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Application Development & Support

Defence Equipment and Support

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

15 Aug 2025 at 13:40

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

19 May 2025 at 14:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

19 May 2025 at 14:02

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), a public authority operating under the UK central government, has initiated a tender process for the "Application Development & Support" project, aimed at developing and supporting software applications for military use. Located in Bristol, UK, the procurement falls into the services category with a focus on defence and security, and has a significant gross budget of GBP 12,300,000. This procurement follows a competitive flexible procedure, in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, emphasising selective acquisition methods. Prospective suppliers must express interest by 26th September 2025 and ensure inquiries are addressed by 12th September 2025, with the final award expected by 24th November 2025.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for growth in the software development sector, particularly beneficial for businesses specialising in military and IT application software. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to participate. Candidates should possess a Facility Security Clearance, due to the sensitivity level of the applications being developed, ranging up to SECRET UK EYES ONLY. The procurement method underlines technical competencies and value for money, allowing companies excelling in software development, IT security, and cloud services to leverage their expertise for potential strategic partnerships. The involvement in this contract could significantly enhance a firm's portfolio in high-security software systems, particularly within the defence sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Application Development & Support

Notice Description

The requirement is for the development and in service support of Application Development & Support (ADAS). This will include software development and support for the following: - Development and continued availability of an application store. - Systems and platforms may include Android, Windows, Linux and AWS. Software (applications) will be required to be developed for use on a variety of networks and with varying levels of data classification. Applications may be standalone, networked using secure closed systems or open cloud based and may be required to interface with 3rd party hardware e.g. sensors for data ingest, processing and transfer. These apps will need to be integrated onto the application store. - Integration of commercial off the shelf (COTS) applications onto the application store. The suppliers will be required to support DE&S with rapid, insightful, and cost-effective decisions to ensure the sustainment of the UK defence operations. The number of bespoke apps is subject to change but is assumed to be around ~20 over the life of the contract. The applications are to be used by a small, CBRN focused Military group only. The classification of application development is up to and including OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE. However, some apps may require libraries up to an including SECRET UK EYES ONLY meaning that the supplier will be required to hold Facility Security Clearance before contract award. The in-service support shall include, but not limited to maintaining availability of the applications and the application store.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: 4 options years avialable, to be taken 1 year at a time. The Authority reserve the right, at its absolute discretion, to not take up any or all the option(s). Further information on the option(s) will be provided in the Invitation to Tender.

Planning Information

Please note Preliminary Market Engagement was previously conducted (in 2024) in the form of a request of supplier briefs, in an aim to identify the level of industry interest, gain feedback to further inform our requirement and understand what method industry deem most suitable for the delivery and running of this contract once awarded. This was requested via PIN reference 2024-041728 https://www.findtender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018376-2024

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0516f4
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049140-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72212000 - Programming services of application software

72212517 - IT software development services

72212983 - Development software development services

72231000 - Development of software for military applications

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10,250,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£10,250,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Aug 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
12 Sep 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
30 Jun 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jul 2026 - 30 Jun 2030 4-5 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
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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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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