Award

In-Service Support of Ships Compass Transmission (SCTS) and Meteorological Data Gathering System (MDGS)

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

28 Jul 2025 at 15:49

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Planning

28 Jul 2025 at 15:45

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment and Support department, based in Bristol, has awarded a contract for the continued in-service support of the Ships Compass Transmission (SCTS) and Meteorological Data Gathering System (MDGS) to Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd. This procurement falls under the "Repair and maintenance services of warships" category and is mainly centred around ensuring the operability of critical navigation and weapon systems in various classes of the Royal Navy’s vessels. The award, with an estimated total value of £10 million, was finalised on 28th July 2025, with the contract set to commence on 3rd November 2025, having a planned duration of seven years with potential extensions of up to two additional years. This process is currently at the award stage, with the procurement method recorded as a direct award given the technical reasons cited, aligning with Procurement Act 2023 specifics.

This opportunity potentially benefits businesses specialising in complex naval systems support and obsolescence management. Large enterprise suppliers with a comprehensive understanding of the SCTS and MDGS systems, such as SEA Ltd, are well-positioned to exploit this contract as they possess extensive technical expertise and a deep-rooted familiarity with these systems. Given the technical specificity required, businesses seeking to engage in similar tenders might consider investing in niche capabilities and knowledge of systems integration efforts associated with military naval operations to enhance their competitive edge in future related tenders. This direct award underscores the importance of specialised technical prowess and long-standing relationships with key defence stakeholders.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

In-Service Support of Ships Compass Transmission (SCTS) and Meteorological Data Gathering System (MDGS)

Notice Description

In Service Support contract for Ships Compass Transmission (SCTS) and Meteorological Data Gathering System (MDGS) with Systems Engineering and Assessment Limited (SEA ltd) for in-service support to and obsolescence management of Ships Compass Transmission and Meteorological Data Gathering systems fitted to Type 23 Frigates, Hunt and Sandown Classes and to Vanguard Class Submarines. These provide critical ship's compass and meteorological information to platforms' navigational and weapons systems.

Procurement Information

The Command & Control, Targeting, Navigation and Communications Team, part of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, intends to place an In Service Support contract for Ships Compass Transmission (SCTS) and Meteorological Data Gathering System (MDGS) with Systems Engineering and Assessment Limited (SEA ltd) for in-service support to and obsolescence management of Ships Compass Transmission and Meteorological Data Gathering systems fitted to Type 23 Frigates, Hunt and Sandown Classes and to Vanguard Class Submarines. These provide critical ship's compass and meteorological information to platforms' navigational and weapons systems. The planned term of the contract is seven (7) years, plus two (1 + 1) option years. The total value, including options, is estimated to be PS10 million inclusive of VAT. It is considered that the award of this contract without prior publication of a tender notice is lawful in accordance with Section 41 of, and Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to, the Procurement Act 2023 for technical reasons. SEA Ltd has supported the systems since 2017 and is the only supplier with the necessary detailed knowledge of the systems and their maintenance histories, and so the specific technical know-how required, to safely support the systems and manage obsolescence through to their out of service dates. The Command & Control, Targeting, Navigation and Communications Team, part of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence, intends to place an In Service Support contract for Ships Compass Transmission (SCTS) and Meteorological Data Gathering System (MDGS) with Systems Engineering and Assessment Limited (SEA ltd) for in-service support to and obsolescence management of Ships Compass Transmission and Meteorological Data Gathering systems fitted to Type 23 Frigates, Hunt and Sandown Classes and to Vanguard Class Submarines. These provide critical ship's compass and meteorological information to platforms' navigational and weapons systems. The planned term of the contract is seven (7) years, plus two (1 + 1) option years. The total value, including options, is estimated to be PS10 million inclusive of VAT. It is considered that the award of this contract without prior publication of a tender notice is lawful in accordance with Section 41 of, and Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to, the Procurement Act 2023 for technical reasons. SEA Ltd has supported the systems since 2017 and is the only supplier with the necessary detailed knowledge of the systems and their maintenance histories, and so the specific technical know-how required, to safely support the systems and manage obsolescence through to their out of service dates. Annex 1: Component NSNs for SCTS & MDGS units No. NSN Description SCTS Component NSNs 1 993277424 REPEATER TAPE HEADING 2 994606458 REPEATER COMPASS. 3 994606485 BRACKET REPEATER 4 994606522 BRACKET DUAL POSITION RE 5 994606523 CIRCLE AZIMUTH 6 994606573 CIRCLE AZIMUTH 7 995207686 INDICATOR COURSE 8 995220270 AZIMUTH CIRCLE ILLUMINAT 9 995226964 INDICATOR COURSE/ Calculator Course 10 995235028 SYNCHRONOUS BEARING REPE 11 995235029 CONTROL AZIMUTH GYRO COM 12 995258993 CONTROL DATA DISTRIBUTOR 13 995259213 INDICATOR COURSE 14 995270727 SYNCH BEARING REPEATER 15 995293919 POWER SELECTOR COMPASS T 16 995298158 TOOL KIT DATA DISTRIBUTO 17 996608815 REPEATER TAPE DIGITAL 18 999231278 INDICATOR COURSE 19 999235574 GEARBOX MECHANICAL MR 20 999404695 REPEATER TAPE DIGITAL 21 995236994 METER DISTANCE MARINE 22 995270729 CONTROL AZIMUTH GYRO COM (VCS 657) 23 995235030 CONTROL AZIMUTH GYRO COM (VCS 274) 24 995330265 INDICATOR COURSE 25 995270726 CONTROL DATA DISTRIBUTOR (LOW MAG VARIANT) MDGS Component NSNs 1 997631611 COMPLETE MDGS RACK 2 992126914 MDGS RECEIVER RACK 3 998670675 MDGS COMPUTER RACK 4 999850710 MDGS TERMINAL RACK 5 993008077 MDGS APT ANTENNA ASSEMBLY 6 998338701 NMEA BUFFER

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-056774
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043622-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency 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

50640000 - Repair and maintenance services of warships

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£8,333,333 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£8,333,333 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Jul 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
28 Jul 20256 months ago
Contract Period
3 Nov 2025 - 2 Nov 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contact Name
In-Service Support of Ships Compass Transmission (SCTS) and Meteorological Data Gathering System (MDGS)
Contact Email
melinda.magyari100@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

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING & ASSESSMENT

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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