Mercury Drone Port - Concessionaire Contract Opportunity - PIN

What this is

Angus Council is engaging with the market for a future concessionaire contract to operate the Mercury Drone Port in Montrose, a key Tay Cities Deal project aimed at becoming a world-leading BVLOS drone trial facility. The concessionaire will develop design specifications for ground and air infrastructure, supply air-related equipment, and operate the drone port. Ground infrastructure (approximately GBP 400,000) will be funded and delivered by the Council. A Request for Information is invited by 20 February 2026 with formal tender notice expected August 2026.

Key points

• Concessionaire to develop, supply, and operate air-related drone port infrastructure at Montrose
• Council to fund and deliver ground infrastructure (~GBP 400,000)
• RFI responses required by 20 February 2026 via Public Contracts Scotland
• Formal tender notice expected August 2026; concession will cover three operational phases

Who can bid

No formal eligibility at RFI stage. Organisations should not submit commercially sensitive information or pricing. RFI responses should be submitted via PCS by 20 February 2026.

How it is scored

Not specified at PIN stage. The concessionaire role includes designing, supplying air infrastructure, and operating the drone port for an anticipated three-phase operation spanning up to 10+ years.

Money

Angus Council will fund ground infrastructure (approx GBP 400,000). Concessionaire expected to provide air infrastructure and operate the facility. No contract value specified at this stage.

How to submit

Submit RFI responses via Public Contracts Scotland by 20 February 2026. A further RFI notice was published on 9 February 2026 for RFI submissions.

Clarifications

Contact procurement@angus.gov.uk for queries. RFI documents and Draft Concessionaire Agreement are attached to the PCS notice.

Contract period

Three operational phases planned: TRA demonstration (1-2 years), industrialisation (3-5 years), full integration at scale (10 years). Overall concession expected to be long-term.

Classification

CPV 71311200 — Transport systems consultancy services 32424000 — Network infrastructure ScotlandTayside and Central Scotland