Planning

Replacement Secondary Submarine Radar and Support

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

05 Jun 2025 at 15:24

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

19 May 2025 at 16:30

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Ministry of Defence, specifically the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), is planning a procurement process for the "Replacement Secondary Submarine Radar and Support". This project falls under the radar industry category, with a focus on maritime applications for the Royal Navy's ASTUTE and VANGUARD Class Submarines. The process is currently in the planning stage and includes a key engagement date slated for 13th June 2025. The initial market engagement event is scheduled for 16th June 2025 via Microsoft Teams. This project, classified under the CPV code 35722000, is based in Bristol, England, but encompasses various international locations including the British Overseas Territories and Europe. The procurement will adopt the Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses equipped to provide innovative radar solutions, particularly those that can manage issues of equipment availability and compatibility with environmental standards. SMEs are particularly suitable to compete in this process, as the procurement is expressly open to these enterprises. Firms with expertise in maritime radar technology and experience in supporting naval platforms could find substantial growth opportunities through engaging with this contract. The procurement pathway will involve a Procurement Specific Questionnaire anticipated for release on 17th June 2025, encouraging technically competent suppliers to demonstrate their capacity and foster potential collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence. Interested parties can access more details via the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP).

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Replacement Secondary Submarine Radar and Support

Notice Description

Maritime Radar Update Programme (MRUP) Delivery Team (DT) within Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), part of the UK Ministry of Defence ("the Authority") is seeking to engage with suppliers for the purposes of procuring, supporting and gaining a clearer understanding of current market capabilities and potential offerings relevant to the Second Submarine Radar (SSR) in Royal Navy (RN) Subsurface ASTUTE and VANGUARD Class Submarines. The current SSR is a portable Commercial OFF The Shelf (COTS) radar that is deployed when the submarine has surfaced, carried to the bridge fin by the crew, clamped to the boat structure, plugged into a vessel power socket and operated. The SSR operates as a second radar or as a backup, should the primary radar fail. It is used to detect the whereabouts of other surface objects and coastlines and is of particular importance when the vessel is approaching or leaving harbour, or in busy shipping areas. The SSR equipment is stored within the submarine when not in use and deployed to the bridge fin when surfaced through a bespoke carriage solution. Currently, this is a bag and pulley system for the carriage and modified COTS mounts for attachment of the radome and display to the vessel mast/structure respectively. The current and previous SSR solutions were subject to high failure rates. The MRUP DT are planning to run a competition via the Competitive Flexible Procedure (Procurement Act 2023) for suitable suppliers to bid. The goal is to leverage industry capabilities to deliver a more innovative solution that addresses availability issues and aligns better with platform environmental requirements, including electromagnetic compatibility and toxicity. The capability is required for a period of 5 years (Refer to additional text). It is the Authority's intent to invite suppliers to a Market Engagement Event who can demonstrate they are commercially compliant and can meet the technical requirements of being able to support the RN Subsurface SSR. During the Market Engagement Event the MRUP DT will give a presentation which will describe the SSR operating environment and provide an opportunity for suppliers to engage with questions they may have. This Market Engagement Event will take place via Microsoft Teams on Monday 16th June 2025 at 1000. Invites to the event will be sent to interested parties in due course. The Authority intends to release a Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) associated with this opportunity, currently scheduled for 17th June 2025. Please note this is an estimated date and subject to change. The Authority will be conducting all applicable advertising and potential procurement exercises via the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP). Interested parties are strongly encouraged to review the information published by DSP. Interested parties will need to gain access to DSP to ensure they acquire the most up to date information. Additional information: Supplement to main description: The capability requirement for a period of 5 years is subject to change, this is anticipated as a timescale of 6-months for replacement from contract award / commencement of contract, followed by 4.5 years of support. It is noted there is no obligation for the MOD to continue with the requirement following Preliminary Market Engagement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-1c35ba9b-3d38-4d55-aa80-e7bc1b18da83
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/885ec89f-a15a-46b6-ab05-26c6e12b7d05
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
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

35722000 - Radar

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
13 Jun 2025Expired
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
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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