Published date: 21 September 2021

Closed early engagement


Closing date: 11 October 2021

Contract summary

Industry

  • Unmanned aerial vehicles - 35613000

Location of contract

United Kingdom

Procurement reference

BLC-Aviation-0030

Published date

21 September 2021

Closing date

11 October 2021

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is undertaking a market engagement to determine what technical functionality currently exists for Airborne EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infra-Red) systems.

The imaging systems are intended for use on BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) remotely piloted aircraft systems: 'Drones'.

Alongside the imaging systems, NPAS is also looking at how airborne data links will permit live video imagery to be transmitted into force control rooms and operational resources on scene.

The information requested (due to be submitted onto this site by 17:00 (BST) on October 11th 2021) includes the submission of video footage which will demonstrate the capability of the EO/IR system.

High quality colour video, low light and infra-red imagery of sufficient detail and quality in daylight, low light and darkness is to be provided to demonstrate the EO/IR performance at operating heights, typical ranging from 500 to 1500 feet.

The aims of such systems are to enable situational awareness for the incident command team and facilitate risk assessment and operational decision making in real-time.

The video needs to demonstrate that the EO/IR systems provides:
• Clear visibility of a scene
• The capture of individual descriptive detail such as facial features and clothing.
• Identification of a vehicle make, model, colour and registration number.
• The recording of evidential detail at any given incident, location or scene.

The imaging systems are being classified into three weight bands:

• imaging system under 4kg total weight
• imaging system 4kg-10kg total weight
• imaging system 10kg-17kg total weight.

The Systems must be capable to operate on an aerial platform which will be airborne for a minimum of 4 hours and be operating up to 50km away from the base station.

The Equipment must be compliant with UK radiocommunications regulations and must not be subject to ITAR limitations on use.

The exercise is being undertaken via the EU Supply e-tendering portal:

https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/39631/0/0?returnUrl=ctm/Supplier/publictenders&b=BLUELIGHT

BLC-Aviation-0030 - RFI - Airborne EO/ IR Imaging Systems and Air to Ground Communication Systems for UAV/Drones

More information

Attachments

About the buyer

Contact name

Roy Towler

Address

Lloyd House
Birmingham
B4 6DG
England

Telephone

07929 726422

Email

roy.towler@bluelight.police.uk

Website

https://www.bluelightcommercial.police.uk/