Published date: 6 November 2023

This notice was replaced on 17 November 2023

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 29 February 2024, last edited 1 March 2024)

Closed early engagement


Contract summary

Industry

  • Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation - 34000000

  • Transport services (excl. Waste transport) - 60000000

  • Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services - 63000000

    • Financial and insurance services - 66000000

    • IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support - 72000000

    • Research and development services and related consultancy services - 73000000

Location of contract

United Kingdom

Procurement reference

UKSAC23_0099

Published date

6 November 2023

Closing date

17 November 2023

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Unlocking Space for Business (USB) is a new programme being delivered by the UK Space Agency to support businesses in the Financial Services and Transport & Logistics sectors to:

• Better understand and prioritise how innovations in satellite data and services, combined with complementary data sources, can drive businesses benefits;

• Connect with leading data suppliers, aggregators, technology integrators and insight providers;

• Apply for Government funding to support the delivery of benefits from satellite data and services, through pilot projects, data procurement or partnerships.

Satellite data and services already underpin over 17% of UK GDP, with innovation continuing to unlock new opportunities for business. Harnessing satellite data and services with complementary data sources can unlock new opportunities for businesses, from revenue growth and operational efficiencies to customer experiences and environmental, social and governance (ESG) benefits.


Unlocking Space for Business is now planning to launch a Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) competition, offering eligible organisations the chance to apply for a share of up to £2 million, inclusive of VAT,in an initial phase 1 competition to develop commercially viable innovative feasibility studies, that aim to combine terrestrial technologies with satellite data and services, to be adopted by customers in the Transport & Logistics and Financial Services sectors. The contracts will be up to £200,000 inclusive of VAT for each project for up to 6 months.

Projects will involve one or more of the three types of commercial satellite data and services:
• satellite imagery (earth observation)
• satellite connectivity & communications
• position, navigation & timing (PNT)

Projects will focus on, prioritising:
• new revenue growth opportunities
• improved customer experiences
• operational efficiencies
• environmental, social and governance (ESG) benefits

Applications are encouraged from organisations that can combine terrestrial data and services - such as AI, Quantum, machine learning and geospatial data - with satellite data and services, can provide analysis to derive value-added insights, to develop innovative solutions to customers in the UK Transport & Logistics and the Financial Services sectors.

UKSA reserves the right to launch a phase 2 of this competition, subject to the outcomes from this phase 1

The competition for Phase 1 of the programme is scheduled to launch with the publication of an Invitation to Tender (ITT) in November 2023, with successful projects beginning in January 2024.

Further details will be outlined at the engagement event listed below, and then confirmed at the point publication.

Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unlocking-space-for-business

Please note this is not a call for competition and UK Space Agency reserves the right not to commence any procurement or award any Contract in respect of this opportunity

More information

Additional text

An online pre-competition engagement event will be hosted by UK Space Agency on 15th November, with the aim of informing potential suppliers about the proposed Unlocking Space for Business Programme competition, including its scope, application process and timelines. It will also outline the role of UKSA and USB in meeting the National Space Strategy. The event will provide an opportunity for potential applicants to ask questions about the proposed competition.

UKSA encourages attendance from potential applicants that can combine terrestrial data and services with satellite data and services, within the Transport & Logistics and/or Financial Services sectors.

To attend the event and to hear more about upcoming activities, please register via the following link: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=BXCsy8EC60O0l-ZJLRst2K9HQlNBrBVKoCVbG4CUardUQUlROENIV05PWkJHTDhFOU1ZVkpGWVU2MSQlQCN0PWcu

If you can not attend a recording will be made available after the event to everyone that registered on the above link.

About the buyer

Address

Polaris House,North Star Avenue
SWINDON
SN21SZ
England

Email

UnlockingSpaceforBusiness@ukspaceagency.gov.uk