Scope
Description
The Ministry of Defence would like to announce the intention to publish an Invitation to Tender (ITT) to contract a Commercial Mission Partner(s) (CMP) as part of the Royal Navy's Atlantic Net (AN) initiative in the near future.
AN will deliver Underwater Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) as a service through a Contractor Owned, Contractor Operated, Naval Oversight (COCONO) model. AN will be data focussed, providing information direct to the Maritime Operational Commander ashore to inform decision making.
Prospective bidders interested in participating in this ITT should contact the AN Commercial Mailbox expressing interest in this opportunity:
NavyDEV-UWBPJCABOT-Commercial@mod.gov.uk.
Further instructions will be provided to organisations upon receipt of expressions of interest including detailed security instructions.
The procurement process will be run through the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP), therefore interested parties should ensure they are registered on the portal in advance. Please visit the DSP for Supplier guidance and details on how to register at:
A procurement launch event took place virtually on 15 October 2025, following earlier phases or market engagement. Information in relation to the completed market engagement is available on the DSP.
Please note, this procurement is exempt from the Procurement Act 2023 under Defence Intelligence and National Security Grounds. The Authority intends to follow the spirit of the Procurement Act where possible, hence the open publication of this notice. However, not all information is able to be provided at OFFICIAL as would be required in a complete notice. As stated in such sections, full details are in the Tender documentation, available upon following the instructions that will be provided once a supplier expresses their interest in accordance with the above.
Please also refer to previously published notice 2025/S 000-028641.
Commercial tool
Establishes an open framework
Total value (estimated)
- £0.83 excluding VAT
- £1 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 17 December 2025 to 31 March 2026
- 3 months, 15 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 34511100 - Marine patrol vessels
- 35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles
- 71354500 - Marine survey services
- 73112000 - Marine research services
- 79715000 - Patrol services
- 98362100 - Marine-base support services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
Full details are in the Tender documentation, available in accordance with the Participation information
Lot 1. Lot 1 (Commercial Mission Partner)
Description
Lot 1 - Commercial Mission Partner: This Lot is for the Commercial Mission
Partner(s). Each successful Commercial Mission Partner will be awarded their
own Commercial Mission Partner Call - Off Contract, detailing the milestones,
deliverables and commercial terms that are specific and relevant to them.
Lot value (estimated)
- £0.83 excluding VAT
- £1 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Potential Supplier Pool
Description
Lot 2 - Atlantic Net Potential Supplier Pool: This Lot is for suitably qualified
Suppliers which were unsuccessful in securing a Commercial Mission Partner
Contract but have a solution or service offering which may be of interest to the
Authority and, consequently, may be contracted for through a Call-Off Contract
at any point during the Term of the Open Framework.
Lot value (estimated)
- £0.83 excluding VAT
- £1 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Open framework scheme end date (estimated)
17 December 2027
Maximum number of suppliers
10
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
Full details are in the Tender documentation, available in accordance with the Participation information.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot 1 (Commercial Mission Partner)
Lot 2. Potential Supplier Pool
Full details are in the Tender documentation, available in accordance with the Participation information
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot 1 (Commercial Mission Partner)
Lot 2. Potential Supplier Pool
Full details are in the Tender documentation, available in accordance with the Participation information
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lot 1 (Commercial Mission Partner)
Lot 2. Potential Supplier Pool
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
5 November 2025, 5:00pm
Submission type
Requests to participate
Deadline for requests to participate
26 November 2025, 11:59am
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
17 December 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | Full details are in the Tender documentation, available in accordance with the Participation information |
Quality | 70% |
| Commercial | Full details are in the Tender documentation, available in accordance with the Participation information |
Price | 30% |
Other information
Payment terms
Full details are in the Tender documentation, available in accordance with the Participation information
Description of risks to contract performance
Full details are in the Tender documentation, available in accordance with the Participation information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Defence and security
Competitive flexible procedure description
The Ministry of Defence would like to announce the intention to publish an Invitation to Tender (ITT) to contract a Commercial Mission Partner(s) (CMP) as part of the Royal Navy's Atlantic Net (AN) initiative in the near future.
AN will deliver Underwater Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) as a service through a Contractor Owned, Contractor Operated, Naval Oversight (COCONO) model. AN will be data focussed, providing information direct to the Maritime Operational Commander ashore to inform decision making.
Prospective bidders interested in participating in this ITT should contact the AN Commercial Mailbox expressing interest in this opportunity: NavyDEV-UWBPJCABOT-Commercial@mod.gov.uk.
Documents
Documents to be provided after the tender notice
Via DSP.
Contracting authority
Ministry of Defence
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ
Whitehall
London
SW1A 2HB
United Kingdom
Contact name: Commercial Team
Email: NavyDEV-UWBPJCABOT-Commercial@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government