Active Debris Removal (ADR) Phase 3 Research and Development Service

This notice relates to the intended procurement for a contract which is an exempted contract under s 3(6) and Schedule 2, Part 2 (Subject-matter exempted contracts), paragraph 22 (Research and Development Services) of the Procurement Act 2023 (the 'Act'). Exempted contracts are not a public contract as defined in s3 of the Act and therefore are not required to be procured in accordance with the provisions of the Act that relate to a covered procurement.

This notice is published on Find a Tender for information, to direct interested potential suppliers to the notice available on competefor.com.

The UK Active Debris Removal Phase 3 Research and Development Service (ADR Mission) is a UK national project that aims to support the In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing ("ISAM") and Sustainability priorities set out in the UK Space Agency's Corporate Plan as well as the National Space Strategy (NSS) ambitions to lead the global effort to make space more sustainable.

The ADR Mission requires the safe capture and subsequent removal of two UK-licensed defunct satellites in the congested LEO region (Client Satellites) by the Servicer Satellite. These Client Satellites must be unprepared for capture; that is, not fitted with technologies intended to aid ISAM, such as docking plates and fiducial markers. The Client Satellites must also be completely uncooperative and will have been passivated to ensure safe capture by the Servicer.

Through this Procurement, the Authority will select one Supplier to deliver the UK ADR Mission. The Supplier will deliver the Contract in accordance with the Authority's requirements as specified in Schedule 2: Service Description of the Contract.

For further information, please see the notice available on competefor.com, or access the e-sourcing platform.