Award

Surface Assets Storage and Maintenance

DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

30 Dec 2025 at 15:13

Award

03 Dec 2025 at 11:19

AwardUpdate

15 Jul 2025 at 09:34

Award

25 Jun 2025 at 09:37

Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, a central government public authority in the United Kingdom, has awarded a follow-on contract to L3 Harris ASV for the storage, maintenance, and repair of Authority-owned surface vessels under the title "Surface Assets Storage and Maintenance." This direct award is part of a completed tender process initiated on the basis of technical specialisation and intellectual property considerations. The contract, valued at £1,162,350 gross, with £968,625 net, covers services classified under dry-docking, reconditioning, and upgrading of ships. Located in Salisbury, with services delivered across the UK, the contract commenced on 17 December 2025 and is set to continue until 31 March 2026, with options for extension through to 2029.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for businesses involved in maritime technology and maintenance, particularly those capable of handling complex Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) systems. Companies with expertise in system integration, third-party software integration, and compliance with maritime safety codes will find this contract appealing. L3 Harris ASV's unique capabilities and access to proprietary systems make them an ideal partner, but similar businesses equipped with the required technical proficiency and intellectual property knowledge could also benefit from exploring partnerships or sub-contracting opportunities in future tenders.

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Notice Title

Surface Assets Storage and Maintenance

Notice Description

The Authority has awarded a follow-on contract to L3 Harris, to provide storage, maintenance and repair services for a number of Authority owned surface vessels.

Procurement Information

Continuation of technically specialist services, IP issues and timescales. This is a follow-on contract for the Storage, Maintenance, Operation and Repair of the Maritime Autonomy Surface Testbed (MAST) assets. Service provision is required immediately. MAST assets are complex system-of-systems that provide an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) system capability. L3 Harris has unique SQEP specific to the Dstl-owned systems (which incorporate L3Harris and Dstl owned IP). They have a detailed knowledge of the system and can fulfil the role of 'Design Authority' to safely design vessel modifications for trial requirements (including integration of Third Party software, sensors and payloads), can safely operate the USV and ensure compliance with legislation, primarily the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Workboat Code, and the Ministry of Defence Certification requirements. The MAST is a complex system of systems, which is software intensive. The software architecture includes software elements, with IP owned by Dstl and by L3Harris ASV distributed inextricably throughout. The expertise required to develop and integrate systems is the USP of L3 Harris and no other 3rd party would be able to get access to this due to the systems proprietary nature. The Dstl owned software cannot function without the OEM software. Given the complex technical nature of the MAST systems and the IPR issues, any alternative supplier would introduce an unacceptable level of technical and project management risk to this procurement.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055320
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086473-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

50244000 - Reconditioning services of ships or boats

50245000 - Upgrading services of ships

50246100 - Dry-docking services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£968,625 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£968,625 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Dec 20251 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Jun 20258 months ago
Contract Period
17 Dec 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
sp3_commercial_team@dstl.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SALISBURY
Postcode
SP4 0JQ
Post Town
Salisbury
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK72 Wiltshire
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Wiltshire
Electoral Ward
Winterslow & Upper Bourne Valley
Westminster Constituency
Salisbury

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
4
Supplier Names

L3 HARRIS ASV

L3HARRIS AUTONOMOUS SURFACE VEHICLES

L3HARRIS MAPPS

L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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