Award

707961450 - The Procurement of In-Service Support for Detector Special Purpose (DSP34)

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

14 Mar 2025 at 12:22

Award

21 Oct 2024 at 16:59

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a 15-month contract to Roke Manor Research Limited for the in-service support of the Detector Special Purpose (DSP34) system. This contract was placed using a negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice for technical reasons under Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the UK Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011. The tender, classified under the CPV code 50000000 for repair and maintenance services, covers maintenance and repair within the UK and is valued at £888,203. The award was published on 21 October 2024 and the contract was signed on 8 January 2025.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in high-end detection system maintenance and repair, especially those with experience in handling radiation-sensitive equipment. The contract is ideal for firms with technical capability and expertise similar to that of Roke Manor Research Limited, who are uniquely qualified due to their specialised knowledge and long-standing involvement with DSP34. Companies with experience in 3D printing parts, as well as a history of working within defence-related services, would be suitably positioned to engage in this procurement process, leveraging their capabilities to support critical defence infrastructure and contribute to the growth of their business in this niche market.

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Notice Title

707961450 - The Procurement of In-Service Support for Detector Special Purpose (DSP34)

Notice Description

The Specialist EOD&S, Exploitation and Countermeasures Project Team, part of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (the Authority) have awarded a contract to Roke Manor Research Limited for the in-service support of Detector Special Purpose (DSP34) (the System). The contract is for 15 months and has an estimated value of PS888,203.00 (Ex VAT). This contract was placed using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the UK Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for technical reasons. The VTN was published on 21 October 2024 and the contract was subsequently awarded on 08 January 2025.

Lot Information

Lot 1

In Service Support of the Detector Special Purpose (DSP).

Procurement Information

The Specialist EOD&S, Exploitation and Countermeasures Project Team, part of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (The Authority) intends to award a 17 Month contract to Roke Manor Research Limited for a new contract for the support of Detector Special Purpose (DSP) No. 34 (DSP34 In-Service Support Contract) with an estimated value of PS888,203.00 (Ex VAT). The DSP34 System is part of the Infrastructure Search detection suite. It allows Through Barrier Detection (TBD). DSP34 was developed under a partnership between Dstl, and Roke Manor Research Limited in 2014. DSP34 is only used by UK Armed Forces and is not In-Service with any other NATO Country. DSP34 works using a high-end transmitter as it's radiation source for the detector. It is a bespoke equipment with risk of radiation exposure to maintainers and users if incorrectly maintained and supported. The previous contract expired in June 2021 and therefore a new maintenance, support, and repairs contract is required to continue servicing the detectors. The contract will be required until 31 March 2026. Roke Manor Research Ltd have been involved with DSP34 since 2014 contract (SPSCM/00863) to take the Dstl Concept Demonstrator and develop it to Technical Readiness Level 9 and on to manufacture and into Service. Only Roke Manor Research Limited have the necessary expertise, knowledge, and experience to Service, Maintain and Repair DSP34. A Safe System of work is critical for DSP34 with its radiation transmission, which is subject to periodic Hazardous Effects of Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) assessments for its safety working conditions. They are the only Suitably Qualified and Experienced Person (SQEP) Contractor that can safely maintain and calibrate the system to ensure it is safe to use for its Users, as outlined in the Single Source Justification. At present certain spares and parts within DSP34 are 3D printed. Only Roke Manor Research Ltd possess the blueprints, knowledge, and programming to allow these to be reprinted to the correct specification. The Authority does not hold a Manufacturers Data Pack (MDP) for DSP34 which means that a third party would be required to reverse engineer the equipment. This is not a viable option as the Authority cannot provide another Contractor with a Safe System of Work around the Gamma radiation source to protect either themselves or Users of the equipment. A Safe Systems of Work are the procedures according to which work must be carried out where hazards cannot be eliminated, and some risk still exists. It is considered that this contract can be awarded to Roke Manor Research Limited using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the UK Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for technical reasons.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04afd8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009417-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated without publication of a contract notice
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£14,211,248 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Mar 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Oct 20241 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Attn: Stadon Toni
Contact Email
deslestsp-seec-commercial@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
N/A
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

ROKE MANOR RESEARCH

Further Information

Notice URLs

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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