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Kongsberg Discovery AS Single Source Contract for Hydrographic Sonar Support UK5 TN

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

30 Jul 2025 at 12:07

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

This public procurement process is managed by Defence Equipment and Support, a sub-central government entity of the UK Ministry of Defence, located in Bristol, UK. The tender, titled "Kongsberg Discovery AS Single Source Contract for Hydrographic Sonar Support UK5 TN", focuses on the maintenance and provision of sonar equipment essential for hydrographic surveying within the industry category of surveying and hydrographic instruments. The procurement has advanced to the award stage, with a contract period starting on 1st September 2025 and extending to the potential end date of 1st September 2029. This direct award procurement decision was made under the Defence Equipment and Support's guidance to maintain continuous support without competition due to technical reasons, signifying a lawful and strategic procurement move under the Procurement Act 2023.

The awarded contract with Kongsberg Discovery AS presents significant opportunities for growth particularly for businesses operating in the hydrographic surveying and sonar technologies sectors. Given Kongsberg's position as the original equipment manufacturer, supplying and maintaining echosounder systems for the Royal Navy, this contract stands out as catering primarily to specialised services that require technical know-how. Businesses with competencies in hydrographic services, survey instrumentation, and technical repair and maintenance of sonar systems would have been well-suited to engage in this procurement. Although the direct award limits participation to Kongsberg, the focus on hydrographic sonar support suggests potential future opportunities for businesses looking to innovate or partner in servicing naval sonar technology solutions.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Kongsberg Discovery AS Single Source Contract for Hydrographic Sonar Support UK5 TN

Notice Description

maintenance and provision of hull mounted Multibeam and Single Beam Echo Sounders (MBES / SBES) to Kongsberg Discovery AS to enable in-service support, calibration, maintenance, repair, training and replacement of the systems mentioned above manufactured by Kongsberg Discovery AS.

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 hull mounted Multibeam and Single Beam Echo Sounders (MBES / SBES) to Kongsberg Discovery AS to enable in-service support, calibration, maintenance, repair, training and replacement of the systems mentioned above manufactured by Kongsberg Discovery AS. The contract will be for 3 plus 1 option years and have an estimated value of PS1,000,000.00. 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 the PA 2023. This is due to an absence of competition for technical reasons as only Kongsberg can supply the goods, services or works required, and there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works. Kongsberg Discovery AS develop, design and manufacture the range of hydrographic echosounders currently fitted to Royal Navy vessels, along with their associated firmware and software. These systems are sold directly from Kongsberg Discovery AS to the end user with spares and support also provided directly. There are no alternative manufacturers of aftermarket spares to support the systems and no other companies are authorised to maintain or support the systems. As original equipment manufacturer, Kongsberg Discovery AS has confirmed that any third party involvement in repair or maintenance would invalidate the original equipment warranty or support agreement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-056901
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044253-2025
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
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jul 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Jul 20256 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 1 Sep 2029 4-5 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

KONGSBERG DISCOVERY

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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