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714655452 - MSS/144 - Fresh Water and Technical Water Production

Defence Equipment and Support

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Tender

19 Mar 2026 at 16:30

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

06 Nov 2025 at 14:04

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

20 May 2025 at 11:27

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

17 Apr 2025 at 13:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The upcoming tender process initiated by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), an arm's length body of the Ministry of Defence, seeks proposals for the project titled "714655452 - MSS/144 - Fresh Water and Technical Water Production." This procurement falls under the industry category of goods related to water production technology and will take place in Bristol, United Kingdom. DE&S is tasked with delivering essential equipment and support services to UK forces and is currently in the 'Tender' stage of the procurement cycle, with key dates including an expression of interest deadline set for 17th April 2026. The tender involves a competitive flexible procedure overseen by the Procurement Act 2023, emphasizing its significance in defence and security. Businesses interested in participating should note the procurement method is selective, requiring suppliers to navigate a rigorous Procurement Specific Questionnaire to be eligible for an invitation to tender. The awarded contract will span from 30th June 2027 to 30th June 2032, with options for extension up to 2036.

This tender represents a substantial business opportunity, offering a potential contract value of up to £74.5 million. The requirement comprises approximately 1,500 line items, primarily NATO-codified, and includes mature technologies suitable for the current Royal Navy fleet and commercial shipping. The procurement calls for companies adept in technical water production systems—specifically reverse osmosis and distillation processes—as well as those capable of providing comprehensive support services including spare parts supply, repair, and maintenance. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in water purification, supply chain management, technical services, and post-design operations will find this contract particularly aligned with their capacities. The complexity and defense-related nature of the contract imply a Level 3 cyber risk profile, presenting an advanced technical challenge ideal for enterprises with a proven track record and commitment to security and innovation.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

714655452 - MSS/144 - Fresh Water and Technical Water Production

Notice Description

714655452 - MSS/144 - Fresh Water and Technical Water Production Description: Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) is an arms' length body of the Ministry of Defence, which delivers equipment and support services to the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force. DE&S play a critical role in keeping the United Kingdom safe and prosperous, and making sure the front-line have the right kit at the right time. From fighter jets to food deliveries, from patrol boats to protective clothing, DE&S deliver effective and innovative kit to front-line forces. Within the DE&S structure, the Power Propulsion and Auxiliary (PPA) team is a technology area, working across different areas of defence to deliver and sustain systems that generate operational energy, to provide propulsion (e.g. prime movers/engines and transmissions fitted to platforms), and cross-cutting auxiliary systems, including life support, fire-fighting, medical, and catering equipment. PPA have a requirement to support and maintain the production of fresh (potable) water using reverse osmosis and distillation processes to support habitability, including drinking water and hotel services for its maritime environment. Additionally, the de-mineralised water has a technical use which currently supports a number of Royal Navy master equipments. The requirement will include the supply of permanent and consumable spares, repair and maintenance activities, technical and post design services (including obsolescence management and disposals), and supply chain management. The intended equipment scope of the contract will include support to the following Fresh Water/Technical water Production Master Equipment: * Reverse Osmosis Plants, * Evaporator / Distilling Units, * Fresh Water Embarkation Units, * Potable Fresh Water Dosing. The equipment included within the scope of the contract is mature technology developed from the commercial market over the last 30 years and is fitted to the current RN Fleet, RFA Fleet and other Foreign Navy vessels, and is widely used in commercial shipping, including tankers, cruise liners etc. This range of equipment is in the In-Service phase of the CADMID cycle. The contract consists of circa 1,500 line items, the majority of which are NATO codified. The equipment range encompasses multiple Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) supplied equipment. The level of support provided by OEMs ranges from the supply of spares only, through to technical support and repair. The management of OEMs will be the responsibility of the contractor. This tender notice is for the award of a public contract through a competitive flexible procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023. It is considered a Defence and Security Contract due to its scope and therefore the relevant provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 relating to defence and security contracts are applicable. There will be a requirement for Post Design Services outside of the core requirement and a tasking process will be included for this. The Cyber Risk Profile for this requirement identified by the Cyber Risk Assessment is Level 3 (Expert) Reference - RAR-CKQ9-4ZV. It is anticipated that TUPE will apply to this requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The scope will initially include systems and equipments which are currently in service, with the option to include additional Fresh Water and Technical Water Production systems as they enter service. The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Option to purchase additional services if required.

Renewal: * 30 June 2027 to 30 June 2032 * Possible extension to 30 June 2036 * An initial 5 years plus 4 Option years = 9 years Description of possible extension: Option to extend the contract up to 4 additional years in 2 year increments.

Planning Information

On Friday 16th May, PPA will be inviting suppliers to a Market Engagement Industry Day to present the PPA Water Purification requirement and seek market expertise to enable PPA to confirm its requirement and the potential to move towards a contract for availability for its front line command. Interested parties should note that the Official Secrets Act 1989 and National Security Act 2023 is likely to apply to this requirement. The event will be held from 9:30am – 16:00pm at DE&S Head Office – MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide refreshments for the event but will provide opportunity for attendees to utilise the facilities on site. All attendees MUST hold either SC clearance or BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard), for further details please refer to - Government baseline personnel security standard - GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-baseline-personnel-security-standard In order to register your interest for this event, please contact DESShipsMSS-MaST-SaBP@mod.gov.uk stating the names of the two personnel who will be in attendance, providing details of their security status. After you have registered, you will receive further information regarding the event, which will include further detail and problem statements that will be discussed on the day. Please note: This PME does not formally signify the beginning of a procurement process and does not constitute commitment to undertake a procurement exercise until the Tender Notice is issued. You must not take this announcement as confirmation that the Authority shall award a contract for this requirement. The Authority is publishing this announcement without any commitment to issue a tender or place a contract. The Authority also reserves the right to vary or cancel the Industry Day at any time. Accordingly, any expenditure, work or effort undertaken before contract award is a matter solely for the commercial judgement of potential suppliers. Announcements will also be published on the Central Digital Platform (CDP), the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP), and the Find a Tender service (FTS).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0504d5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025425-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

41 - Collected and purified water

42 - Industrial machinery

51 - Installation services (except software)

CPV Codes

41110000 - Drinking water

41120000 - Non-drinking water

42912300 - Machinery and apparatus for filtering or purifying water

42912310 - Water filtration apparatus

42912330 - Water-purifying apparatus

51514110 - Installation services of machinery and apparatus for filtering or purifying water

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£65,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£65,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Mar 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2027 - 30 Jun 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Defence Equipment and Support
Additional Buyers

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) - Power Propulsion and Auxiliary (PPA)

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
Postcode Area
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)

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