Scope
Reference
UK5 - Transparency Notice Ajax ISS
Description
Ajax is an armoured fighting vehicle which provides the Army with its first fully digitised platform. The vehicles were designed and manufactured by General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd (GDUK Ltd) and are therefore the original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA).
Defence Equipment & Support (DES), part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is planning to award a 5 year (plus two 1 year options) Ajax IOS Transition Support contract to GDUK Ltd for the support of the vehicles as they complete their manufacture phase and transition to Post Design Services and Repair and Maintenance activities.
The contract will cover support arrangements designed to ensure the sustained operational availability and performance of the Ajax platform vehicles. It will be a fully integrated, spares-inclusive support contract that combines post-design services with the provisioning of spare parts, repair and maintenance activities, and to facilitate technical support. The contract is structured to deliver a holistic through-life support solution, addressing both routine and emergent requirements to maintain the platform's capability and readiness.
The MoD will also utilise other contracting arrangements to fulfil the Ajax support service needs, as necessary.
The contract value is an indicative value at this point in the procurement procedure, this value may change at contract award due to additional options such as surge for war fighting.
Contract 1. Ajax IOS Transition Support Contract
Supplier
Contract value
- £1,250,000,000 excluding VAT
- £1,500,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
31 December 2027
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 January 2028 to 31 March 2033
- Possible extension to 31 March 2035
- 7 years, 3 months
Description of possible extension:
There are two options each of one year to be taken up consecutively
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 75220000 - Defence services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Other information
Description of risks to contract performance
n/a
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Defence and security
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
The In-Service Support Contract is intended to cover the period from the conclusion of the current contract on 1st January 2028 and will endure for five years, plus two optional one-year extension periods. The contract will be awarded in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and the Procurement Regulations 2024. It is considered that this contract can be awarded by way of a Direct Award to GDUK Ltd in accordance with Section 41 and Schedule 5 - Single Supplier, paragraph 6 of the PA23 due to the unique technical reasons relating to this procurement.
The MoD does not currently have access to the necessary proprietary information or technical documentation for the Ajax platform. Only GDUK Ltd, as OEM and DA, has access to and rights in the necessary Intellectual Property (IP) and technical data which precludes the MoD from sourcing the required goods, works, or services from an alternative supplier currently. Further, only GDUK Ltd has the requisite know-how and suitably qualifies and experienced personnel and information necessary to meet the MoD's requirement.
This approach is necessary to ensure that the MoD can maintain operational capability and safeguard the effective support of the Ajax platform.
Supplier
General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited
- Companies House: 01911653
Oakdale Business Park, Oakdale
Blackwood
NP12 4AA
United Kingdom
Email: Gareth.Roberts@gdlsuk.com
Website: http://generaldynamics.uk.com
Region: UKL16 - Gwent Valleys
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Ajax IOS Transition Support Contract
Contracting authority
Defence Equipment and Support
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM
MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
United Kingdom
Contact name: Andrew Taylor
Email: DES-LELIOSMultiuserMailbox@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