Scope
Reference
715726488
Description
This Pre-Market Engagement seeks to identify suppliers whose Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) can meet the MOD's Minimum Viable Requirement (MVR) and to understand which platforms may support future development. This is not an evaluative exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow-on ITT.
Alpha Squadron Diving and Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG) delivers a range of operational outputs, from protection of critical undersea infrastructure in home waters to deployed support to maritime special operations. Inherent in these tasks is a requirement to survey and understand the underwater battlespace; tracking undersea cables and pipelines, identifying sources of possible interference or sabotage, charting beaches, ports and maritime infrastructure, and plotting potential obstructions or objects.
These operations will frequently need to be conducted discreetly from small boats by light-role teams at significant range from a host platform; to maximise discretion, a sub-surface deployment and recovery option would be preferable.
A capability shortfall exists in the provision of a very-light, multi-role, diver-deployable AUV for use in discreet Navy Special Operations tasking.
Alpha Sqn DTXG is exploring a portable, single‑operator‑deployable AUV system for environmental data gathering, survey operations, and exploratory autonomous missions in coastal/offshore waters. The rapid procurement of this system will allow the development of the capability alongside the Original Equipment Manufacturer; the key user requirements are below in the following format:
Requirement Area - Requirement Statement - Minimum Requirement
1. Depth Performance - Operate effectively in coastal and shelf-sea environments requiring mid-depth capability - equal to or greater than 300 m depth rating
2. Portability - Deployable and recoverable by a single operator without mechanical lifting assistance - Single-person portable & recoverable; no mechanical/specialist Launch And Recovery System
3. Endurance - Support meaningful survey/data-gathering missions - multi-hour mission capability
4. Navigation & Comms - Operate safely and autonomously using standard technologies - Autonomous nav/comms suite suitable for AUV operations
5. Modularity/Deployment Pathway (Desirable) - Provide scope for future payloads, upgrages or development - Modular payload or development pathway (desirable)
Total value (estimated)
- £500,000 excluding VAT
- £600,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 28 February 2026 to 28 February 2027
- 1 year, 1 day
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles
Engagement
Engagement deadline
6 January 2026
Engagement process description
To respond to this notice, please complete the MS Forms questionnaire available by copying the link below and pasting into your browser in a new window. The deadline for submission is 6th January 2026 at 15:00.
The Authority anticipates that, subject to approvals and budget confirmation, a formal ITT will be released early in the New Year, with a desire to acquire a minimum viable product before the end of FY 2025/26.
Subject to approval, the intention is to run the ITT through the Commercial X Dynamic Market.
Whilst not mandatory until publication of the formal tender notice, registration on the Dynamic Market is strongly recommended now, as any future tender will only be accessible via that platform.
Applying to onboard to the Dynamic Market:
Registration is simple. Firstly, you will need to ensure you have created a company profile on the Central Digital Platform (paste URL into browser):
https://signin.account.gov.uk/sign-in-or-create
Your application to the Dynamic Market needs to be completed on the Defence Sourcing Portal (paste URL into browser):
Instructions
1. On the home page, click 'view DSP opportunities'
2. make sure you're in the 'current opportunities tab'
3. click the 'filters' drop down and select 'project info'
4. in the 'value' field type 'commercial x' and click 'search'
You should be able to access the 'PQQ' event that we are using for the applications. There is also downloadable content available in the opportunity listing providing further information about the Dynamic Market.
Disclaimer:
Neither:
1. responding to this Engagement Notice, or
2. registering on the Dynamic Marketplace
will impact your ability to compete in any follow-up ITT.
Participation
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Contracting authority
Ministry of Defence
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ
Ministry of Defence Main Building
London
SW1A 2EU
United Kingdom
Email: andrew.watson198@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government