Planning

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement - The Provision of Engineering Aerospace Commissioning Scheme (EPACS)

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

28 Oct 2025 at 15:49

Planning

28 Oct 2025 at 11:16

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence (MOD), a central government authority located in Naphill, UK, has initiated a planned procurement process for the "UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement - The Provision of Engineering Aerospace Commissioning Scheme (EPACS)". This tender falls under the services category, specifically targeting adult-education services at university level and personal development training services. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage with key dates including an enquiry period ending on 12 January 2026 and bid submission concluding on 23 January 2026. The anticipated contract period is from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2032, with potential extensions. The procurement method is an open procedure, allowing for broad participation. The contract is valued at £800,000, with a gross estimate of £960,000.

This tender presents a notable opportunity for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to expand their offerings in the field of aeronautical engineering. The project requires collaboration with the MOD to validate a degree programme aligned with regulatory standards across the UK, aiming for professional accreditation within the contract duration. Businesses specialising in educational services with capabilities in course validation and professional accreditation will find this venture particularly appealing. It offers the potential for long-term collaboration and engagement with MOD's unique requirements, enhancing service portfolios and professional networks.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement - The Provision of Engineering Aerospace Commissioning Scheme (EPACS)

Notice Description

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) requires Higher Education Institution (HEI) providers to collaborate with the Authority to validate a degree programme which complies with regulations set by the relevant government authorities (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in the UK, The Office for Students in England, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales in Wales, and the Scottish Funding Council in Scotland). Course validation must be in place to allow qualifications to be awarded to students on completion of their courses. The programme of study should be designed to make it suitable for accreditation by an appropriate professional institution. The Supplier and Authority will collaborate over the duration of the contract with the aim of achieving professional accreditation within the contract period. The intent is to enable completing students to apply for professional registration as Incorporated Engineers with the Engineering Council. The role of the DCTT is to train and educate Aeronautical Engineering (AE) to meet the Defence requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: Additional optional +1+1 years added to the initial period at the Authorities discretion.

Planning Information

Further instructions are included in the uploaded docuement - 20251024_715090450_EPACS_PREM. For inflormation purposes a draft Statement of Requirement (SoR) - 20250805-715090450_Draft_SoR_EPACS has also been uploaded. The closing date and time for resposne to this RFI is 21 November 2025 at 09:00hrs.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d503
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069084-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services


CPV Codes

80430000 - Adult-education services at university level

80570000 - Personal development training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£800,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£800,000 £500K-£1M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Oct 20252 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jan 20263 months to go
Future Notice Date
8 Dec 20254 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Garry Chubb
Contact Email
defcomrcl-systemsguidance@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
NAPHILL
Postcode
HP14 4UE
Post Town
Hemel Hempstead
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ13 Buckinghamshire
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Ridgeway West
Westminster Constituency
Mid Buckinghamshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-05d503-2025-10-28T15:49:23Z",
    "date": "2025-10-28T15:49:23Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05d503",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PHVX-4316-ZVGZ",
            "name": "Ministry of Defence",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PHVX-4316-ZVGZ"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "RAF High Wycombe",
                "locality": "Naphill",
                "postalCode": "HP14 4UE",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ13"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "name": "Garry Chubb",
                "email": "DefComrcl-SystemsGuidance@mod.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PHVX-4316-ZVGZ",
        "name": "Ministry of Defence"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "Further instructions are included in the uploaded docuement - 20251024_715090450_EPACS_PREM. For inflormation purposes a draft Statement of Requirement (SoR) - 20250805-715090450_Draft_SoR_EPACS has also been uploaded. The closing date and time for resposne to this RFI is 21 November 2025 at 09:00hrs.",
                "dueDate": "2025-11-21T23:59:59+00:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "068869-2025",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068869-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-10-28T11:16:16Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            },
            {
                "id": "069084-2025",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK3",
                "description": "Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069084-2025",
                "datePublished": "2025-10-28T15:49:23Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "715090450",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement - The Provision of Engineering Aerospace Commissioning Scheme (EPACS)",
        "description": "The Ministry of Defence (MOD) requires Higher Education Institution (HEI) providers to collaborate with the Authority to validate a degree programme which complies with regulations set by the relevant government authorities (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in the UK, The Office for Students in England, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales in Wales, and the Scottish Funding Council in Scotland). Course validation must be in place to allow qualifications to be awarded to students on completion of their courses. The programme of study should be designed to make it suitable for accreditation by an appropriate professional institution. The Supplier and Authority will collaborate over the duration of the contract with the aim of achieving professional accreditation within the contract period. The intent is to enable completing students to apply for professional registration as Incorporated Engineers with the Engineering Council. The role of the DCTT is to train and educate Aeronautical Engineering (AE) to meet the Defence requirement.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "80430000",
                        "description": "Adult-education services at university level"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "80570000",
                        "description": "Personal development training services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "value": {
            "amountGross": 960000,
            "amount": 800000,
            "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2032-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                    "maxExtentDate": "2034-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "status": "planned",
                "value": {
                    "amountGross": 960000,
                    "amount": 800000,
                    "currency": "GBP"
                },
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Additional optional +1+1 years added to the initial period at the Authorities discretion."
                }
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2025-12-08T23:59:59+00:00"
        },
        "status": "planned",
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "submissionMethodDetails": "www.comtracts.mod.uk",
        "submissionTerms": {
            "electronicSubmissionPolicy": "allowed",
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-23T09:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "enquiryPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-01-12T09:00:00+00:00"
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-03-06T23:59:59+00:00"
        }
    },
    "language": "en"
}