Award

CSV/M3-ISS - M3 Amphibious Rig In-Service Support-UK5

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

16 Apr 2026 at 15:07

PlanningUpdate

20 May 2025 at 12:49

Planning

16 May 2025 at 12:52

Summary of the contracting process

Defence Equipment and Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, is engaged in a procurement process for the in-service support of the M3 Amphibious Bridging System, known as the Wide Wet Gap Crossing Capability. This contract involves providing Level 4 repairs, Post Design Services (PDS), and technical assistance, with a duration of six years and options for two additional years, commencing on 1st April 2027 and potentially extending until 31st March 2035. Located in Bristol, United Kingdom, the procurement falls under the defence and security category and is being executed through direct award, as justified by the Procurement Act 2023, primarily due to technical reasons and the necessity of interoperability between British and German Army systems. The contract is valued at approximately £10 million, excluding VAT.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses operating within the defence sector, particularly those specialising in mobile bridges and military vehicle maintenance and repairs. General Dynamics European Land Systems - Bridge Systems GmbH, the awarded supplier, offers a model example as they hold the technical knowledge and system-specific expertise necessary for supporting the M3 system, indicating the potential success for manufacturers and service providers capable of similar specialisations and technical contributions. Companies with experience in technical assistance and post-design services for military systems will find this contract conducive to growth in market share and expertise within defence procurement projects.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

CSV/M3-ISS - M3 Amphibious Rig In-Service Support-UK5

Notice Description

Combat Support Vehicles (CSV), part of the UK Ministry of Defence ("the Authority"), intends to place a new contract to provide Level 4 repairs, Post Design Services (PDS), and technical assistance for the Authority's existing in-service M3 Amphibious Bridging System (a Wide Wet Gap Crossing Capability). A duration of this contract will be 6 years (plus two Option years) and an estimated initial value will be circa PS10M (ex VAT). The CSV codes are: 34144300 - Mobile bridges 50630000 - Repair and maintenance services of military vehicles

Procurement Information

Combat Support Vehicles (CSV), part of the UK Ministry of Defence ("the Authority"), intends to place a new contract to provide Level 4 repairs, Post Design Services (PDS), and technical assistance for the Authority's existing in-service M3 Amphibious Bridging System (a Wide Wet Gap Crossing Capability (WWGCC)). The proposed contract shall be awarded to General Dynamics European Land Systems - Bridge Systems (GDELS-BS), the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the M3 Bridging System, with a total duration of 6 years and an estimated value of circa PS10M. This award falls to be governed by the Procurement Act 2023 (the "PA 2023") Chapter 3, Section 41: Direct Award in Special Cases. It is considered that the direct award to GDELS-BS is lawful in accordance with PA 2023 Schedule 5, paragraph 6. This is because of (i) an absence of competition for technical reasons; and (ii) there are no reasonable alternatives to the services being procured, for the following reasons. The M3 system is currently used by both the British and German Army in a Joint Amphibious Engineer Battalion. As part of a joint battalion, the Authority has an operational requirement for M3 bridges, as it is essential to ensure interoperability of the two systems and safe operating procedures. The M3 Amphibious Rig is a self-deployable 4x4 wheeled vehicle that operates on land and can be deployed either as a continuous bridge or as separate mobile ferries on water, providing a Wide Wet Gap Crossing Capability (WWGCC). GDELS-BS are the existing support provider for the M3 system and the OEM and Design Authority (DA). They are the only supplier that has the required system-specific technical knowledge, manufacturing and support information, and tools, to provide the required Level 4 repair support, PDS, and technical assistance, while also ensuring the safety of the system.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0515df
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034850-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, 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

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

34144300 - Mobile bridges

50630000 - Repair and maintenance services of military vehicles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£18,950,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£10,000,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jun 20262 months to go
Award Date
16 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 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
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
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)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0515df-2026-04-16T16:07:05+01:00",
    "date": "2026-04-16T16:07:05+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0515df",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "planning": {
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "022236-2025",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022236-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-05-16T13:52:51+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "023260-2025",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023260-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-05-20T13:49:57+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM",
            "name": "Defence Equipment and Support",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PVRL-5831-GLMM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "MOD Abbey Wood",
                "locality": "Bristol",
                "postalCode": "BS34 8JH",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK12"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "Katarzyna.Bialas-Swart100@mod.gov.uk",
                "name": "Katarzyna Bialas-Swart"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PPXP-8717-HGML",
            "name": "General Dynamics European Land Systems-Bridge Systems GmbH",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PPXP-8717-HGML"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Barbarossa Strasse 30",
                "locality": "Kaiserslautern",
                "postalCode": "67655",
                "country": "DE",
                "countryName": "Germany",
                "region": "DE"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "sales@gdels.com"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gdels.com",
                "scale": "large",
                "vcse": false
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM",
        "name": "Defence Equipment and Support"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "CSV/M3-ISS",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "CSV/M3-ISS - M3 Amphibious Rig In-Service Support-UK5",
        "description": "Combat Support Vehicles (CSV), part of the UK Ministry of Defence (\"the Authority\"), intends to place a new contract to provide Level 4 repairs, Post Design Services (PDS), and technical assistance for the Authority's existing in-service M3 Amphibious Bridging System (a Wide Wet Gap Crossing Capability). A duration of this contract will be 6 years (plus two Option years) and an estimated initial value will be circa PS10M (ex VAT). The CSV codes are: 34144300 - Mobile bridges 50630000 - Repair and maintenance services of military vehicles",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "34144300",
                        "description": "Mobile bridges"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "50630000",
                        "description": "Repair and maintenance services of military vehicles"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "DE",
                        "country": "DE",
                        "countryName": "Germany"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "DE",
                        "country": "DE",
                        "countryName": "Germany"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 22740000,
            "amount": 18950000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "specialRegime": [
            "defenceSecurity"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2027-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2033-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2035-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "complete"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-06-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "complete",
        "procurementMethod": "direct",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Direct award",
        "procurementMethodRationale": "Combat Support Vehicles (CSV), part of the UK Ministry of Defence (\"the Authority\"), intends to place a new contract to provide Level 4 repairs, Post Design Services (PDS), and technical assistance for the Authority's existing in-service M3 Amphibious Bridging System (a Wide Wet Gap Crossing Capability (WWGCC)). The proposed contract shall be awarded to General Dynamics European Land Systems - Bridge Systems (GDELS-BS), the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the M3 Bridging System, with a total duration of 6 years and an estimated value of circa PS10M. This award falls to be governed by the Procurement Act 2023 (the \"PA 2023\") Chapter 3, Section 41: Direct Award in Special Cases. It is considered that the direct award to GDELS-BS is lawful in accordance with PA 2023 Schedule 5, paragraph 6. This is because of (i) an absence of competition for technical reasons; and (ii) there are no reasonable alternatives to the services being procured, for the following reasons. The M3 system is currently used by both the British and German Army in a Joint Amphibious Engineer Battalion. As part of a joint battalion, the Authority has an operational requirement for M3 bridges, as it is essential to ensure interoperability of the two systems and safe operating procedures. The M3 Amphibious Rig is a self-deployable 4x4 wheeled vehicle that operates on land and can be deployed either as a continuous bridge or as separate mobile ferries on water, providing a Wide Wet Gap Crossing Capability (WWGCC). GDELS-BS are the existing support provider for the M3 system and the OEM and Design Authority (DA). They are the only supplier that has the required system-specific technical knowledge, manufacturing and support information, and tools, to provide the required Level 4 repair support, PDS, and technical assistance, while also ensuring the safety of the system.",
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "conflictOfInterest",
                "documentType": "conflictOfInterest",
                "description": "Not published"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
            {
                "id": "singleSuppliersTechnicalReasons"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "1",
            "title": "CSV/M3-ISS - M3 Amphibious Rig In-Service Support",
            "status": "pending",
            "value": {
                "amountGross": 12000000,
                "amount": 10000000,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
            "aboveThreshold": true,
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-PPON-PPXP-8717-HGML",
                    "name": "General Dynamics European Land Systems-Bridge Systems GmbH"
                }
            ],
            "items": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "additionalClassifications": [
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "34144300",
                            "description": "Mobile bridges"
                        },
                        {
                            "scheme": "CPV",
                            "id": "50630000",
                            "description": "Repair and maintenance services of military vehicles"
                        }
                    ],
                    "deliveryAddresses": [
                        {
                            "region": "DE",
                            "country": "DE",
                            "countryName": "Germany"
                        }
                    ],
                    "relatedLot": "1"
                }
            ],
            "contractPeriod": {
                "startDate": "2027-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                "endDate": "2033-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                "maxExtentDate": "2035-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
            },
            "hasRenewal": true,
            "renewal": {
                "description": "Options to extend support by 2 years to 2035."
            },
            "hasOptions": true,
            "options": {
                "description": "Options to extend support by 2 years to 2035."
            },
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "documents": [
                {
                    "id": "034850-2026",
                    "documentType": "awardNotice",
                    "noticeType": "UK5",
                    "description": "Transparency notice on Find a Tender",
                    "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034850-2026",
                    "datePublished": "2026-04-16T16:07:05+01:00",
                    "format": "text/html"
                }
            ],
            "milestones": [
                {
                    "id": "1",
                    "type": "futureSignatureDate",
                    "dueDate": "2027-03-15T23:59:59+00:00",
                    "status": "scheduled"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}