Award

Post Design Services (PDS) & Repairs for the Mobile Test Facility (MTF) Vehicle

  • Defence Equipment and Support

UK5: Transparency notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-041683

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05630d

Published 21 July 2025, 2:37pm



Scope

Reference

SACC/00114

Description

The Situational Awareness Command and Control (SACC) Delivery Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (the Authority), intends to award a contract to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (the Contractor) for the support of the One Mobile Test Facility (MTF), inclusive of bespoke Interoperability Test Tools (IOTT) to provide a complete Tactical Data Link (TDL) testing and assurance capability in the form of a Mercedes Sprinter Vehicle for all the current in-service TDL's including Link 11, Link 16 and Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAPC) across the Maritime platforms.

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited are currently contracted to provide Post Design Services for the Mobile Test Facility and have exclusive rights for the Agile software. Subsequently, the Contractor has managed the IOTT capability since the MTF was procured supporting a wide range of test equipment and analysis software used to provide functional testing, monitoring, trialling, defect diagnosis and rectification of Maritime TDL fitted platforms. The MTF tests the new Link 16 MIDS JTRs Terminals and seeks to standardise all in-scope maritime platforms in the next 5 years under the Maritime Multi Link Programme in preparation for transition to in service Equipment Authorising Authority (EAA). The capability will replicate the ship environment to enable an accurate and quick defect rectification service to support both pre-deployment workups and platform release back into service following Operational Defect reporting and assistance and alterations and additions (repairs). It will enhance Navy Commands ability to support trials and NATO exercises with allied nations as the van can be driven to parts of the country not supported by a static TDL test facility to start the Link 11 and Link 16 network allowing the maritime platforms to join or to identify TDL issues with participating platforms. The Contractor is the only supplier to align the van suite of future test tools to the TDL scope ensuring a true replica of a unit afloat and thereby providing optimum support in the TDL test environment.

The Contractor also holds the technical documentation, tools, software licences and know-how necessary to perform the service. The original software was designed many years ago and has been supported by the Contractor managing technical upgrades and obsolescence issues. On this basis it is considered that only the Contractor has the technical expertise and knowledge, including system specifications to support the software application.

The Cyber Risk Level is Low, and the Risk Assessment Reference number is RAR-250529B05.


Contract 1

Supplier

Contract value

  • £920,000 excluding VAT
  • £1,150,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Earliest date the contract will be signed

16 January 2026

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 22 January 2026 to 21 January 2027
  • Possible extension to 21 January 2028
  • 2 years

Description of possible extension:

The contract contains 2x 6 month options

Main procurement category

Services

Options

The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.

The 2x 6 month options are for the continuation of support to the MTF and will only be taken up if there is a need to do so.

CPV classifications

  • 50334400 - Communications system maintenance services

Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes


Procedure

Procedure type

Direct award

Special regime

Defence and security

Direct award justification

  • Single supplier - technical reasons
  • Defence and security - necessary to enhance or maintain operational capability, effectiveness, readiness for action, safety or security of the armed forces

It is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful in accordance with section 41(1) of the Procurement Act 2023 and paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 for technical reasons as the Contractor owns the relevant technical information relating to the equipment and only the Contractor has the required technical expertise and know-how necessary to fulfil the Authority's requirement.


Supplier

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBXB-4886-CXBX

Lupin Way

Yeovil

BA22 8UZ

United Kingdom

Region: UKK23 - Somerset

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Contract 1


Contracting authority

Defence Equipment and Support

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM

MOD Abbey Wood

Bristol

BS34 8JH

United Kingdom

Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

Organisation type: Public authority - central government