Tender

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement (Sonar Modelling Handbook)

DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

13 May 2025 at 12:49

UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Planning

29 Apr 2025 at 09:34

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), a central government public authority based in Salisbury, United Kingdom, initiated a procurement process titled "UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement (Sonar Modelling Handbook)". This procurement, classified under marine services and sonars, was initially in the planning stage to gather insights for updating the Sonar Modelling Handbook, a key resource in the UK's defence underwater acoustic sector. However, the tender was later withdrawn on 13 May 2025, following a review of requirements by Dstl. A notable milestone in this process was a Preliminary Market Engagement Event scheduled on 5 June 2025, aimed at involving industry stakeholders in the handbook's refreshment.

This tender presented significant growth opportunities for businesses with expertise in sonar technology and underwater acoustic services, particularly those adept in research and development for the defence sector. SMEs with capabilities in digital innovation and data modelling would have found this an ideal engagement to shape the future standards and practices in the field. Moreover, the involvement could foster partnerships with the Ministry of Defence, aligning business offerings with updated industrial and academic applications in the UK. Participating in such engagements enables businesses to considerably broaden their portfolio by contributing to upcoming and transformative defence projects.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement (Sonar Modelling Handbook)

Notice Description

The Sonar Modelling Handbook (SMH) has been the standard reference for modelling, data and metrics across the UK defence underwater acoustic enterprise for multiple decades, supporting work within the MoD, industry and academia. It provides visibility to UK industry and academia of what the MoD considers the best information available and supports consistency in performance modelling across the UK enterprise. As Dstl embarks on a significant refresh of the SMH material and presentation for the digital era, including incorporation of the latest theory and data, and commissioning specific research, it is seeking to engage industry and academia across the UK to provide input as to the way ahead at a Preliminary Market Engagement Event (PMEE). This will include new mechanisms for refreshed limitations on dissemination.

Planning Information

Interested parties must contact Dstl Commercial to provide an overview of subject matter expertise and request attendance at the Preliminary Market Engagement Event (PMEE). You will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and submit suitable information for security vetting prior to invitation. The PMEE will be held on 05/06/2025. Attendance costs will not be covered. It is hoped that supplier engagement will inform Dstl’s approach to an industry-wide agreement for the future publication and utilisation of the SMH.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0508e0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020849-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

38113000 - Sonars

98360000 - Marine services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Withdrawn
Lots Status
Withdrawn
Awards Status
Cancelled
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
Additional Buyers

MISSING

Contact Name
Sam Sparks
Contact Email
ssparks@dstl.gov.uk
Contact Phone
01980956145

Buyer Location

Locality
SALISBURY
Postcode
SP4 0JQ
Post Town
Salisbury
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK72 Wiltshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Wiltshire
Electoral Ward
Winterslow & Upper Bourne Valley
Westminster Constituency
Salisbury

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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