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Post Design Services (PDS) & Repairs for the Mobile Test Facility (MTF) Vehicle

Defence Equipment and Support

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

02 Jun 2026 at 09:10

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

21 Apr 2026 at 10:57

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

21 Jul 2025 at 14:37

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Equipment and Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence located in Bristol, has concluded a procurement process under the title "Post Design Services (PDS) & Repairs for the Mobile Test Facility (MTF) Vehicle". This initiative falls within the defence and communication systems maintenance services industry. The contract involves ensuring optimal support for Tactical Data Link (TDL) systems used across various maritime platforms. The contract was awarded to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited through a direct award method, justified by the latter's exclusive rights to necessary software and technical expertise. The contract term runs from 1st May 2026 to 30th April 2027, with potential extensions up to 30th April 2028.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities, primarily for established defence contractors with the technical capability to manage complex communication system maintenance services. Large firms such as those with the capacity to handle detailed software management and technical documentation are particularly well-suited to compete in this sector. The necessity for robust defence and communication infrastructures means that enterprises with experience in supporting military-grade test facilities have a distinct advantage in capturing such contracts, especially given the stringent technical requirements laid out by the Defence Equipment and Support Authority.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Post Design Services (PDS) & Repairs for the Mobile Test Facility (MTF) Vehicle

Notice Description

The Situational Awareness Command and Control (SACC) Delivery Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (the Authority), intends to award a contract to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (the Contractor) for the support of the One Mobile Test Facility (MTF), inclusive of bespoke Interoperability Test Tools (IOTT) to provide a complete Tactical Data Link (TDL) testing and assurance capability in the form of a Mercedes Sprinter Vehicle for all the current in-service TDL's including Link 11, Link 16 and Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAPC) across the Maritime platforms. BAE Systems (Operations) Limited are currently contracted to provide Post Design Services for the Mobile Test Facility and have exclusive rights for the Agile software. Subsequently, the Contractor has managed the IOTT capability since the MTF was procured supporting a wide range of test equipment and analysis software used to provide functional testing, monitoring, trialling, defect diagnosis and rectification of Maritime TDL fitted platforms. The MTF tests the new Link 16 MIDS JTRs Terminals and seeks to standardise all in-scope maritime platforms in the next 5 years under the Maritime Multi Link Programme in preparation for transition to in service Equipment Authorising Authority (EAA). The capability will replicate the ship environment to enable an accurate and quick defect rectification service to support both pre-deployment workups and platform release back into service following Operational Defect reporting and assistance and alterations and additions (repairs). It will enhance Navy Commands ability to support trials and NATO exercises with allied nations as the van can be driven to parts of the country not supported by a static TDL test facility to start the Link 11 and Link 16 network allowing the maritime platforms to join or to identify TDL issues with participating platforms. The Contractor is the only supplier to align the van suite of future test tools to the TDL scope ensuring a true replica of a unit afloat and thereby providing optimum support in the TDL test environment. The Contractor also holds the technical documentation, tools, software licences and know-how necessary to perform the service. The original software was designed many years ago and has been supported by the Contractor managing technical upgrades and obsolescence issues. On this basis it is considered that only the Contractor has the technical expertise and knowledge, including system specifications to support the software application. The Cyber Risk Level is Low, and the Risk Assessment Reference number is RAR-250529B05.

Procurement Information

It is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful in accordance with section 41(1) of the Procurement Act 2023 and paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 for technical reasons as the Contractor owns the relevant technical information relating to the equipment and only the Contractor has the required technical expertise and know-how necessary to fulfil the Authority's requirement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05630d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051675-2026
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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50334400 - Communications system maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£939,592 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
£939,592 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Jun 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Jul 20251 years ago
Contract Period
1 May 2026 - 30 Apr 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
Postcode Area
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

BAE Systems (Operations) Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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