Award

Submarine Escape and Survival Equipment (SESE) Contract Award Notice

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

27 Jan 2026 at 10:09

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has completed a public procurement process for Submarine Escape and Survival Equipment (SESE) with the contract being awarded to RFD Beaufort Ltd. The procurement falls under the industry category of survival suits (CPV 37414800) and is set to serve the South West region of the United Kingdom. The contract, valued at approximately £12.6 million, spans from 10th December 2025 to 31st March 2031. This was a competitive procedure with negotiation, designed to source 3,884 operational SESE units and 120 training variants, with associated repair tasks, concluding the tender stage on 31st January 2025.

This tender provides substantial business growth opportunities, particularly for large-scale manufacturers of survival and safety equipment, given the need for precision engineering and compliance with rigorous safety standards. While the awarded contract suggests this procurement is complete, companies in similar fields may yet find opportunities in sub-supply or future tenders with the Ministry of Defence. The procurement process prioritised firms of substantial scale and previously set criteria that proved favourable towards non-voluntary sector enterprises, potentially nurturing long-term partnerships within the defence sector. As such, businesses capable of delivering high-quality, technically sophisticated survival suits and related gear would have been well-suited to initially compete in this bidding process.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Submarine Escape and Survival Equipment (SESE) Contract Award Notice

Notice Description

The purpose of Submarine Escape and Survival Equipment (SESE) is to allow submariners to evacuate from a disabled submerged submarine, without external assistance, in a safe and controlled manner. The intention of the equipment is to keep the escapee dry and protected from the environment during and after ascent, and to provide buoyancy, freeboard, and thermal insulation at the surface. The SESE is a whole-body suit comprising a one-size fits all Submarine Escape Survival Suit (SESS) and a Single person life raft all contained in a protective valise. A competitive procurement has been conducted for supply of 3884 operational SESE and 120 training variant SESE and ad hoc repairs of training variant SESE on a tasking basis.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-c4d6c065-10b3-48a7-bb44-dce85ceb91a5
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3d06ab49-e4f3-414b-ac0a-6933263ac30b
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive procedure with negotiation (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

37 - Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories

CPV Codes

37414800 - Survival suits

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£12,623,383 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£12,623,383 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
31 Jan 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
26 Nov 20252 months ago
Contract Period
10 Dec 2025 - 31 Mar 2031 Over 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
Martha Frankland
Contact Email
martha.frankland100@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

RFD BEAUFORT

Further Information

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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