Award

Connectivity Assurance Testing for the Ajax Programme

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

03 Nov 2025 at 12:19

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for "Connectivity Assurance Testing for the Ajax Programme" has been conducted by Defence Equipment and Support, a central government authority located in Bristol, United Kingdom. This process pertains to the defence and security sector, specifically associated with communication equipment. The procurement was executed via a direct award method to General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited due to specific technical requirements. The award, valued at £3 million including VAT, covers a contract period from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028, with the option for a further one-year extension due to the ongoing nature of the AJAX vehicle production schedule extended to 2028. This procurement is at the 'Award' stage as of 3rd November 2025.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for firms specialising in defence communication solutions, particularly those with capabilities in Connectivity Assurance Testing. Companies with expertise in communications equipment, and who can meet stringent security and technical requirements, such as having suitably trained personnel and the appropriate equipment, are well-positioned to benefit from such contracts. Although the direct award was made to General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited due to unique technical reasons, the insights from this procurement detail lucrative areas within the defence industry that other businesses might target by aligning their offerings with leading requirements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Connectivity Assurance Testing for the Ajax Programme

Notice Description

AJAX vehicle deliveries started in December 2018 and as a part of the Joint Acceptance Group, all vehicles undertaken by the Authority there is a requirement for the conduct of Connectivity Assurance Test (CAT) for the platform communications installation including the GFE BOWMAN equipment supplied by the Authority. The requirement is currently delivered under Contract No 700009869 and will expire in March 2026. Due to the Ajax Vehicle Production schedule being extended to 2028, the CAT scope of work needs to mirror the schedule until all vehicles are produced and assured with CAT as such the need to award a contract.

Procurement Information

The DE&S CV2 Portfolio team part of the Secretary State for Defence (the Authority") intends to award a contract to General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited for the provision of Connectivity Assurance Testing for a period of three (3) years (2+1 option year). The estimated total contract value is PS3million incl VAT As a background information, AJAX vehicle deliveries started in December 2018 and as a part of the Joint Acceptance Group, all vehicles undertaken by the Authority there is a requirement for the conduct of Connectivity Assurance Test (CAT) for the platform communications installation including the GFE BOWMAN equipment supplied by the Authority. The requirement is currently delivered under Contract No 700009869 and will expire in March 2026. Due to the Ajax Vehicle Production schedule being extended to 2028, the CAT scope of work needs to mirror the schedule until all vehicles are produced and assured with CAT as such the need to award a contract. In accordance with Section 2 of the Procurement Act 2023 this procurement is governed by the Procurement Act 2023. It is considered that this contract can be awarded under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 because the direct award justification specified in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 applies, in that, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited has the only suitably trained and qualified personnel to carry out CAT along with access and ownership of specialist testing equipment to assure and certify the BOWMAN equipment to In-service readiness. They also hold the necessary security accreditations, clearances, and sovereign capability to perform this work within UK Defence standards. Due to interoperability and capability risks there are no reasonable alternatives available.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d8df
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070410-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

CPV Codes

32570000 - Communications equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 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
Paul Antill
Contact Email
paul.antill365@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
07929 180383

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

GENERAL DYNAMICS UNITED KINGDOM

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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