UK Space Agency - Strategic and Operational Support to the International Charter: Space and Major Disasters

Summary

The International Charter: Space and Major Disasters (“the Charter”) is a global agreement which aims to provide a unified system of space data acquisition and delivery to those affected by natural or man-made disasters. It enables the transmission of Earth Observation (EO) satellite data to pre-authorised resilience and emergency response bodies in response to “activations”.

Charter members are national government bodies or recognised space system organisations that own or operate Earth observation satellite missions and contribute resources to support, coordinate and govern ongoing Charter operations. Members work collectively to provide assured, coordinated and timely access to satellite data to support recognised rescue and resilience authorities, helping to minimise losses and save lives.

The UK has been a Charter member since 2005 and continues to play an active leadership role in this highly valued global initiative.

To meet its national obligations, the UK Space Agency (UKSA), a directorate within DSIT, requires technical/specialist:

These capabilities are currently being delivered under contract to UKSA, with re-procurement activity for new contracts anticipated to be undertaken no earlier than mid July 2026.

In line with UK Government policy, the UK does not operate sovereign EO assets and instead leverages commercial providers. UKSA therefore intends to procure two contracts to deliver these services, with an anticipated service go live of March–April 2027 and for contract terms anticipated to be up to a maximum duration of four years.

Purpose

UKSA is undertaking pre-market engagement (PME), in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, to assess market capability and inform the development of its procurement strategy and tender documentation.

The primary activity within this PME is for organisations to complete a questionnaire for either or both Strategic Support services or Operational Support services. This questionnaire is designed to assess market capability, capacity and readiness to deliver the requirements as set out in draft Specifications. The draft Specification(s) for both Strategic Support services and Operational Support services are available on request by contacting: UKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk PME submissions must be made via the questionnaire(s) forms by Wednesday 17 June 2026. See below for links to the Microsoft Forms

Information Session (Pre-Market Engagement Event)

UKSA will host an online Information Session via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 28 May 2026 at 13:00–15:00 (UK time).

The session is intended to support interested organisations to engage effectively with this PME and provide early visibility of planned procurement activity relating to the Disaster Charter. It will:

A transcript of the presentation can be provided on request for those unable to attend.

For attendance, interested suppliers are requested to confirm attendance by 17:00 on 27 May 2026 by emailing UKSA.commercial@dsit.gov.uk where invitations will be issued following receipt of request.

Emails should include the subject line: “PME Request – Info Session Disaster Charter Operational and Strategic Support – <Respondent’s Organisation>”

Questionnaire

Organisations capable of, or interested in, delivering all or part of the requirements are encouraged to respond. Responses should be concise and high-level. The questionnaire is not evaluated or scored and will not determine participation in any future procurement.

The questionnaire for Strategic Support services is available in the following MS form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xt2WLvkRqq

The questionnaire for Operational Support services is available in the following MS form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/8ThmBT60n0

Participation in this PME does not constitute any commitment by UKSA to procure or fund activities, nor does it confer any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent procurement process.

Information provided will be used solely for pre-market engagement purposes.

Personal information will be handled in line with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology privacy policy:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dsit-correspondence-privacy-notice/privacy-notice-relating-to-correspondence-received-by-dsit

UKSA thanks respondents for their input and encourages suppliers to monitor Find a Tender for future contract opportunities.