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Defence Air Weapon Safety Support (DAWSS)

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

28 Apr 2026 at 06:14

Award Notice
Award

11 Mar 2025 at 08:19

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has concluded a procurement process for the "Defence Air Weapon Safety Support (DAWSS)" in the technical assistance services category. This process utilised a limited negotiated procedure without prior publication, justified under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations due to technical reasons. Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill was awarded the contract valued at £6,003,000, with the contract period set from 11th July 2025 to 11th July 2029. The project is located in the East of England, aiming to leverage existing expertise in air weapon safety, with prior involvement from Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill, who have amassed over 50 years of relevant technical knowledge in this domain.

This tender provides substantial business opportunities for companies with extensive experience in defence technical services, particularly those capable of meeting high standards in air weapon safety support. Firms that can build a comparable knowledge base, though challenging, could eventually compete in similar contracts. However, SMEs and VCSEs perhaps would find it difficult to compete, given the specialised requirements outlined. Companies already possessing a comprehensive understanding of defence systems and qualified personnel might explore partnership or subcontracting opportunities to expand their footprint within the Defence sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Defence Air Weapon Safety Support (DAWSS)

Notice Description

It is considered that the contract can be placed using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice pursuant to Article 28(1)(e) of Directive 2009/81/EC (Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011) for technical reasons. The Technical reasons being that LMUKA are deemed to be the only competent and viable organisation within the UK market to carry out the technical work needed to meet the requirements. LMUKA have successfully met the requirement for the last 50 years and throughout this period LMUKA has built up a significant knowledge base, both in Suitably Qualified Experienced Personnel (SQEP) working the programme, and in auditable documentation, processes and retained data. It would take a significant period (10 years or more) for another organisation to build a comparable knowledge base.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-79c16c4e-1510-44b0-bf2b-ccd4f0492852
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/895a418a-e072-4f9d-b7af-2e7ea3266a8b
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated procedure without prior publication (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71356200 - Technical assistance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£6,003,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£6,003,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Apr 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
11 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Mar 20251 years ago
Contract Period
10 Jul 2025 - 11 Jul 2029 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LOCKHEED MARTIN UK AMPTHILL

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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