Planning

Project SHAMER: Multi-Caliber Sniper Weapon Capability

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Planning

02 Mar 2026 at 21:04

PlanningUpdate

19 Nov 2025 at 12:11

PlanningUpdate

13 Nov 2025 at 17:13

Planning

29 Oct 2025 at 13:59

Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), a central government public authority located in Bristol, UK, is currently in the planning stage for "Project SHAMER: Multi-Caliber Sniper Weapon Capability". This procurement process focuses on goods related to defence and security, specifically sniper weapon systems, ancillary equipment, and through-life support and maintenance. The project anticipates utilising various ammunition types, including .338LM, 7.62x51 NATO, and a new addition, .300NM. This is a preliminary market engagement exercise, with key dates including participation responses due by 23 March 2026. The contract period is anticipated to commence on 9 March 2027 and end on 7 March 2034, with an estimated value of £20,000,000. Companies can look forward to a formal procurement notice around January 2026.

Participating in this market engagement offers businesses the opportunity to contribute to shaping the tender and interact with DE&S's technical teams, enhancing their understanding of current market capabilities. This process encourages competition and draws attention to innovative solutions within the defence sector. It presents considerable growth opportunities for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) specialising in sniper weapon systems, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fitting the technical and service support criteria. The DE&S remains committed to ensuring the procurement strategy remains attractive to the market, supported by an inclusive and feedback-driven approach to finalising tender documents.

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Notice Title

Project SHAMER: Multi-Caliber Sniper Weapon Capability

Notice Description

This is a second round of Preliminary market engagement -2 (PME-2) for a new Multi Caliber Sniper Capability. The scope of the requirement is still expected to include: * Sniper Weapon Systems * Ancillary Equipment (e.g. suppressors, bipods, carrying systems) * Through-Life Support and Maintenance The system will utilise in-service ammunition (.338LM, 7.62x51 NATO) and sighting solutions, as well as introducing a new to service nature .300NM. Following the publication of the initial preliminary market engagement notice-1 (PME-1) on 29 October 2025, the Authority conducted an Industry briefing day on 3rd December 2025. This event allowed for direct interaction with the participating suppliers and provided invaluable insights into the current market landscape. The Authority wishes to extend its sincere thanks to all suppliers who participated in the briefing and those who have submitted responses to the initial Request for Information -1 (RFI-1). Your time, attention, and the detailed information provided have been instrumental in helping us shape our requirements to this point. While the interaction achieved many of its objectives, the Authority has identified specific areas where further detail is required to ensure a successful outcome. We are issuing this second PME-2 notice and supplementary question set, called Request for Information -2 (RFI-2) to: * Use the feedback to help fill technical information gaps. * Inform procurement strategy. * Ensure market attractiveness. * Encourage competition.

Planning Information

How to participate: Previous respondents: if you have already responded to the initial RFI-1 issued in October 2025, you are only required to provide response to the question set (RFI-2). New suppliers: We welcome and encourage participation from suppliers who have previously not engaged. New entrants are encouraged to respond to Original RFI-1and RFI-2 to provide a complete view of their capabilities. Access the RFI-1 - https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60453 Access the RFI-2- https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60453 All responses must be submitted to: DES-LandP2DCCCommercialTeam@mod.gov.uk by 23.59 on 23/03/2026. Please note: This is just an information gathering exercise only. It is not a pre-qualification or selection process for any future procurement. Participation is highly encouraged, but companies that do not register interest or respond to RFI-1 or/and RFI-2 at this time will still be free to participate in any future formal procurement. The Authority will publish further notices in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 prior to the formal launch of procurement.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d649
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018697-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

35321200 - Rifles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£16,666,666 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jun 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
9 Mar 2027 - 7 Mar 2034 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

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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