Earth Observation Pilot - Suppliers Event

Geospatial Commission

Notice of Pre-Market Engagement

Earth Observation Pilot

Background

The Geospatial Commission (GC) is an independent, expert committee responsible for setting the UK's geospatial strategy and coordinating public sector geospatial activity. Its aim is to unlock the significant economic, social and environmental opportunities offered by location data and to boost the UK's global geospatial expertise in accordance with the UK Geospatial Strategy published in July 2020. The GC has a portfolio of public sector contracts which includes:

- Public Sector Geospatial Agreement (PSGA), - Aerial Photography of Great Britain (APGB) - Postcode Address File (PAF)

These collective purchase contracts provide the public sector with free at the point of use access to critical location data. This supports the development of policies and the delivery of effective, efficient public services.

Recent research co-funded by the GC and Satellite Applications Catapult has identified increasing demand for commercial Earth Observation (EO) data amongst public sector bodies, which we are seeking to test through a pilot. This will enable the GC to understand the potential for a public sector wide collective purchase approach to EO in the future.

(see "Investigating UK public sector demand for Earth Observation technology")

Current Challenge

To understand more about both the potential for EO within the public sector and how the market can assist in meeting this increasing demand the GC is seeking to run a 12 month pilot. The Earth Observation Pilot (EO Pilot) will require a supplier to provide commercial EO data and data services to a select group of public sector organisations. These will be representative of both the differing types of public sector organisations as well as the various levels of maturity in terms of their EO capability and experience. The EO Pilot will be used to test the products, data infrastructure and access technologies to inform a future collective access model.

How do I get involved?

The procurement route for the EO Pilot will be a competition via Crown Commercial Service (CCS). It will utilise the Space Enabled and Geospatial Dynamic Purchasing System (SEG DPS) (RM6235). The GC will host a webinar on 8 September 2022 at 11-12pm to present further details of the EO Pilot. Suppliers will have a period of 12 days to provide feedback on the proposal.

To attend the webinar please email [email protected] by 6th September 2022 with the company name and email address(es) of the attendee(s). You will also need to confirm your company is currently registered on the DPS or intends to register to be eligible to bid for the EO Pilot.

Disclaimer The Geospatial Commission does not guarantee that a procurement will be launched and is not responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by any potential supplier in registering their interest.