Award

Type 31 Identification Friend or Foe (with FSS)

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

07 Aug 2025 at 13:02

Award

05 Aug 2025 at 12:31

Planning

22 Jul 2025 at 13:19

Summary of the contracting process

The recent procurement process initiated by Defence Equipment and Support, a central government authority in Bristol, centred around the acquisition titled "Type 31 Identification Friend or Foe (with FSS)". This procurement falls under the defence and security industry category and includes the purchase of three Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems for use within the Fleet Solid Support framework. The procurement stage currently highlights an award, with Leonardo UK Limited as the supplier. Although the procurement method was a direct award, which is typical for such defence-related categories, the process is governed by the UK Procurement Act 2023 due to technical specificity requirements. The award was announced on 7 August 2025, with a contract period stretching from 5 September 2025 to 1 June 2030, and a standstill period concluding by 18 August 2025.

This tender presents significant business prospects, particularly for large-scale suppliers versed in defence technology solutions. The opportunity primarily benefits businesses capable of delivering sophisticated satellite communications equipment, as evidenced by the contract's main procurement category. Companies familiar with Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe systems may find this contract particularly beneficial due to the technical requirements outlined, suggesting a niche yet lucrative market for specialised defence suppliers. Furthermore, the option for extended warranty and support services indicates promising prospects for companies that excel in ongoing technical maintenance and support, thereby fostering long-term business relationships and growth within the defence sector.

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Notice Title

Type 31 Identification Friend or Foe (with FSS)

Notice Description

Procurement of 3 IFF systems for Fleet Solid Support (FSS) with technical support and spares for both Type 31 and FSS

Procurement Information

The Fleet Solid Support ("FSS") Delivery Team and the Type 31 Delivery Team, which are part of the UK Ministry of Defence (the "Authority"), propose to place a contract with Leonardo UK Ltd (Company Registration Number 02426132) (the "Company") for the provision of three (3) Mode 5 Identification Friend-or-Foe Systems (the "Systems") to be integrated onto the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels (the "RFA Vessels") along with technical information and equipment spares (the "Goods"). The proposed contract will also include an ability for the Authority to obtain technical support from the Company (the "Services"). The proposed contract has an estimated value of PS12,500,000 (twelve million five hundred thousand pounds) ex VAT and a duration of five (5) years. This procurement falls to be governed by the Procurement Act 2023 (the "PA23") Chapter 3, Section 41: Direct Award in Special Cases. It is considered that direct award of the proposed contract is lawful in accordance with PA23 Schedule 5(6)(a)(b) which relates to an absence of competition for technical reasons for the following reasons. It is considered that direct award is lawful in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 PA 2023 due to an absence of competition for technical reasons. There is an absence of competition for technical reasons as no other supplier (other than the Company) is able to supply the Systems and Goods or provide the Services that meet MoD's requirements and there are no reasonable alternatives to the Systems, Goods and/or Services. Further, the Systems and Goods are required to have the same technical characteristics as existing systems and goods that are already in operation across wider UK MoD platforms. Operating systems and goods with different technical characteristics simultaneously across multiple RFA Vessels and UK MOD platforms would cause disproportionate technical difficulties in the operation and maintenance of the existing systems, goods and services. In particular, it would cause safety and operational user risk to arise, particularly with regards to the Cryptographic elements of the Systems, the Goods and the Services.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0563de
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046929-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment


CPV Codes

32531000 - Satellite communications equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£12,500,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£12,500,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
25 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
5 Aug 20256 months ago
Contract Period
4 Sep 2025 - 1 Jun 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contact Name
FSS Commercial
Contact Email
petros.piere294@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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LEONARDO

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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