drones
- Technical training on specific drones
- Relevant software and hardware solutions, such as ground control stations and data management.
- Associated hardware such as docking stations, charging solutions and other safety related solutions – including signage such as ‘Drones in operation’.
- Drones with a managed service
- Remotely operated vehicles (ground or submersible)
- Economic & financial standing
Please refer to procurement documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please refer to procurement documents.
Lot #2Drone Servicesceiling above
This lot is for the provision of drone services. Examples of these (but not limited to) are shown below.
- Surveillance
- Surveying
- Inspection and data collection
- Spraying
- Firefighting
- Mapping and data analysis
- Transportation /delivery of goods or persons
- Operator training
- Droneport infrastructure design / operations
- Advice and support services related to drone operations
- Other tasks performed by drones
- Economic & financial standing
Please refer to procurement documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please refer to procurement documents.
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 (3)
- Quality including Delivery and Customer Service: 45%
- Cost: 35%
- Social Value and Sustainability: 20%
Published award criteria (3)
- Quality including Delivery and Customer Service
- Cost
- Social Value and Sustainability
- Economic & financial standing
Please refer to procurement documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please refer to procurement documents.
- Price carries 35 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3.5 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Drone and Drone Services (1356)” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 100 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Competition analysis · published record, not a forecast of who will bid
How Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation runs Military aircrafts (CPV 3561) tenders for its clients, and who usually turns up
Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation procures on behalf of other bodies; its record below covers every client it has tendered for, next to the published market for the same work. This notice is a framework or DPS, so only frameworks and DPS are compared. Whole-market view: Military aircrafts (CPV 3561) →
How the contest usually goes
Winner shares use published awards; bid and price charts use contested lots.
i
How often small and medium firms win.
Share of awards where the winner’s size is known.
The counts under this question show how many awards have a known supplier size.
Small firms have won here. Neither number says whether you qualify; it describes who has been winning.
i
How often local firms win similar work.
Winners with a registered address in the delivery region, out of awards with a known address.
Here, local means the winner is registered in the region where that contract was delivered.
A local branch does not count if the registered address is elsewhere.
Most of this buyer’s recorded winners are registered outside Yorkshire and the Humber.
i
How long buyers here take to decide after bids close.
Middle value in days from the deadline to the first award notice, on competitions that published both dates.
Only decided tenders count, so slow ones still waiting are not in.
Half of these awards were announced within 99 days of the bid deadline.
i
How often work is awarded with no recorded rival.
Direct awards and tenders where every published lot count shows one bid.
The market share is a minimum: some awards have no bid count.
Thin markets produce this too; it is not proof of a tailored specification.
Missing bid counts may hide more single-bid awards. This share is a minimum.
How many bids did past lots attract?
i
How many bids past lots received.
Each colour is a bid-count range. Only competed lots with a published count are included.
Past bids do not predict this tender.
1 bid11% / 0%
2–315% / 40%
4–621% / 47%
7+53% / 13%
How did awards compare with estimates?
i
Where winning prices landed against estimates.
Each colour shows awards below, close to or above the published estimate, one lot at a time.
On a framework or DPS, prices are agreed when work is called off.
Past prices are a guide, not a bid price.
Not comparable on a framework or DPS. The notice sets up a supplier panel and a ceiling value; what the work actually costs is agreed later, on each call-off or mini-competition, and those publish as contract notices of their own. The award-vs-estimate record of this market therefore sits on the call-offs; this page shows it on the contracts, not on the panel that frames them.
Assess each lot i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
i
What past awards tell you about each lot.
See the forecast, this buyer’s earlier suppliers and firms with relevant wins.
No supplier is confirmed as a bidder.
Open a lot for its forecast, this buyer’s previous supplier and possible competitors, from published award history, not a bid list
Lot #1Supply of Drones with Associated Products and ServicesCPV 35613000Published estimate£500m
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid3%
2–332%
4–625%
7+40%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £103m2 awards in 36m · last 4 months ago | 1 live · £100m iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | no comparable pairs | |
Leica GeosystemsLarge | £1.8m9 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 2 live · £675k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 30% above n=1 |
Coptrz LtdLarge | £848k14 awards in 36m · last 5 months ago | 4 live · £194k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | no comparable pairs |
| £12m8 awards in 36m · last 13 months ago | 1 live · £36k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | 15% above n=1 | |
| £4.2m3 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | None on file | no comparable pairs |
Lot #2Drone ServicesCPV 35613000Published estimate£500m
i
How many bids this lot may attract.
The forecast uses similar past competitions. The bar shows either that forecast or past bid counts; the line below says which.
Each lot shows its own forecast based on its own category; forecasts for different lots of the same notice are not comparative.
A forecast, not a list of bidders.
1 bid3%
2–333%
4–624%
7+40%
i
Where the award price may land.
The forecast uses similar awards and the buyer’s estimate. The band covers the middle half of likely prices.
No comparable awards for this lot yet.
A statistical guide from past awards, not a price to bid.
Who has supplied this buyer on similar work? i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
i
Who has done similar work for this buyer.
Past contracts are matched by buyer, title and type of work.
A past supplier may not bid again.
No earlier contract of this buyer matches this lot on the published record.
Who could compete for this lot? i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
i
Who could compete for this lot?
Firms with relevant past wins. On a framework, we show firms on that agreement.
None is confirmed as a bidder.
| Supplier | Won in this category | Live contracts | Award vs estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| £3.4m3 awards in 36m · last 5 months ago | 1 live · £759k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | at estimate n=2 | |
| £205k2 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | 1 live · £40k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | no comparable pairs | |
Coptrz LtdLarge | £848k14 awards in 36m · last 5 months ago | 4 live · £194k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | no comparable pairs |
Vimpex LtdSME | £2.4m6 awards in 36m · last 2 months ago | None on file | no comparable pairs |
| £14k1 awards in 36m · last 11 months ago | 1 live · £14k iPublic contracts this supplier still holds. Its awards whose published end date is still in the future, with their values. Many contracts publish no end date, so this is a floor, not the whole book. Unexpired says nothing about spare capacity. | no comparable pairs |
About this data
- Source. Official UK public procurement notices (Find a Tender), reused under the Open Government Licence v3.0. New notices arrive through the day; the figures are rebuilt nightly.
- Two views, kept apart. The authority’s own track record and the wider market for the same kind of work sit side by side and are never mixed. Where the local picture is too thin, a figure widens to a broader market and says which one it used.
- Forecasts are labelled. The price forecast and its range, possible competitors and the match score are our estimates from past awards: not published facts, not win chances and not price advice. Official notices do not say who is bidding.
- Every figure shows what it rests on. Not every notice publishes a bid count, a value or a delivery region, so each figure carries the number of records behind it, and one built on few records is marked as such. The on a figure explains it; the counting rules are in the methodology. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Open admission
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use the vehicle
- YPO is one of the largest Public Sector Buying Organisations in the UK, purchasing on behalf of many other public sector organisations named and/or described in the following link: https://www.ypo.co.uk/about/customers/permissible-users
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 3 Mar 2031
- First published
- 7 Aug 2026, 15:18 BST
- Last source update
- 12 Oct 2026, 11:47 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 15 Feb 2027
- Authority reference
001356- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-096010- Latest notice
- Tender notice (UK4)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06df58Find a Tender- Contract terms summary
Please refer to tender particulars for further information.
- Risks
The Lots defined in the Tender Notice are aligned with the administrative boundaries as of April 2026.
YPO reserves the right to modify these Lot boundaries during the term of the framework to ensure continued alignment with UK Government devolution, local government reorganisation or legislative requirement changes.
Any such modifications will be communicated.
How to participate & submission route
Official notice Apply via YPO eSourcing- Requests to participate (first stage)
- —
- Appointment period ends
- 11 Nov 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Clarification deadline
- 30 Oct 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · 2% of call-off value · 2% retrospective rebate will be payable by Providers on all contractual spend. No other associated fees will be charged.
Please refer to tender particulars for further information.
Timeline
7 Aug 2026 → 1 Mar 2027 · 8 dates- Planning notice published74 days ago7 Aug 2026, 15:18 BST
- Market engagement59 days ago21 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST
Your support will enable us to shape the solution to meet yours and your customer’s needs.
YPO reserves the right to not commit to advertising this tender if we do so wish. Any information provided by suppliers prior to any advertising of the tender will not be used to determine the outcome of any processes. Should YPO wish to proceed further a formal procurement process will be followed in accordance with YPO's contract procedure rules.
Please note that this notice is to undertake early supplier engagement only, information is being sought without prejudice and without commitment. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email the named contact on this notice. [email protected]
- Next notice expected18 days ago1 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published8 days ago12 Oct 2026, 11:47 BST
- Today20 Oct 2026
- Clarification questions byin 10 days30 Oct 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Admission / appointment period endsin 22 days · period end, not a bid countdown11 Nov 2026, 14:00 GMT
- Award decision expected byin 119 days15 Feb 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 132 days1 Mar 2027
Notice history
5 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 7 Aug 2026- Preliminary market engagement notice published7 Aug 2026, 15:18 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published12 Oct 2026, 11:47 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active12 Oct 2026, 11:47 BST
- Procurement method changed12 Oct 2026, 11:47 BST
- Deadline published: 11 Nov 2026, 14:00 GMT12 Oct 2026, 11:47 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Nothing awarded yet- Awards (0)
- No award published
- Contracts (0)
- No contract published
- Bid statistics
- No aggregate bid statistics published
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (2)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender