Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Ministry of Defence
Main Building, Whitehall Horse Guard Avenue
London
SW1A 2HB
ukstratcom-comrcl-di@mod.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI32 - Westminster
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Defence
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
The Accreditation of Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) Soldier Training
Reference number
713818453
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 80340000 - Special education services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) soldiers currently complete two courses at the Defence School of Geospatial Intelligence (DSGI), which are accredited as a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc) under contract with a UK University. The accreditation process must align with established standards, including curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and institutional resources. The contract duration is from 01 July 2025 to 30 June 2027 with an option for an additional one-year option, which could extend the total duration 30 June 2028.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £289,260
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ1 - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Main site or place of performance
Defence School of Military Survey(RSMS)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The accreditation supports the Ministry of Defence strategic goal of ensuring a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting operational demands now and in the future. The accreditation also enables the DSGI to maintain quality training, professional development, and career opportunities for ME Geo soldiers, offering them valuable civilian-recognised qualifications. The contract with a UK University ensures these programs meet academic and industry standards, enhancing both the military profession and soldiers' career prospects.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
It is considered that single source procurement of a contract for the provision of an 11 month Military Engineer (ME Geo) Class 2 course with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) can be undertaken for technical reasons in accordance with 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 due to the absence of competition is absent for technical reasons. These technical reasons are based on specific interoperability requirements under the accreditation process, which must be fulfilled by SHU to ensure the continued operation of the services being provided. The contract will be for a length of 24 months at a value of £203,551.14.
In the case of the university level degree accreditation contract, it is not feasible to transition to a new provider for student cohorts who are already part way through their studies. The process for accreditation means that the students must remain with the original accreditor, as set out below.
Soldiers must attend an 11-month Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) Class 2 course, successful completion of which results in soldiers being awarded 120 credits at Level 4 and 5, as they are considered qualified at that point to be assigned into their first military role. Following completion of their first military role in an operational unit, the soldiers subsequently return to complete an 11 month ME Geo Class 1 course, which must be undertaken with the original educational accreditor, gaining the requisite additional 100 credits at Level 5 and 6 to enable award of the Batchelor of Science (BSc). Both Class 1 and Class 2 courses were developed by the Authority in consultation with SHU.
As a result of this, accreditation cannot be transferred between accrediting bodies. Moving to a new provider would require the full re-validation process for all student courses which have already been accredited by SHU and the existing student courses must therefore be completed and accredited by SHU. The Authority is currently developing a revised course structure in order to conduct a competitive procurement of the Military Engineer (ME Geo) course in the future. It is currently anticipated that this will be launched by 30/06/2027.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
713818453
Title
The accreditation of Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) soldier training
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
12 August 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Sheffield Hallam University
Howard St, Sheffield City Centre
Sheffield
S1 1WB
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKE32 - Sheffield
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £289,260
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Ministry Of Defence
Filton
BS34 8JH
UKStratCom-Comrcl-DI@mod.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom