Scope
Description
The Authority intends to award a contract to Guideline Geo AB (publ) for the procurement of MALÅ GroundExplorer (GX) antennas (GX750/450 HDR WiFi Antenna package with MALÅ Controller App), along with associated software, ancillaries and training.
MONARCH provides a wide area Ground Penetrating RADAR (GPR) capability to locate deep buried military targets on Operations. MONARCH has already exceeded its reasonable expected service life, at current projected failure rate MONARCH will have failed by 2027 and Defence will have to hold a deep buried locate capability gap. The RADAR heads in MONARCH are analog, the fleet is now at critical state. There is no route to repair and a lack of servicing has led to a lack of assurance as to the safety of MONARCH to operate effectively
The proposed will be set as a 'Not To Exceed' value, with no option years. The Equipment and Training elements would be 'called' off from the contract as required.
Contract 1
Suppliers
Supplier not yet selected
Contract value
- £495,000 excluding VAT
- £594,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
29 September 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 20 October 2025 to 31 March 2029
- 3 years, 5 months, 12 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 35722000 - Radar
- 45111250 - Ground investigation work
- 71351500 - Ground investigation services
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
Replacement equipment must be compatible and interoperable with existing Monarch Equipment, thus needing to seek equipment from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) - Guideline Geo, the Swedish based instrument manufacturer of MALÅ geophysical instruments.
The Authority considers that the contract may be awarded on the basis of the justification set out in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023.
4.5. The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract:
a) Due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and
b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works.
Contracting authority
Ministry of Defence
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ
Army Headquarters, Marlborough Lines, Monxton Road
Andover
SP11 8HT
United Kingdom
Email: sophie.davis327@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
Region: UKJ36 - Central Hampshire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government