Award

Bridge Set Infantry Assault (BSIA) In-Service Support - UK5

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

07 May 2025 at 10:48

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process led by Defence Equipment and Support, a central government authority located in Bristol, United Kingdom, involves the supply of in-service support for the Bridge Set Infantry Assault (BSIA) in the UK. Falling under the defence and security category, this contract entails direct awards to secure technical services, repair, and spares. The tender is now at the award stage, with a contract term spanning from 30th September 2025 to 31st March 2033, and possible extensions until 2035. The estimated value of the contract is approximately £5.45 million gross. The contract was awarded to General Dynamics European Land Systems-Bridge Systems GmbH, acknowledged for its technical expertise in modular assault bridges crucial for combat support.

This opportunity presents substantial prospects for businesses specializing in defence equipment and technical support services. Companies with niche expertise in mobile bridges, bridge-design, and inspection services can explore subcontracting or future collaborations, ensuring compliance with high technical and safety standards. While the direct award process highlights the necessity for specific expertise, businesses adept in compatible product offerings or supplementary technical services might find growth avenues through related procurement activities within the Ministry of Defence, leveraging their capabilities to support complex military equipment and operations.

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Notice Title

Bridge Set Infantry Assault (BSIA) In-Service Support - UK5

Notice Description

In-Service Support to Bridge Set Infantry Assault (BSIA) and the Manufacture and Delivery of BSIA Capital Spares

Procurement Information

Combat Support Vehicles (CSV), part of the UK Ministry of Defence ("the Authority"), intends to place a new contract for the Bridge Set Infantry Assault (BSIA) to provide repair, Post Design Services (PDS), spares, and technical assistance with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) GDELS-BS. The contract shall span 8 years and is estimated to cost circa PS5M. Bridge Set Infantry Assault (BSIA) is a modular assault bridge crucial for manoeuvring troops across various terrains. Placing a Direct Award contract with GDELS-BS, will ensure safety and technical standards continue to be met at reasonable cost to the taxpayer. Justification for utilising Direct Award is under Section 41, Schedule 5, Paragraphs 6 and 7 of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23),based on there being no reasonable alternatives to BSIA, the need for additional or repeated goods, services, or works and an absence of competition for technical reasons. The decision is grounded in the potential technical difficulties that would arise if a change in supplier led to incompatible goods or services, particularly in terms of operational and maintenance challenges. GDELS-BS is the only operator with the specific technical expertise required to support the maintenance and safe operation of the equipment. Using an alternative supplier would result in incompatibility and compromise safety, especially in tasks like technical welding which requires expert input from the OEM. Without access to the bespoke jigs and tools or to technical data and process information, a third-party supplier would not have sufficient information or capability to provide the required in-service support without significant operational safety risk and delays which are not operationally acceptable to the Authority. A Direct Award contract with the OEM guarantees access to necessary support, spares, technical services, and expertise, whilst underpinning the safety case of the capability without major disruptions. It is deemed the only option which meets the operational and safety requirements of the BSIA equipment, ensuring continuity, and value for money while mitigating associated technical and operational risk.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-050dac
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/019320-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

34144300 - Mobile bridges

44212110 - Bridge sections

71322300 - Bridge-design services

71631450 - Bridge-inspection services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£4,542,500 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 May 20259 months ago
Contract Period
29 Sep 2025 - 31 Mar 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
defcomrcl-systemsguidance@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
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

GENERAL DYNAMICS EUROPEAN LAND SYSTEMS-BRIDGE SYSTEMS

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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