Scope
Reference
715719458
Description
The Future Maritime Synthetic Navigation Capability (FMSNC) project under Selborne Contract (Fleet 00603) Task TO13b placed two (2) Training Simulators at Portsdown Technology Park (PTP) which is a non-MOD site. Whilst the original PTP Lease was included in Selborne TO13b which expires March 2026, the extension of the lease is not. A new hosting arrangement/ lease is required to be sourced for 01 April 2026 to 31 December 2027 directly with Metaverse, for the continuation of use of the Simulators.
Contract 1. Bridge Navigation Training Simulators Hosting Lease
Supplier
Contract value
- £600,000 excluding VAT
- £720,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
27 November 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 December 2027
- 1 year, 9 months
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 63121100 - Storage 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
The Royal Navy, which is part of the UK Ministry of Defence (the "Authority"), proposes to place a contract with Metaverse VR Ltd (the "Company") for the hosting of two (2) Bridge Navigation Trainers (the "Trainers") at Portsdown Technology Park.
The proposed contract has an estimated value of £600,000 (six hundred thousand pounds) ex VAT and a duration of up to 2 (two) years.
This procurement falls to be governed by the Procurement Act 2023 (the "PA23") Chapter 3, Section 41: Direct Award in Special Cases. It is considered that direct award of the proposed contract is lawful in accordance with PA23 Schedule 5(6)(a)(b) which relates to an absence of competition for technical reasons for the following reasons.
There is an absence of competition for technical reasons as no other supplier (other than the Company) is able to host the Trainers in a way that meets the Authority's requirements. The Trainers are currently housed at the Company's premises. There is also an existing ongoing contract for service/maintenance of the Trainers that is critical to the operational capability of the Trainers. This contract provides that the Authority must keep at least one (1) of the Trainers at the Company's premises as a "Test and Reference" unit to allow the Company to meet their contracted obligations under the maintenance contract. Further, it would not be feasible for Trainers to be at different premises.
As a result, there is no other supplier that is able to meet the Authority's requirement and there is no reasonable alternative.
Supplier
METAVERSE VR
- Companies House: 13684068
3.05, Innovation And Collaboration Hub, Portsdown Technology Park, North Hill
Portsmouth
PO6 3RU
United Kingdom
Email: comms@metaverse-vr.co.uk
Region: UKJ31 - Portsmouth
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. Bridge Navigation Training Simulators Hosting Lease
Contracting authority
Ministry of Defence
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ
Leech Buillding, Whale Island
Portsmouth
PO2 8BY
United Kingdom
Email: eleanor.rust100@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
Region: UKJ31 - Portsmouth
Organisation type: Public authority - central government