Planning

13 Pounder Design Organisation (DO)

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

16 Sep 2025 at 20:48

Planning

03 Jul 2025 at 14:15

Planning

03 Jul 2025 at 14:05

Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), based in Bristol, has announced a planned procurement process titled "13 Pounder Design Organisation (DO)," aimed at ensuring the availability, reliability, and maintainability of the Ordnance, Quick Firing 13 Pounder Gun and Limber until its Out of Service Date in 2030. This procurement falls under the industry categories of defence equipment and repair and maintenance services. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with a preliminary market engagement notice published on 16th September 2025. Key dates associated with this project include an inquiry period ending on 7th November 2025, and a tender period closing on 9th January 2026. The contract, which will likely follow an open procurement method, is anticipated to start on 4th May 2026, with a possible extension of one additional year after the initial three-year period.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those involved in defence equipment design, repair, and maintenance services. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged, as the procurement strategy supports SME participation. Businesses with expertise in configuration management, design documentation, and obsolescence management will find this tender well-suited to their capabilities. The project’s estimated value of £2.5 million makes it an attractive prospect for firms looking to expand their portfolio in the defence sector, providing ample potential for business growth through collaboration with DE&S on a project fundamental to the State Ceremonial duties of the King’s Troop.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

13 Pounder Design Organisation (DO)

Notice Description

1. Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) require a Design Organisation (DO) for the Ordnance, Quick Firing 13 Pounder Gun and Limber to ensure its availability, reliability and maintainability until it's Out of Service Date (OSD) of 2030. The 13 Pounder DO include subsequent Post Design Services (PDS) that have core and non-core activities. This Project will provide assurance that capability can be retained in-service to enable Kings Troop to safely fulfil their State Ceremonial and Public Duties until the OSD in 2030 (Potential to change). 2. This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice has been issued to provide information to the market that DE&S TOWED is planning to procure Design Authority for 13pd and needs further intel to understand the feasibility of the requirement to enable it to develop the procurement strategy. 3. The tasks required to maintain the 13 Pounder Capability are as follows: Configuration Management Plan - Develop and maintain a comprehensive Configuration Management Plan. Ensure the plan includes all associated tasks, such as maintaining configuration baselines, status records, drawings, and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs). Design Documentation - Update and maintain all design documentation, including drawings, verification data, and specifications. Ensure all documentation complies with the Authority's procedures and adheres to the standards outlined in DEF STAN 05-10 (Parts 1-2) and DEF STAN 05-061 Part 1. Proposed Modifications - Identify, propose, and document modifications as required. Certificates of Design - Provide or Manage Certificates of Design to confirm compliance with design requirements and standards. Supporting Documentation - Produce all supporting documentation as specified in the 13 Pounder Statement of Work (SOW). Ad-Hoc and Non-Core Activities - Fulfil all ad-hoc and non-core activities as outlined in the 13 Pounder SOW. Obsolescence Management - Produce and maintain annually an Obsolescence Management Plan (OMP) for the 13 Pounder including an Obsolescence Report Status List 4. The Towed Artillery Systems anticipates a contract duration of 3 years with a 1-year options (3+1) to extend. 5. Note: The information contained in this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) may be subject to change. Insofar as is permitted by law, the Authority shall not be liable for any losses incurred by any party as a result of reliance on the information contained herein. 6. Whilst a complete solution is being sought, DE&S encourages participation in the RFI, which is to be issued within 10 working days from the date of this notice. 7. Note: This PMEN is not a means to seek formal expression of interest and shall not constitute a commitment to instigate a formal procurement process for the requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: 1 Option Year after the end of initial contract

Renewal: 1 Option Year after the end of initial contract

Planning Information

DE&S encourages participation in the Request For Information (RFI), which is to be issued within 10 working days from the date of this notice and it is to be closed within further 10 working days from the RFI being published. Further steps will be confirmed within the RFI.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05586e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057144-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

35000000 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

50000000 - Repair and maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Sep 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Jan 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
24 Oct 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 May 2026 - 3 May 2029 3-4 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
Vincent Onakpome
Contact Email
vincent.onakpome100@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

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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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