Award

ADWiMS/003 (Karkinos Two) UK5

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

27 Mar 2026 at 10:13

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Planning

21 May 2025 at 09:36

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for "ADWiMS/003 (Karkinos Two) UK5" has been awarded by Defence Equipment and Support, a public authority within the central government located in Bristol, UK. This award focuses on contractor logistics support and technical expertise for this project, specifically targeting repair and maintenance services of military electronic systems. The procurement method utilised was a direct award due to technical reasons under the Procurement Act 2023, making Serco Limited the exclusive supplier. Key details include a scheduled award signature date expected by 28th May 2027, with services commencing on 1st August 2027 through to 31st July 2032, with the possibility of two additional one-year extensions. Situated in the defence industry category, buyers can reach out to the contact point via Lewis.Harvey-Samuel100@mod.gov.uk for further details.

This tender provides substantial business growth opportunities for companies specialising in military electronics, particularly those capable of offering deep technical and logistical support for complex radar systems. Companies possessing bespoke test equipment or having established relationships with major defence contractors such as Lockheed Martin could find significant advantages in competing for similar contracts. While Serco Limited has historical knowledge and established expertise, businesses aiming to develop strategic partnerships and possessing niche technical capabilities in the defence sector could potentially thrive if they leverage compliance with ITAR regulations and foster relationships with Original Equipment Manufacturers. This focus on highly specialised services underscores the importance for firms with prior experience and knowledge in dealing with controlled technical data and operational availability requirements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

ADWiMS/003 (Karkinos Two) UK5

Notice Description

Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) and Technical expertise for Lockheed Martin Air Defence Radar Systems. The scope includes: - CLS for the Lockheed Martin Radar Systems. - Associated on-site services at the Remote Radar Heads. - In-service support to existing on-site Air Defence capabilities at the Remote Radar Heads. - Crypto Custodian and Distribution services. - Option for ad hoc tasks in support of the contract requirements. CPV: 50660000 - Repair and maintenance services of military electronic systems

Procurement Information

It is considered that the contract can be awarded directly in accordance with Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 together with paragraph 6 (absence of competition for technical reasons) of Schedule 5. The technical data for the Lockheed Martin Air Defence Radar Systems is controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Authority does not have the rights to release the relevant technical data for the purposes of competitive tendering nor does it have access to the relevant software codes and/or compiler information necessary for another contractor to perform the contract. Lockheed Martin Global Inc. is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and is unwilling to allow any Direct Competitor the rights to the export controlled technical data. Access to this technical data and to the OEM's expertise as Design Authority is critical for the safe and effective maintenance and operation of the Radar Systems. Therefore, only non-competitors, such as Serco Limited, could have access to the necessary technical data that is required to deliver the Contractor Logistic Support for the Lockheed Martin Air Defence Radar Systems. Serco Limited is an established and long-standing partner with Lockheed Martin and fully complies with Lockheed Martin's supply chain requirements. Given the age of the Radar systems, Serco have demonstrated deep historical knowledge of component-level repair/replacement requirements and provide excellent support capabilities with technical advice from Lockheed Martin that cannot be assumed with alternate support contractors. Serco possess bespoke test beds and rigs that they have created. The importance of this test equipment is growing as the age of the assets means that more components approach Beyond Economic Repair status. These test tools are not Authority owned and therefore would not be available to a new supplier. Another support contractor may not have the knowledge to fully support Lockheed Martin systems and comply with Lockheed Martin policies and procedures. With Serco's knowledge of the system and over 20 years of operational and maintenance support, Lockheed Martin would be able to continue supporting Operational Availability requirements. Operational Availability is an essential component of the Authority's requirement. Therefore, it is considered that only Serco Limited can deliver the Authority's Operational Availability requirements - which is an essential component of Contractor Logistic Support - in partnership with Lockheed Martin, due to Serco's access to the required technical data, access to the OEM's expertise, and Serco's own technical knowledge and tools.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0519fb
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028339-2026
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

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50660000 - Repair and maintenance services of military electronic systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£40,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£74,000,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Mar 20264 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Apr 20266 days to go
Award Date
27 Mar 20264 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Jul 2027 - 31 Jul 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
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
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

SERCO

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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