Planning

715268450 - RFA Berets - PME

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

04 Jul 2025 at 11:34

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is initiating a preliminary market engagement process for the procurement of RFA berets, aimed at aligning with the Royal Navy's "Navy Blue Berets". This process, documented under the tender ID RFI0059, falls within the 'goods' procurement category, specifically focusing on tailoring services, military uniforms, and berets. Currently in the planning stage, the contracting authority seeks to collect information by 18th July 2025. The procurement entails the potential reinstatement of around 2,000 Pantone Blue Berets, with leather headbands and adjustable drawstrings, proposed for delivery by November 3, 2025, across the United Kingdom.

This tender presents growth opportunities, particularly for businesses in the textile and garment manufacturing sector that specialize in military apparel. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are considered suitable contenders, given the contract's nature and scope. Engaging in this procurement process would allow businesses to expand into or enhance their military goods supply capabilities, fostering long-term relations with a significant government entity such as the Ministry of Defence. Interested parties should review the RFI document and adhere to submission guidelines to explore potential solutions that meet the Ministry's requirements.

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Notice Title

715268450 - RFA Berets - PME

Notice Description

Please note this is Preliminary Market Engagement in the form of a Request for Information. This is not currently an invitation to tender. The RFA were Historically supplied with a "Pantone Blue" Beret for Ratings which was changed in 2015. Capt Drew passed a paper to the management board to align both RFA Officers and Ratings with the Royal Navy "Navy Blue Berets". The aim will be to potentially reinstate the "Pantone Blue" Berets for the RFA and going to industry to determine the solutions that are available to the RFA. The aim is to procure circa 2000 total RFA beret with correct colouring comprising various sizes for all RFA Personnel. Headband material is to be leather, and preference would be for berets to include draw stings to make minor adjustments to sizing. This is an interim solution, and Berets are required to be delivered as a one-off procurement prior to the FGEN clothing team providing the enduring solution. Please see the RFI document with further information including how to submit an RFI attached to the DSP notice. Link below.

Planning Information

Please find RFI0059 document within this link https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60049

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05591b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037418-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

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

98 - Other community, social and personal services


CPV Codes

18441000 - Hats

18443310 - Berets

35811300 - Military uniforms

98393000 - Tailoring services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Nov 2025 - 3 Nov 2025 24 hours
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Navy Commercial RFI Team
Contact Email
navycomrcl-rfi@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
PORTSMOUTH
Postcode
PO2 8BY
Post Town
Portsmouth
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ31 Portsmouth
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Portsmouth
Electoral Ward
Nelson
Westminster Constituency
Portsmouth North

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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