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The Supply of C8 Rifle Spares

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

29 Jul 2025 at 07:30

Award Notice
Award

19 Feb 2025 at 15:21

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Ministry of Defence has completed a procurement process for the supply of C8 Rifle Spares, with the contracting title "The Supply of C8 Rifle Spares," classified under the CPV code 35321200 - Rifles. Babcock Land Defence Ltd acted as an agent for the UK Ministry of Defence in this process, which utilised a limited procurement method without prior publication. The contract, valued at £4 million, was awarded to Colt Canada Corporation, chosen for their unique technical expertise and proprietary knowledge necessary for this project. This two-year contract, with potential for three additional option years, was finalised on 24th July 2025 and includes deliveries within the region UKG21 located in Telford, United Kingdom.

This award opens significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies in the defence sector specialising in technical and specialised goods. Although the contract was awarded without an open call for competition due to technical exclusivity, it underscores the importance of cultivating niche capabilities and expertise within high-demand industries. Businesses with advanced manufacturing capabilities, especially those with specific focus on defence equipment that can act as sole suppliers, could benefit from similar procurement processes by aligning themselves with the prowess demonstrated by Colt Canada Corporation. Companies can explore potential subcontracting opportunities within similar projects to advance their market presence.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

The Supply of C8 Rifle Spares

Notice Description

Babcock Land Defence Ltd, acting as agent for the UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a 2 year contract with 3 option years using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 to Colt Canada Corporation. On the basis that, for technical reasons, the Contract can only be awarded to Colt Canada Corporation. Colt Manufacturing is the manufacturer and have appointed Colt Canada Corporation as the sole distributor of spares in the UK which support C8 Platform components. Colt Canada Corporation have been granted the rights from Colt Manufacturing to the technical specifications required to undertake the manufacture, testing and supply and they do not share this knowledge/expertise with any third party.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Babcock Land Defence Ltd, acting as agent for the UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a 2 year with 3 option years contract using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 to Colt Canada Corporation. On the basis that, for technical reasons, the Contract can only be awarded to Colt Canada Corporation. Colt Manufacturing is the manufacturer and have appointed Colt Canada Corporation as the sole distributor of spares in the UK which support C8 Platform components. Colt Canada Corporation have been granted the rights from Colt Manufacturing to the technical specifications required to undertake the manufacture, testing and supply and they do not share this knowledge/expertise with any third party. Babcock Land Defence Limited is acting as Agent on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. In the first instance interested parties may contact Babcock with queries relating to this procurement. CPV: 35321200 Risk Assessment Ref: RAR-240815B01

Options: 2 Years with 3 Option Years

Procurement Information

In accordance with regulation 4 of the Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service (as required by the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the DSPCR 2011 for technical reasons. This is because Colt Canada Corporation is the only Contractor with significant niche expertise, technical 'know-how' and acquired specific experience to source quality spares and manage the supply chain / delivery process for this requirement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e42a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043661-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

35321200 - Rifles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jul 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 Feb 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

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
TELFORD
Postcode
TF2 8JT
Postcode Area
Telford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG21 Telford and Wrekin
Delivery Location
TLG21 Telford and Wrekin
Local Authority
Telford and Wrekin
Electoral Ward
Donnington
Westminster Constituency
The Wrekin

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Colt Canada Corporation

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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