Scope
Reference
714155450
Description
The UK Ministry of Defence is establishing a Framework for the procurement of Personal Hard Armour to support its Armed Forces Personnel. The Personal Hard Armour Framework will facilitate the procurement of personal ballistic protection through the pre-approval of suppliers and will deliver agility, consistency, and financial savings in the procurement of personal hard armour - whilst encouraging innovation and optimising organisational outputs.
Defence requires the ability to procure personal hard armour in low and high quantities, with the agility to meet emerging demands.
Potential future requirements and technologies that may utilise the Framework are as below:
a. Osprey Replacement.
b. Reduced threat plates.
c. Buoyant plates.
d. Non-standard shaped plates (complex curvature).
e. Covert plates.
The Authority therefore intends to establish a Closed, non-committal, Defence and Security Framework for an 8 year duration.
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £208,333,333.33 excluding VAT
- £250,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 29 May 2026 to 28 May 2034
- 8 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 35812300 - Combat gear
- 44431000 - Cover plates
- 18143000 - Protective gear
- 35815100 - Bullet-proof vests
Justification for not using lots
Lots have been discounted to enable suppliers more opportunities to bid and obtain work through multiple requirements rather than being specific requirements under a certain Lot. UK MOD requires flexibility to obtain a wide range of requirements over the duration of the Framework and utilise the wide supplier base under the Framework.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Prices shall be determined at the point of mini competition. In order to participate in call off competitions for a requirement, suppliers must first have a product that is qualified against that specific requirement within the framework in order to receive the Request for Quote. Evaluation methodology of the RfQ may vary dependent on the priority of the Authority at the time.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Other Defence and Security government departments
Contracting authority location restrictions
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Details of the legal and Financial capacity requirements as part of the conditions of participation can be found in the Qualification Envelope PSQ Guidance document.
Technical ability conditions of participation
Details of the Technical ability required as part of the conditions of participation can be found in the Technical Envelope PSQ Guidance document.
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
9 February 2026, 11:59pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
17 February 2026, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
please submit electronically on the DSP - https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/ogc-host/public/mod/web/login.html
Link to PSQ - https://contracts.mod.uk/go/29074572019BDB320926
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
19 May 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial | all details of the Commercial requirements shall be set out in the associated Tender documents. |
Quality |
| Technical | all details of the Technical requirements shall be set out in the associated Tender documents. |
Quality |
Weighting description
All elements of the Invitation to Tender evaluation methodology shall be specified in the associated Tender Documents at the ITT Stage.
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Defence and security
Competitive flexible procedure description
This procurement will be conducted using the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with Procurement Regulations 2024.
This multi-stage procurement process will consist of the following stages:
1. PSQ - Procurement Specific Questionnaire
2. ITT - Invitation to Tender Stage
3. Contract Award
Conditions of Participation (COP):
Suppliers will be required to demonstrate that they meet the minimum standard for the Personal Hard Armour Framework and will be assessed on the following areas on a pass/fail basis as outlined in the PSQ and PSQ Guidance Documents issued at the same time as this notice. Suppliers who pass the PSQ stage will then be invited to submit tenders at the ITT stage.
•Legal
•Financial
•Technical Capability
Full details of the evaluation methodology will be provided in the ITT documentation to suppliers that satisfy the COP and are shortlisted to the ITT stage. Tenderers will be given appropriate time to respond with their tenders.
The final evaluation and contract award will be based solely on the award criteria set out in the ITT documentation.
There shall be no maximum number of suppliers able to be awarded a place on the Framework
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
The PSQ and PSQ Assessment Methodology will be published on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) via the submission address link included in this notice. Details of submission instructions can be found in the PSQ Assessment Methodology documents.
Contracting authority
Defence Equipment and Support
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM
MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
United Kingdom
Contact name: Ryan Yung
Email: DES-LandP2DCCCommercialTeam@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