Award

FMDG Persistent Oceanographic Data Collect

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

03 Feb 2026 at 23:45

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

22 Dec 2025 at 12:20

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence in the UK, acting as the buyer, has completed the procurement process titled "FMDG Persistent Oceanographic Data Collect," specifically within the defence and security industry. This procurement involves the direct award of a contract to Teledyne Instruments Inc. to supply up to 15 gliders and supporting systems. The contract, valued at up to £12,000,000, is set to commence on 1st March 2026 and conclude by 31st March 2028, with potential for extension. This process falls under the direct procurement method due to technical considerations, ensuring compatibility with existing systems. The procurement is aligned with UK legal standards under the Procurement Act 2023 and holds a strategic location for delivery within the UK.

This procurement presents a valuable opportunity for businesses involved in the production and support of sophisticated oceanographic equipment, primarily those with capabilities in producing gliders and related technologies. Such businesses, especially those that can offer specialised, compatible goods and services ensuring seamless operational integration with existing military equipment, would find this contract advantageous for growth. Engaging suppliers in this process highlights the critical need for highly specialised products, tailored for defence-related applications, offering potential for further collaboration and expansion within this niche market.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

FMDG Persistent Oceanographic Data Collect

Notice Description

The Royal Navy intends to award a 2-year contract to Teledyne Instruments Inc. d/b/a Teledyne Webb Research for up to 15 gliders and supporting systems.

Procurement Information

The Royal Navy intends to award a 2-year contract to Teledyne Instruments Inc. d/b/a Teledyne Webb Research for up to 15 gliders and supporting systems. This approach is lawful under Schedule 5, paragraphs 6 and 7 of the Procurement Act 2023, as competition is absent for technical reasons and a change in supplier would result in incompatibility and disproportionate technical difficulties. Compatibility Context: Teledyne is the original equipment manufacturer and sole holder of proprietary design and integration protocols for the Royal Navy's existing glider fleet (nine Teledyne Slocum Gliders). These gliders are integrated into MOD's underwater battlespace architecture, including command-and-control systems and secure data exchange with strategic partners. Disproportionate Technical Difficulties: * Interoperability: Alternative gliders may fail to meet NATO-standard interoperability and encryption requirements, creating vulnerabilities in classified mission data exchange. * Safety Risks. Currently only Teledyne Gliders have a safety Case for Royal Navy Operations. New gliders will require new safety policy and permissions. * Operational Delays: Integration with existing systems would require extensive re-engineering and validation, delaying capability potentially up to 12-18 months. * Cost Impact: Additional costs for bespoke middleware, retraining, support, and duplicating spares inventory would exceed the contract value. Note: RN has a funded two year sole Teledyne Glider Support Contract. A different glider contract will require additional funds for support and interoperability provision. Not scoped currently. * Mission Continuity: Introducing a second platform would double logistic complexity and increase failure points during deployments. These difficulties are disproportionate because they would compromise safety, delay delivery, and impose costs far beyond the contract value, with no operational benefit. Teledyne remains the only supplier able to guarantee seamless interoperability, security compliance, and mission readiness into the Current RN Glider Fleet.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05fb72
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009716-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award 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

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

CPV Codes

34721000 - Gliders

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Feb 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
22 Dec 20252 months ago
Contract Period
1 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
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
lee.culshaw100@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
PORTSMOUTH
Postcode
PO2 8BY
Post Town
Portsmouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ31 Portsmouth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Portsmouth
Electoral Ward
Nelson
Westminster Constituency
Portsmouth North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

TELEDYNE INSTRUMENTS INC. D/B/A TELEDYNE WEBB RESEARCH

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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