Scope
Reference
715728477
Description
The Protect Delivery Team, part of the Ministry of Defence, intends to award a contract to Entserv UK Limited for ASH In-Service Support. ASH is software for the electronic Render Safe Procedure (RSP) for Ordnance Munition & Explosives (OME). The contract will be for a period of up to 5 years (3 years plus 2 options to extend by a year) with an estimated value of up to £2,734.048.8 (incl. VAT).
Contract 1. ASH In-Service Support
Supplier
Contract value
- £2,278,374 excluding VAT
- £2,734,048.80 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
31 March 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029
- Possible extension to 31 March 2031
- 5 years
Description of possible extension:
x2 1-year options to extend the duration to a maximum of 5 years.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 72300000 - Data services
- 48731000 - File security software package
- 48732000 - Data security software package
- 48750000 - Storage media loading software package
- 48771000 - General utility software package
- 48782000 - Storage management software package
- 48783000 - Content management software package
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Defence and security
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
The Protect Delivery Team, part of the Ministry of Defence, intends to award a contract to Entserv UK Limited for ASH In-Service Support. ASH is software for the electronic Render Safe Procedure (RSP) for Ordnance Munition & Explosives (OME). The contract will be for a period of up to 5 years (3 years plus 2 options to extend by a year) with an estimated value of up to £2,734.048.8 (incl. VAT).
It is considered that this contract can be awarded under section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 because the direct award justification specified in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 (technical reasons) applies.
This is because a change in supplier would require a transfer of the disaster recovery servers and network link which would in turn require a new set of cyber security assurances and penetration testing. The ASH system would be unusable until this was complete as it would not be cyber secure. Due to the nature of the requirement this capability gap would introduce an unacceptable level of risk.
Given the bespoke nature of the ASH system, the absence of alternative suppliers with the required technical expertise, and the significant operational and financial risks associated with transitioning to a new supplier, a direct award to Entserv UK Limited is the only viable option, there is no reasonable alternative.
Supplier
Entserv UK Limited
- Companies House: 00053419
110 Pinehurst Road, Farnborough Business Park
Farnborough
GU14 7BF
United Kingdom
Email: Martin.fisher@ukss.dxc.com
Region: UKJ37 - North Hampshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. ASH In-Service Support
Contracting authority
Defence Equipment and Support
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM
MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
United Kingdom
Contact name: Maia Harris
Email: Maia.Harris135@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