Request For Information - In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts

{
  "id": "035409-2026",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2026-04-17T18:50:49+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0685ca",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-PPON-PRTY-4245-MTJY",
    "name": "UK Space Agency"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0685ca",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planning",
        "contractPeriod": {
          "endDate": "2030-12-30T23:59:59Z",
          "startDate": "2026-10-01T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK",
            "country": "GB",
            "countryName": "United Kingdom"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "32530000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Satellite-related communications equipment"
          },
          {
            "id": "34700000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Aircraft and spacecraft"
          },
          {
            "id": "35631100",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Communication satellites"
          },
          {
            "id": "35631200",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Observation satellites"
          },
          {
            "id": "35631300",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Navigation satellites"
          },
          {
            "id": "60500000",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Space transport services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Request For Information - In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts",
    "status": "planning",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "2023/54",
      "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents",
      "scheme": "UKPGA"
    },
    "description": "The UK Space Agency (UKSA) considers In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) as a critical capability for strengthening the UK's position in space and supporting both civil and defence objectives.\nAt Space Comm Expo in March 2026, the Government announced new investment to strengthen the UK's In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities.\nThe purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to seek industry feedback to inform the UK Space Agency's options for deploying this funding through potential future ISAM mission(s). Through this RFI, UKSA is seeking views on possible mission concepts that could demonstrate or enable ISAM capabilities. In particular UKSA wishes to understand: \n• The feasibility of Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD) enabled ISAM Missions; \n• Indicative costs (as a range) of delivery; \n• Delivery timescales.\nThis Request For Information (RFI) builds on existing market engagement activity and is intended to inform the UK Space Agency's options appraisal, financial assurance and business case development for potential mission concepts, including how such concepts could be developed and taken forward in line with UK public sector commercial, assurance and governance frameworks, prior to any financial commitment. \nResponses to this RFI will not be evaluated and this RFI does not constitute a commitment to procure or fund any activity. Information provided will be used solely to inform future programme planning, mission design and options development, with decisions on delivery models (including whether to proceed with a procurement of a contract or a grant call) and any subsequent competition remaining subject to applicable UK public sector requirements. Specific timelines will be subject to the feedback received from this RFI.\nWithin the next spending review period, the aims and objectives of the In-Orbit Servicing Mission are as follows. \nAIM-01. Demonstrate safe, reliable, repeatable RPOD and robotic operations in orbit to give global satellite operators confidence in adoption and position UK ISAM companies to service this demand.\nOBJ -001  Conduct In Orbit RPOD Mission(s). \nOBJ-002 Demonstrate \"service layer\" concept through proof-of-concept demonstration and critical elements de-risking.\nTo view the RFI in full, including the questionnaire for those interested in providing information on mission concept(s) to the UK Space Agency please contact the following inbox:\nUKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk \nWe will respond with:\n- Request For Information: In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts (full version including question set)\n- Response template (in MS Word)\nPlease note responses to the RFI questions must be received by Friday 29 May 2026.",
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-PPON-PRTY-4245-MTJY",
      "name": "UK Space Agency",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ14",
        "country": "GB",
        "locality": "Didcot",
        "postalCode": "OX11 0DF",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Quad Two Building 1st Floor, Rutherford Avenue, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
            "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Public authority - central government"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "PRTY-4245-MTJY",
        "scheme": "GB-PPON"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Geraint Harris",
        "email": "commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "planning": {
    "documents": [
      {
        "id": "035409-2026",
        "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035409-2026",
        "format": "text/html",
        "noticeType": "UK2",
        "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
        "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
        "datePublished": "2026-04-17T18:50:49+01:00"
      }
    ],
    "milestones": [
      {
        "id": "engagement",
        "type": "engagement",
        "status": "scheduled",
        "dueDate": "2026-05-29T23:59:59+01:00",
        "description": "To view the RFI in full, including the questionnaire for those interested in providing information on mission concept(s) to the UK Space Agency, please contact the following inbox: \nUKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk \nWe will respond with:\n- Request For Information: In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts\n- Response template (in MS Word)\nResponses to the RFI must be received by Friday 29 May 2026, and should be submitted in PDF format by email to the following inbox:\nUKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk \nEmails should include the subject line: \n\"RFI Response - In-Orbit Servicing Mission Concepts -"
      }
    ]
  },
  "initiationType": "tender"
}