Scope
Reference
MO924
Description
Telecom circuits for the Falkland Islands (Mount Pleasant Airport, Mount Alice, Mount Bryon, and Mount Kent), eight welfare packages that are allocated to staff members, and a mobile/SIM package.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £270,000 excluding VAT
- £324,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
9 January 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 9 January 2026 to 8 January 2028
- 2 years
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 32500000 - Telecommunications equipment and supplies
Contract locations
- FK - Falkland Islands
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Extreme and unavoidable urgency
The circuits required are business critical and provide comms for onsite forecasters who provide expert meteorological advice to British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) in their mission to deter military aggression against the South Atlantic Islands to maintain UK sovereignty. The circuits at Mount Alice, Mount Byron and Mount Kent are required to transfer observations to The Meteorologist Observations Reporting Terminal (MORTy), the user interface used by Defence Meteorologists to view automated station observational data and is also used to create METARs. The contract is urgently needed to ensure continuity of service for the telecomms circuits.
Currently, Sure South Atlantic Ltd have a contract to provide telecoms services in the Falklands until December 2027. At the initial time of drafting internal justification documents Sure South Atlantic Ltd are the only mature telecoms provider, with a proven track record of providing services to the Met Office, which can be deployed without significant delay.
It is understood that another provider has been officially licensed to operate in the Falkland Islands as of November 2025 however any procurement, installation and commissioning would take at least twelve months.
The only current feasible option is to renew the current circuit offerings through Sure South Atlantic Ltd. The Met Office intends to investigate the feasibility of Starlink or any other alternative solutions that become available during the term of the new contract.
Supplier
Sure South Atlantic Limited
- Companies House: 14993
Ross Road
Stanley
FIQQ 1ZZ
Falkland Islands
Email: info@sure.co.fk
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Met Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVZW-3234-DTLY
Met Office
Exeter
EX1 3PB
United Kingdom
Email: procurement.enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk
Website: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
Region: UKK43 - Devon CC
Organisation type: Public authority - central government