This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Tender

23 Jun 2026 at 11:18

Planning

21 May 2026 at 12:50

Planning

22 May 2025 at 14:36

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is currently in the tender stage for its procurement process concerning worldwide repatriation services for deceased Armed Forces and other entitled personnel. This service requirement arises from the Ministry's need to provide support in cases that may also involve major incidents resulting in mass fatalities. The contract, valued at £4,900,000 with a gross amount of £5,880,000, utilises the open procurement procedure, allowing participation via the Defence Sourcing Portal. The tender process is active with a submission deadline of 22nd July 2026. Contracting will begin on 1st January 2027 and may extend to a maximum duration ending 31st December 2030, with services extending across the United Kingdom and potentially into conflict zones worldwide. The industry category relevant to this tender is undertaking services.

Business opportunities through this tender are substantial, especially for companies specialising in repatriation services, who can demonstrate capability in responding to high-stakes and sensitive scenarios involving military personnel. This contract offers a long-term engagement potential, making it a lucrative option for businesses within the undertaking services sector. Companies that are registered with the National Association of Funeral Directors or an equivalent entity would find this tender suitable. The framework agreement with firm prices ensures that the winning supplier can secure predictable revenue by providing necessary services on a call-off basis, highlighting a strategic opportunity for steady business growth, particularly for SMEs qualified and ready to operate both domestically and in challenging international environments.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Repatriation Services

Notice Description

The Ministry of Defence has a requirement for worldwide repatriation services for deceased Armed Forces and other entitled personnel, including the provision of specialist services in the event of a major incident resulting in mass fatalities.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: At the Authority's discretion options to extend the contract by up to 24 months taking the total contract duration to 48 months, in monthly increments

Renewal: At the Authority's discretion options to extend the contract by up to 24 months taking the total contract duration to 48 months, in monthly increments

Planning Information

This Notice is to highlight a virtual preliminary market engagement event taking place via a Microsoft Teams call on Wed 3 Jun 2026 to share details of and gain industry views of the MOD’s Repatriation Services requirement. If you are interested in joining the call please send an email to DefComrcl-HOBP4Team@mod.gov.uk by 17:00 on Fri 29 May. Background - The Ministry of Defence has an enduring requirement for worldwide repatriation services, on an individual or multiple basis, for deceased Armed Forces and other entitled personnel. These services may include the provision of specialist services in the event of a major incident resulting in mass fatalities where the Authority is either required to lead the response to the incident or provide assistance. Due to the nature of the requirement, it is not possible to predict how frequently the contractor will be called upon to provide the services. The Contractor must provide a 365 day/24 hour worldwide repatriation service. The Contractor will be responsible for ensuring the services carried out conform to medical and legal requirements; the preparation of the body which may include embalming, facial reconstruction and dressing; provision of coffins and shrouds; and preparation and marking of the coffin for movement and arrangement of transport (note: Civil flights will only be used where RAF flights are not available). The Contractor will be required to send staff into theatres of military operations in order to effect repatriations where there is no local funeral infrastructure and, in the event of a major incident, be able to provide suitable personnel and be responsible for their security in any operational/conflict zone worldwide, overseas location or, exceptionally, in the UK. The Contractor may be required to provide a Mortuary Assistant for an in-Theatre Mortuary. In the event of a major incident, the Contractor may be required to provide any or all of the following emergency services: deploy a Major Incident Specialist to the MODs Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC) to assist in planning; provide Incident Management at the scene; recovery of remains; establish, operate and maintain an incident mortuary (which may include identification and processing of remains) or a body holding provision; assist the Services / local authorities with handling personal effects at the scene under Service supervision; liaise with all agencies; crisis intervention services and critical incident stress management; recovery of deceased bodies or remains; supply, transportation and support maintenance of suitable body storage units in theatre with appropriate mortuary assistants; deal with contaminated/infectious and Bio Hazard issues which need careful handling in order to comply with current and future health and safety regulations; body/body part identification which could include (though not be limited to) providing a Forensic Pathologist, Forensic Odontologist, Forensic Print Specialist, Forensic Photographer, Mortuary Assistant and Embalmer. The Contractor may also be requested to assist the appointed Pathologist in identification. This list is not exhaustive and other situations can arise, which may require special handling. The Contractor must be a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors or equivalent. There have been on average 9 repatriations to the UK or country of origin per year over the last three years; however, due to the nature of the requirement, exact numbers are unknown and could be higher or lower in the future. The figure for the past three years is provided for guidance purposes only and there have been occasions where 150 repatriations have occurred in a 12 month period. To date, specialist services due to a major incident have not been required, although this is no indication of potential future requirements. The contractor will be requested to undertake tasks as required on a call off basis. No business whatsoever is guaranteed under any resulting framework agreement or contract, indeed there is no guarantee that any framework agreement or contract will be put in place.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051eae
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/058911-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

98371200 - Undertaking services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,900,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,900,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jun 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
22 Jul 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
11 Jun 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 31 Dec 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
2028-06-01

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLOUCESTER
Postcode
GL3 1HW
Post Town
Gloucester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK73 Gloucestershire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Tewkesbury
Electoral Ward
Innsworth
Westminster Constituency
Tewkesbury

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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