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Project CALLISTO

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

06 Jul 2026 at 16:01

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has initiated an active tender process entitled "Project CALLISTO," focusing on engineering design services within the aerospace sector. The procurement is structured into two distinct Lots: "CALLISTO LIGHT" for engines at 750N and "CALLISTO HEAVY" for more powerful engines between 1.8-2kN. This open procedure, valued at £750,000, seeks affordable, single-use engines for air systems, to advance beyond hobbyist-level capabilities. Interested parties must submit their Invitation to Tender (ITT) via the Defence Sourcing Portal by 27th July 2026. The contract period will commence on 16th October 2026 and conclude on 31st March 2027, with services to be delivered across diverse locations including the United Kingdom and various international territories.

This tender presents robust growth opportunities for businesses specialising in aerospace engineering and design services, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) capable of developing advanced, cost-effective engine technologies. Companies with the capability to design, develop, and test prototype engines will find this contract conducive to showcasing their innovations and scalability. As the procurement method is an open procedure, it offers equal competitive ground for both new entrants and established players in the defence and aerospace industries to secure government contracts and potentially establish long-term partnerships with the Ministry of Defence.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Project CALLISTO

Notice Description

Project CALLISTO Requirement: Affordable, single use engines for current and future air systems, munitions & One Way systems, to bridge the performance gap between hobbyist, model aircraft engines and higher performance, long-life & more exquisite engines. This phase will consist of design, development and ground testing (in appropriate engine test facilities) of Qty 4 prototype engines. The engines must be affordable and scalable. Any future scaled production requirement is not included under this competition, and if required shall be subject to a separate procurement. LOTS: This procurement is split into TWO Lots: LOT 1 CALLISTO LIGHT is for a smaller, less powerful engine (750N) LOT 2 CALLISTO HEAVY is for a more powerful engine, (1.8-2kN) Tenderers are able to bid for one or both lots. Full details of the requirement and anticipated dates can be found in the linked ITT. Tenderers wishing to take part must submit an ITT on the Defence Sourcing Portal no later than the specified closing date.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-76761043-04d9-4843-9feb-7cc5b2b411a3
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/36585cd2-b044-47cb-81f0-e6139352fa45
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (below threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71320000 - Engineering design services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£750,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
27 Jul 20262 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
15 Oct 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
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

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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