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RFI - Royal Navy Maritime Autonomous Systems Platform Authority Industry Engagement

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

10 Aug 2026 at 13:52

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

05 Aug 2026 at 10:27

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is seeking industry input on a proposed Platform Authority for Maritime Uncrewed Systems supporting the Royal Navy. The intended scope covers governance, engineering expertise, certification support and through-life assurance, enabling the safe and effective operation of current and future maritime autonomous capabilities. This is primarily specialist defence and maritime engineering work associated with unmanned underwater vehicles, rather than the supply of a standalone vehicle. The work is associated with Portsmouth in the South East of England. Businesses involved in maritime autonomy, uncrewed or underwater systems, defence engineering, safety assurance, certification and technical governance may have relevant expertise to contribute to the planned authority.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is being used for early industry engagement and a request for information, rather than inviting bids. The Ministry of Defence is consulting the market on establishing the proposed Platform Authority and expects the engagement to end on 19 August 2026. Businesses should treat this as an opportunity to inform the requirement and prepare for any later procurement, not as a current tender or response deadline. The procurement is classified under unmanned underwater vehicles. The published information identifies Portsmouth as the associated location. The planned engagement is relevant to suppliers considering future work covering governance, engineering, certification support and through-life assurance for maritime uncrewed systems.

This will suit organisations able to demonstrate credible capability across maritime autonomous or uncrewed systems, particularly where engineering, governance, certification and through-life assurance come together. Relevant contributors may include defence engineering consultancies, systems integrators, specialist underwater-technology firms, safety and assurance practitioners, certification-support providers and organisations experienced in managing complex technical platforms throughout their service life. The buyer has indicated that small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises may be suitable, so participation is not limited to large defence primes. Firms should consider how their experience could support safe operation of both current and future Royal Navy capabilities, and be ready to explain practical delivery models, technical expertise and assurance arrangements when the requirement develops.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

RFI - Royal Navy Maritime Autonomous Systems Platform Authority Industry Engagement

Notice Description

The Authority is seeking industry input on the establishment of a Platform Authority for Maritime Uncrewed Systems, capable of providing the governance, engineering expertise, certification support and through-life assurance necessary to enable the safe and effective operation of current and future capabilities.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-0e2ca6c1-d3d3-4070-9e83-c6d34cd33903
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/65074d65-de2f-4506-80f1-20201c1092a7
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

CPV Codes

35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ministry of Defence
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
PORTSMOUTH
Postcode
PO2 8BY
Postcode Area
Portsmouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ31 Portsmouth
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Portsmouth
Electoral Ward
Nelson
Westminster Constituency
Portsmouth North

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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