Scope
Reference
714320451 Tracked Width Mine Plough GiK Replenishment
Description
Army Commercial, part of the UK Ministry of Defence ("MoD"), intends to procure 26 Track Width Mine Ploughs ("TWMP") and 24 Main Battle Tank ("MBT") Installation Kits. The contract will have an estimated value of £10,500,000.00 (ten million and five hundred thousand pounds) including VAT and be placed as a Supply contract.
This procurement relates to replenishment of equipment that was Gifted in Kind (GiK) to Ukraine (UKR). This GiK activity has generated a capability gap in mobility support with minefield breaching equipment. There is no current equipment programme to replenish stocks of TWMP. The conflict in UKR has reinforced the requirement for organic mobility at the tactical level within Armoured Units and it is critical that this capability is replenished.
Currently, TWMPs are primarily employed on the TITAN Close Support Bridging (CSB) vehicle; a limited fleet of prestige/high value manoeuvre support armoured engineering vehicles. TITAN is not part of the future modernised Armoured Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT). The TWMP capability will be required to endure to 2040 and beyond and the only platform in the Future Modernised ABCT currently compatible with the in-service TWMP is the Challenger (CR) Main Battle Tank (MBT).
The ability to fit TWMP to CR MBT generates a capability that increases the lethality and survivability of not just the platform, but the wider ABCT. The proposed contract to Pearson will provide an ability for MBTs to intimately support deliberate minefield breaching operations and, more importantly, a means of self-extraction from high threat areas, at speed, rather than waiting for sparse specialist assets .
Contract 1. 714320451 Tracked Width Mine Plough GiK Replenishment
Supplier
Contract value
- £8,400,000 excluding VAT
- £10,500,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
28 April 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 29 April 2025 to 31 March 2026
- 11 months, 2 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 34113200 - All-terrain vehicles
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
Army Commercial, part of the UK Ministry of Defence ("MoD"), intends to award a contract to Pearson Engineering Limited ("Pearson"), for 26 Track Width Mine Ploughs ("TWMP") and 24 Main Battle Tank ("MBT") Installation Kits.
The contract will have a duration of approximately 18 months, dependent upon production timelines. The contract will have an estimated value of £10,500,000.00 (ten million and five hundred thousand pounds) and be placed as a Supply contract.
As a covered procurement, this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 (the "PA23"). It is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful in accordance with section 41(1) and paragraphs 6 and 7 of Schedule 5 of the PA 2023.
This procurement relates to replenishment of equipment that was Gifted in Kind (GiK) to Ukraine (UKR). This GiK activity has generated a capability gap in mobility support with minefield breaching equipment. There is no current equipment programme to replenish stocks of TWMP. The conflict in UKR has reinforced the requirement for organic mobility at the tactical level within Armoured Units and it is critical that this capability is replenished.
In accordance with paragraphs 6 and 7 of Schedule 5 of the PA23, MoD proposes to directly award this contract to Pearson. It is considered that direct award is lawful in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 PA23 due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, and paragraph 7 of Schedule 5 PA23, as a change in supplier would result in MoD receiving goods, services or works that are incompatible with existing goods, services or works and the difference or incompatibility would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation and maintenance.
Pearson are the only supplier with the specific know-how to produce the bespoke TWMP and MBT installation kits. MoD has also identified strict technical reasons that derive from specific interoperability and safety requirements; noting TWMP and installation kits must be compatible with the existing vehicle fleet, and extant safety case.
Supplier
Pearson Engineering Limited
- Companies House: 01876136
Scotswood Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE15 6UX
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 234 0001
Email: Thomas.Waite@Pearson-eng.com
Website: https://www.pearson-eng.com
Region: UKC22 - Tyneside
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. 714320451 Tracked Width Mine Plough GiK Replenishment
Contracting authority
Ministry of Defence
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ
Marlborough Lines
Andover
SP11 8HJ
United Kingdom
Contact name: Jennifer McRae-Thomas
Email: army-comrcl-mcd-mailbox@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
Region: UKJ36 - Central Hampshire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government