Scope
Description
In-Service Support to Bridge Set Infantry Assault (BSIA) and the Manufacture and Delivery of BSIA Capital Spares
Contract 1. Bridge Set Infantry Assualt (BSIA) In-Service Support
Supplier
Contract value
- £4,542,500 excluding VAT
- £5,451,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
29 September 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 30 September 2025 to 31 March 2033
- Possible extension to 31 March 2035
- 9 years, 6 months, 1 day
Description of possible extension:
Time extension for maintenance and repairs
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
Extension of time
CPV classifications
- 34144300 - Mobile bridges
- 44212110 - Bridge sections
- 71322300 - Bridge-design services
- 71631450 - Bridge-inspection services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
Various
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Defence and security
Direct award justification
- Single supplier - technical reasons
- Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
Combat Support Vehicles (CSV), part of the UK Ministry of Defence ("the Authority"), intends to place a new contract for the Bridge Set Infantry Assault (BSIA) to provide repair, Post Design Services (PDS), spares, and technical assistance with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) GDELS-BS. The contract shall span 8 years and is estimated to cost circa £5M. Bridge Set Infantry Assault (BSIA) is a modular assault bridge crucial for manoeuvring troops across various terrains.
Placing a Direct Award contract with GDELS-BS, will ensure safety and technical standards continue to be met at reasonable cost to the taxpayer. Justification for utilising Direct Award is under Section 41, Schedule 5, Paragraphs 6 and 7 of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23),based on there being no reasonable alternatives to BSIA, the need for additional or repeated goods, services, or works and an absence of competition for technical reasons. The decision is grounded in the potential technical difficulties that would arise if a change in supplier led to incompatible goods or services, particularly in terms of operational and maintenance challenges.
GDELS-BS is the only operator with the specific technical expertise required to support the maintenance and safe operation of the equipment. Using an alternative supplier would result in incompatibility and compromise safety, especially in tasks like technical welding which requires expert input from the OEM. Without access to the bespoke jigs and tools or to technical data and process information, a third-party supplier would not have sufficient information or capability to provide the required in-service support without significant operational safety risk and delays which are not operationally acceptable to the Authority.
A Direct Award contract with the OEM guarantees access to necessary support, spares, technical services, and expertise, whilst underpinning the safety case of the capability without major disruptions. It is deemed the only option which meets the operational and safety requirements of the BSIA equipment, ensuring continuity, and value for money while mitigating associated technical and operational risk.
Supplier
General Dynamics European Land Systems-Bridge Systems GmbH
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPXP-8717-HGML
Barbarosastrasse 30
Kaiserslautern
67655
Germany
Email: eileen.christmann@gdels.com
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Bridge Set Infantry Assualt (BSIA) In-Service Support
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