Award

NSSL Continuation of satellite airtime service to BFMC Cutters and CPVs

HOME OFFICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

14 Aug 2025 at 12:09

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process conducted by the Home Office involves the direct award of a contract for the continuation of satellite airtime services to BFMC Cutters and CPVs, with NSSL Global as the supplier. This contract, essential for ensuring uninterrupted maritime operations, falls under the industry category of ship-operating services. Key dates include the award date on 14 August 2025, with the contract period running from 1 September 2025 to 31 March 2026. The procurement method is direct, below the competition threshold, and justified by technical constraints and urgency. The contract, valued at £20,000, ensures compliance with maritime regulations and supports Border Force priorities, headquartered in London.

This tender presents a business growth opportunity for suppliers with expertise in satellite communications, particularly those authorised to work with Inmarsat technology. SMEs well-versed in maritime operations and compliance requirements are ideally positioned to compete in future contract opportunities, as the Home Office intends to run an open competition for a new three-year airtime contract. By participating in this procurement process, businesses can establish their reputation within the public sector and gain access to critical service areas that contribute to the safety and functionality of maritime fleets.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

NSSL Continuation of satellite airtime service to BFMC Cutters and CPVs

Notice Description

Each cutter's GMDSS suite is dependent on subscription-based satellite airtime to function. The currently installed equipment is fully integrated into the vessels' systems and operates exclusively on the Inmarsat network, for which NSSL Global is the current and original supplier. These systems were installed during vessel construction under a Crown Commercial Service (CCS) contract previously held by HMRC and subsequently novated to the Home Office. The same standardised systems and supplier (NSSL Global) were used when the Cutter Patrol Vessels (CPVs) were later procured. As a result, NSSL Global remains the only provider capable of ensuring continued, uninterrupted service on the existing Inmarsat-based GMDSS equipment across the MARDIR fleet. While MARDIR intends to run an open competition to establish a new three-year airtime contract, a gap in service during this transition would render vessels non-compliant with international maritime regulations and unable to deploy, directly impacting Border Force maritime operations and Government priorities. Given the critical nature of the GMDSS capability and the technical constraint that airtime can only be provided by an authorised Inmarsat agent, a direct award to NSSL Global until 31 March 2026 is essential to: * Maintain legal compliance with SOLAS GMDSS carriage requirements; * Ensure the safety and operability of the cutter and CPV fleets; * Avoid operational disruption during the period required to run a compliant procurement. This direct award is therefore justified on the grounds of extreme urgency and technical compatibility, where changing suppliers in the interim would result in unacceptable safety, compliance, and operational risks.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0587dd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048744-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

63 - Supporting and auxiliary transport services; travel agencies services

CPV Codes

63726600 - Ship-operating services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£20,000 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Jul 20257 months ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2025 - 31 Mar 2026 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HOME OFFICE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
name@homeoffice.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW1P 4DF
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NSSL GLOBAL

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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