Planning

Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) and Direction Finder (DF) Systems

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

31 Mar 2023 at 12:03

Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has initiated a tender process for the procurement of Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) and Direction Finder (DF) Systems. This planned procurement opportunity falls under the industry category of Air defence radar. The contract, with a value of £10,000,000, is aimed at replacing obsolescent systems by 1st November 2025. The Ministry has outlined the scope of support required for these systems and set a communication deadline of 1st November 2024 for future notices.

This contract presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in air traffic management equipment to contribute to the upgrade of critical systems on HMS Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Aircraft Carriers. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are specifically encouraged to participate in this tender. The contract period is set to start on 1st November 2025 and end on 31st October 2028, offering an extended period for successful bidders to showcase their capabilities and support the operational use of the systems on QEC.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) and Direction Finder (DF) Systems

Notice Description

The Maritime Combat System (MCS), Communications and Situational Awareness (CSA) Team has responsibility for placing an In-Service Support (ISS) contract covering HMS Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Aircraft Carriers,' Ship Air Interface (SAI) equipment (equipment used on board the QEC to maintain the aviation capability). The current TACAN and DF systems are key components of the SAI and are also classified as Air Traffic Management (ATM) equipment, and therefore subject to the regulatory requirements of the Military Aviation Authority (MAA). The TACAN system acts as a beacon providing aircraft with information on relative bearing and distance to the ship. The DF system provides air traffic controllers with information on the bearing of aircraft from the ship based upon their radio transmissions. At present, the capability is facing obsolescence challenges and replacement systems are sought for deployment from 01 November 2025. The requisite approvals under the Military Airworthiness Authority's (MAA) Regulatory Articles under the Air Traffic Management (ATM) Equipment Approved Organisation Scheme (AAOS) will be required. A high-level Statement of Requirement (SoR) has been developed and agreed with Navy Command stakeholders defining the scope of support required to achieve the required levels of availability and provide the necessary specialist advice and support to meet legislative, regulatory and safety requirements. Additionally, the provision of enduring support to meet this scope of requirement is a prerequisite for obtaining full ATM releases for the operational use of the systems on QEC. Additional information: The Maritime Combat System (MCS), Communications and Situational Awareness (CSA) Team has responsibility for placing an In-Service Support (ISS) contract covering HMS Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Aircraft Carriers,' Ship Air Interface (SAI) equipment (equipment used on board the QEC to maintain the aviation capability). The current TACAN and DF systems are key components of the SAI and are also classified as Air Traffic Management (ATM) equipment, and therefore subject to the regulatory requirements of the Military Aviation Authority (MAA). The TACAN system acts as a beacon providing aircraft with information on relative bearing and distance to the ship. The DF system provides air traffic controllers with information on the bearing of aircraft from the ship based upon their radio transmissions. At present, the capability is facing obsolescence challenges and replacement systems are sought for deployment from 01 November 2025. The requisite approvals under the Military Airworthiness Authority's (MAA) Regulatory Articles under the Air Traffic Management (ATM) Equipment Approved Organisation Scheme (AAOS) will be required. A high-level Statement of Requirement (SoR) has been developed and agreed with Navy Command stakeholders defining the scope of support required to achieve the required levels of availability and provide the necessary specialist advice and support to meet legislative, regulatory and safety requirements. Additionally, the provision of enduring support to meet this scope of requirement is a prerequisite for obtaining full ATM releases for the operational use of the systems on QEC.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-471b044c-8a41-4057-99d9-e7787ef7f582
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/266d6501-4590-4342-9ee3-d3765fdb898d
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

35723000 - Air defence radar

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Mar 20232 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Nov 2024Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2025 - 31 Oct 2028 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
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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