Planning

Communications Ancillaries and Hearing Protection

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Dec 2025 at 13:46

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence, through its Defence Equipment and Support office based in Bristol, is planning a procurement process for communications ancillaries and hearing protection systems. This tender is vital to equip personnel with advanced tactical hearing protection and ensure interoperability with various communication systems. The industry category encompasses command, control, and communication systems, alongside safety headgear and maintenance services. The procedure is at the planning stage as of 16th December 2025, with expressions of interest closing by 16th March 2026, and the contract expected to be awarded by the end of November 2026.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, especially for UK registered companies specialising in communication equipment and tactical systems. Small and medium-sized enterprises may find this particularly beneficial, given the suitability criteria favouring SMEs. Companies offering comprehensive maintenance, support services, and personnel security vetted to SC clearance are well-positioned to compete. The competitive flexible procurement method seeks innovative solutions, allowing businesses to expand their portfolios through engagement with cutting-edge defence technology and integration capabilities for various radio systems and platforms.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Communications Ancillaries and Hearing Protection

Notice Description

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) requires a route to market for a range of Communications Ancillaries and Hearing Protection (CA&HP) to meet the varied operational needs of its personnel. This includes the requirement to provide the best tactical hearing protection (HP) on the market, as well as the provision of HP systems compatible with a range of operational environments/scenarios. Suppliers must be capable of providing ongoing support for these HP systems, including maintenance, fault resolution, and updates to ensure continued functionality and compliance with safety standards. It is essential that suppliers have a reliable route to market to facilitate the ongoing procurement and support of current in-service deliverables, including INVISIO systems. This includes the ability to supply spares and firmware upgrades to ensure continued operational availability and effectiveness of these systems. Furthermore, the MOD requires suppliers to have the capability to support the integration of hearing protection systems with a wide range of in-service and new-to-service radios and platforms. This includes the development and provision of ancillary equipment to enable seamless interoperability, ensuring personnel can effectively communicate and operate in complex and dynamic environments. Access to a broad supplier base will ensure the MOD can procure the most suitable and innovative solutions while maintaining flexibility and adaptability to meet future requirements. Personnel security vetted to SC are required to provide support which includes maintenance and support services. The Authority can only consider UK registered companies.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: Authority placed through ad-hoc tasking; generally increase of same scope outlined in the Statement of Work.

Renewal: Description of extenstions will be: 3 x 1 Year Options for the continuation of service. 1: 2030 - 2031 2: 2031 - 2032 3: 2032 - 2033 Taken up as per the Contract Terms and Conditons.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f6c5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083386-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

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

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

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

18444100 - Safety headgear

32570000 - Communications equipment

35711000 - Command, control, communication systems

35712000 - Tactical command, control and communication systems

50333000 - Maintenance services of radio-communications equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£50,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Dec 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
9 Feb 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2030 3-4 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
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contact Name
Emma Eddy
Contact Email
emma.eddy100@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

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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