Scope
Description
AJAX vehicle deliveries started in December 2018 and as a part of the Joint Acceptance Group, all vehicles undertaken by the Authority there is a requirement for the conduct of Connectivity Assurance Test (CAT) for the platform communications installation including the GFE BOWMAN equipment supplied by the Authority. The requirement is currently delivered under Contract No 700009869 and will expire in March 2026. Due to the Ajax Vehicle Production schedule being extended to 2028, the CAT scope of work needs to mirror the schedule until all vehicles are produced and assured with CAT as such the need to award a contract.
Contract 1. Connectivity Assurance Testing for the Ajax Programme
Supplier
Contract value
- £2,500,000 excluding VAT
- £3,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
1 April 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028
- Possible extension to 31 March 2029
- 3 years
Description of possible extension:
A further 1 year of CAT
Main procurement category
Goods
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
a further 1 year of Connectivity Assurance Testing as per the previous years of the Contract
CPV classifications
- 32570000 - Communications equipment
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Defence and security
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
The DE&S CV2 Portfolio team part of the Secretary State for Defence (the Authority") intends to award a contract to General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited for the provision of Connectivity Assurance Testing for a period of three (3) years (2+1 option year). The estimated total contract value is £3million incl VAT
As a background information, AJAX vehicle deliveries started in December 2018 and as a part of the Joint Acceptance Group, all vehicles undertaken by the Authority there is a requirement for the conduct of Connectivity Assurance Test (CAT) for the platform communications installation including the GFE BOWMAN equipment supplied by the Authority. The requirement is currently delivered under Contract No 700009869 and will expire in March 2026. Due to the Ajax Vehicle Production schedule being extended to 2028, the CAT scope of work needs to mirror the schedule until all vehicles are produced and assured with CAT as such the need to award a contract.
In accordance with Section 2 of the Procurement Act 2023 this procurement is governed by the Procurement Act 2023. It is considered that this contract can be awarded under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 because the direct award justification specified in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 applies, in that, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only
General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited has the only suitably trained and qualified personnel to carry out CAT along with access and ownership of specialist testing equipment to assure and certify the BOWMAN equipment to In-service readiness. They also hold the necessary security accreditations, clearances, and sovereign capability to perform this work within UK Defence standards. Due to interoperability and capability risks there are no reasonable alternatives available.
Supplier
General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited
- Companies House: 01911653
47 Red Lion Street,
London
WC1R 4PF
United Kingdom
Email: Lloyd.Davies@gd-ms.uk
Website: http://www.gd-ms.uk
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Connectivity Assurance Testing for the Ajax Programme
Contracting authority
Defence Equipment and Support
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM
MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
United Kingdom
Contact name: Paul Antill
Telephone: 07929 180383
Email: paul.antill365@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