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Geoacoustics Ltd Single Source Contract for Support to Pulsar S2094 Sidescan Sonar UK5 TN

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

29 Jul 2025 at 14:06

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

On 29th July 2025, the Defence Equipment and Support, a sub-central government authority based in Bristol, initiated a direct award contract with Geoacoustics Ltd for services related to the Pulsar S2094 Sidescan Sonar. The contract is valued at £880,000 and spans a period from 1st September 2025 to 1st September 2030, with an additional option to extend by up to two years. This procurement falls under the service category, specifically surveying and hydrographic instruments, and is justified under the Procurement Act 2023 due to Geoacoustics Ltd being the sole source capable of providing the required support and maintenance for their proprietary sonar systems.

This procurement represents a significant opportunity for Geoacoustics Ltd, as it underscores their unique position in the hydrographic instrument industry. The direct award provides business continuity and growth through the maintenance and support services they offer, reinforcing their expertise and exclusive capability in handling high-tech marine survey equipment. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with specialised skills in advanced technological maintenance and a focus on niche markets like hydrographic services may find similar opportunities in single-source contracts with public authorities, particularly where a high level of technical expertise and proprietary control over service tools and techniques is advantageous.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Geoacoustics Ltd Single Source Contract for Support to Pulsar S2094 Sidescan Sonar UK5 TN

Notice Description

maintenance and provision of S2094 Pulsar Sidescan Sonars (SSS) to Geoacoustics Ltd. to enable in-service support, calibration, maintenance, repair, training and replacement of sidescan sonars manufactured by Geoacoustics Ltd.

Procurement Information

Defence Equipment & Support, Ships Support (Hydrographic and Patrol), part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), intends to award a contract for the maintenance and provision of S2094 Pulsar Sidescan Sonars (SSS) to Geoacoustics Ltd. to enable in-service support, calibration, maintenance, repair, training and replacement of sidescan sonars manufactured by Geoacoustics Ltd. The contract will be for 3 years plus 2 options years and have an estimated value of PS880,000.00 In accordance with the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 ("PA 2023"), it is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to PA 2023. This is due to an absence of competition for technical reasons as only Geoacoustics Ltd. can supply the goods, services or works required, and there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. GeoAcoustics Ltd are the sole manufacturer of the equipment and are responsible for aftermarket support and maintenance globally. GeoAcoustics Ltd. have no approved or authorised service representatives and spare parts can only be sourced directly from GeoAcoustics Ltd. The towfish requires specialised tools and equipment to repair it; GeoAcoustics Ltd. are the only organisation that has this equipment and only GeoAcoustics Ltd. personnel are trained in the repair of this side scan sonar system. Any involvement by 3rd parties in maintenance or repair of the equipment would invalidate warranties.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05683f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043935-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

38290000 - Surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic and hydrological instruments and appliances

38292000 - Hydrographic instruments

71353100 - Hydrographic surveying services

71354400 - Hydrographic services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£880,000 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
29 Jul 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
29 Jul 20256 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 1 Sep 2030 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
Not specified
Contact Email
ashley.case101@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

GEOACOUSTICS

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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