Scope
Description
The Secretary of State for Defence (the "Authority"), through the AJAX Programme within Defence Equipment and Support ("DE&S") intends to place a contract with Malvern Optical Limited ("MOP") for the Platform security accreditation and Initial Operating Capability (IOC) assurance The proposed contract will have a duration of 3 years and an estimated value of £500K and be placed as a supply of services 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 paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the PA23 because competition is absent for technical reasons such that only MOP can achieve the requirement and there is no reasonable alternative.
TEMPEST accreditation is required for platform security accreditation and assurance for IOC of the AJAX programme.. TEMPEST is a specialist field. Companies need to be accredited by the UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) Platform TEMPEST Accreditation Scheme (CPTAS) to carry out this security accreditation. MOP is the only NCSC accredited TEMPEST Evaluation Partner and test house for vehicles and there is no reasonable alternative to the TEMPEST service and therefore MOP is the only supplier capable of meeting the Authority's requirement.
Contract 1. TPAT TEMPEST Assurance
Supplier
Contract value
- £510,795 excluding VAT
- £612,954 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
11 April 2025
Standstill period
- End: 29 April 2025
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
30 April 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 May 2025 to 31 March 2028
- 2 years, 11 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 71630000 - Technical inspection and testing services
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Defence and security
Supplier
Malvern Optical Limited
- Companies House: 07426527
Hangar 3, Pershore Airfield, Long Lane
Throckmorton, Worcestershire
WR10 2JH
United Kingdom
Region: UKG12 - Worcestershire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1. TPAT TEMPEST Assurance
Contracting authority
Defence Equipment and Support
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM
MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
United Kingdom
Email: DefComrcl-SystemsGuidance@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