Planning

714497450-Procurement of Deep Water Remotely Operated Vehicle-Pipeline Notice

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

02 Jun 2025 at 13:54

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
PlanningUpdate

21 May 2025 at 07:30

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

20 May 2025 at 10:40

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Equipment and Support organisation, a public authority within the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), is currently in the planning stage of a significant procurement process. This tender involves acquiring a deep-water work-class Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) system along with supporting equipment for salvage operations. The project is distinguished by its focus on advanced capabilities for object manipulation and high-resolution imagery at depths below 4000 metres. Located in Bristol, UK, and delivering to Bulgaria, this procurement falls within the goods category under the special regime for defence security, seeking businesses above threshold values. The estimated contract notice is planned to be issued in 2026/2027, with an indicative award timeframe expected in the fiscal year 2028/2029. Businesses are advised that future communications regarding this tender could be expected around the end of September 2025.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in unmanned underwater vehicles and associated technologies. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as voluntary and community sector enterprises (VCSEs), are encouraged to engage, as the procurement process accommodates these entities. Companies with expertise in producing or supporting deep-water ROV systems, especially those offering launch, recovery, and road transport solutions, will find this tender particularly suited to their capabilities. Additionally, the contract foresees a year-long in-service support package, inviting service providers capable of maintaining cutting-edge maritime technology to leverage their business growth through sustained engagement with the MOD. The potential financial scale and duration of the contract further underline the opportunity for long-term engagement and expansion in defence sector procurement.

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

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

714497450-Procurement of Deep Water Remotely Operated Vehicle-Pipeline Notice

Notice Description

The Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) Team within the MOD, have a potential requirement procure a deep-water work class Remotely Operating Vehicle and supporting equipment to carry out its core salvage activities. The intent is that the ROV should be capable of object manipulation and high-resolution imagery below a depth of 4000m. The intended procurement is for at least one, work class Remotely Operated Vehicle system, capable below 4000m including the vehicle, launch and recovery system, control, workshop and supporting ISO containers and is to be readily deployable via road transportation. The intent is also to procure an in-service support solution package for at least one year. SALMO plan to issue a contract notice for this requirement in 2026/2027. Indicative contract award timeframe, subject to financial approval, is currently estimated to be in financial year 2028/2029.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051869
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029196-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

CPV Codes

35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£13,761,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Jun 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Sep 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Oct 2028 - 14 Sep 2033 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contact Name
Huw Davies
Contact Email
huw.davies140@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

Further Information

Notice Documents

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-051869-2025-06-02T14:54:03+01:00",
    "date": "2025-06-02T14:54:03+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-051869",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "planning": {
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "023129-2025",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023129-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-05-20T11:40:04+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "023525-2025",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/023525-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-05-21T08:30:35+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "029196-2025",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029196-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-06-02T14:54:03+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": {
                "name": "Huw Davies",
                "email": "huw.davies140@mod.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM",
        "name": "Defence Equipment and Support"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "714497450",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "714497450-Procurement of Deep Water Remotely Operated Vehicle-Pipeline Notice",
        "description": "The Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) Team within the MOD, have a potential requirement procure a deep-water work class Remotely Operating Vehicle and supporting equipment to carry out its core salvage activities. The intent is that the ROV should be capable of object manipulation and high-resolution imagery below a depth of 4000m. The intended procurement is for at least one, work class Remotely Operated Vehicle system, capable below 4000m including the vehicle, launch and recovery system, control, workshop and supporting ISO containers and is to be readily deployable via road transportation. The intent is also to procure an in-service support solution package for at least one year. SALMO plan to issue a contract notice for this requirement in 2026/2027. Indicative contract award timeframe, subject to financial approval, is currently estimated to be in financial year 2028/2029.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "35512400",
                        "description": "Unmanned underwater vehicles"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "BG41",
                        "country": "BG",
                        "countryName": "Bulgaria"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "BG41",
                        "country": "BG",
                        "countryName": "Bulgaria"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "BG41",
                        "country": "BG",
                        "countryName": "Bulgaria"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 16513200,
            "amount": 13761000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "specialRegime": [
            "defenceSecurity"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2028-10-31T00:00:00+00:00",
                    "endDate": "2033-09-14T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "planned"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-09-30T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planned",
        "amendments": [
            {
                "id": "029196-2025",
                "description": "Changes made to title of notice to comply with Defence Commercial Policy"
            }
        ]
    },
    "language": "en"
}