Award

704104450 - Maritime Command & Staff Trainer (MCAST)

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

05 Aug 2025 at 14:40

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has entered the award stage for the Maritime Command & Staff Trainer (MCAST) procurement, classified under training and simulation in security equipment. This contract is particularly relevant within the UK, focusing on defence services. The procurement method used was selective, specifically negotiated with the publication of a contract notice. The contract, which has been awarded to QinetiQ LTD, was signed on 31st July 2025 and holds a total value of £34,000,000 with initial activities covering a 5-year period and provision for extensions.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in defence technology, training, and simulation. Companies capable of developing and managing sophisticated virtual training environments aligned with Defence Modelling and Simulation Coherence principles may find substantial growth potential here. Moreover, this contract offers prospects for integration and collaboration with NATO and other international partners, signifying opportunities for organisations seeking to strengthen their position within the defence sector. Businesses with robust capabilities in delivering complex defence solutions would be well-suited to compete in such tenders.

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Notice Title

704104450 - Maritime Command & Staff Trainer (MCAST)

Notice Description

The MCAST System will provide a virtual environment for Maritime Battlestaffs (MBS) Tier 1, 2 and 2+ training and assurance exercises. The MCAST System will also provide interface to MBS participation in Tier 3 exercises run by other organisations with the potential to stretch to join Tier 4 exercises. At a lower level MCAST might be exploited for specific Tier 1 training delivered to the MBS or sub-teams. The intent is for MCAST to be capable of linking to the wider Defence synthetic training environments. Compliance with Defence Modelling and Simulation Coherence (DMaSC) principles, as defined in JSP 939, will enhance coherence and interoperability, enable efficiencies, and facilitate integration with other synthetic environments. Links to NATO, other international partners and, potentially, component level organisations are expected to follow. The initial 5 Year Contract Period has a value of PS24,817,763.88, with the costed options (including two +1 year options) taking the overall Contract Value to PS34,000,000.00

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0581c8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046226-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated with publication of a contract notice
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

35740000 - Battle simulators

80610000 - Training and simulation in security equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£34,000,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Jul 20256 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Not Specified
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Synthetic Environments and Training, attn: Smith, Alex
Contact Email
alex.smith202@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

QINETIQ

Further Information

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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