Scope
Description
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has an enduring requirement for the provision of Test and Evaluation (T&E) services. T&E is core to all Defence equipment programmes to ensure the reliability and fitness for purpose of the equipment it uses.
The MOD has established a T&E Transformation Programme which is reviewing how T&E will be delivered in the future and how new, innovative technologies can improve and enhance current capability to enable T&E for military advantage rather than solely for equipment acceptance.
The Transformation Programme is developing a new requirement for the provision of future T&E services and there is an opportunity for Industry to help shape this. The MOD has identified the following potential grouping of T&E services to facilitate a conversation with industry, but this is not exhaustive and will likely evolve because of our engagement:
• Virtual T&E Platform: Common infrastructure, architecture, assets and capabilities required to support modelling and simulation-based T&E.
• Live T&E Platform: Centrally funded estate, range infrastructure and T&E capability to support real world testing and data capture for evaluation and model validation.
• Deployable T&E Platform: Common enablers of T&E capabilities that can be deployed and user-operated anywhere.
Total value (estimated)
- £1 excluding VAT
- £1 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2033 to 1 April 2043
- Possible extension to 1 April 2048
- 15 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 73430000 - Test and evaluation
Engagement
Engagement deadline
25 February 2026
Engagement process description
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has an enduring requirement for Test and Evaluation (T&E) services, critical to ensuring the reliability and fitness for purpose of all Defence equipment.
To meet future challenges, MOD has launched the T&E Transformation Programme, exploring how innovative technologies can enhance capability and deliver T&E for military advantage, not just equipment acceptance. As part of this transformation, MOD is developing our strategy for delivering future T&E services. Industry is invited to help shape this strategy.
MOD are interested to gather insights on capabilities, processes, and innovative approaches for delivering T&E across Virtual, Live, and Deployable platforms. This includes a theoretical problem statement to understand how industry would respond to a Defence tasking both from a technical perspective and a process perspective.
The Theoretical Problem Statement and Request for Information (RFI) response form will be a Microsoft Word Document held by the DTES(F) Project Team.
Suppliers are to register their interest to respond to the Theoretical Problem Statement and RFI by emailing the DTES(F) Multiuser account (DES-DTESF@mod.gov.uk) by 22/01/2026.
Suppliers who register interest will then receive a copy of the Theoretical Problem Statement and RFI on 23/01/2026 via email.
Suppliers should submit their responses to the RFI via the DTES(F) Multiuser account (DES-DTESF@mod.gov.uk) by 25/02/2026.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
31 March 2029
Procedure
Special regime
Defence and security
Contracting authority
Defence Equipment and Support
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM
MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
United Kingdom
Contact name: DTES(F) Project Team
Email: des-dtesf@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government