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715733472 Thermal Clip-On System (TCOS) UK 5

Defence Equipment and Support

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

27 Mar 2026 at 16:26

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

04 Mar 2026 at 13:54

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

23 Jan 2026 at 12:38

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Defence Equipment and Support, based in Bristol, United Kingdom, is a central government public authority overseeing the procurement process for the project titled "Thermal Clip-On System (TCOS) UK 5." This contract is part of the defence and security industry category, specifically involving telescopic sights. The procurement method is a direct award due to technical reasons, allowing the Ministry of Defence to contract Thermoteknix Systems Limited, an OEM and design authority for TCOS. The procurement stage has reached completion, with the latest contract signed on 24th March 2026, having a duration of one year, and valued at up to £4.5 million excluding VAT. The award process started in January 2026, focusing on goods delivery across the UK.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies in the defence tech sector with expertise in thermal imaging technologies. Thermoteknix Systems Limited, a small to medium-sized enterprise based in Cambridge, is currently the sole supplier due to its specialised technical knowledge and proprietary access needed to deliver the goods and services effectively. Businesses with similar technical capabilities or looking to expand in high-tech defence applications may benefit from sub-contracting opportunities with Thermoteknix for parts and technology supporting the TCOS equipment. The demand for skilled technical support and ancillary services offers a niche space for businesses aiming to engage in specialised defence equipment supply chains.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

715733472 Thermal Clip-On System (TCOS) UK 5

Notice Description

The Ministry of Defence intends to award a Combined Support Contract to Thermoteknix Systems Limited for: i) the additional supply of the in-service Thermal Clip-On Systems ("TCOS") and supporting ancillaries; and ii) the repair and maintenance of these capabilities. The contract will be for a period of 1 year and have a potential value of up to PS4.5M (excluding VAT).

Procurement Information

Single supplier - technical reasons The Ministry of Defence intends to award a Combined Support Contract to Thermoteknix Systems Limited for: i) the additional supply of the in-service Thermal Clip-On Systems ("TCOS") and supporting ancillaries; and ii) the repair and maintenance of these capabilities. The contract will be for a period of 1 year and have a potential value of up to PS4.5M (excluding VAT). It is considered that this contract can be awarded under section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 relying on the direct award justification specified in para 6 of Schedule 5 (single supplier - technical grounds). It is considered that a Direct Award is permissible under the Act on the basis that, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only Thermoteknix Systems Ltd can deliver the goods and services in accordance with the Army's Land Fleet Requirements and there are no alternatives to those goods, services or works. Thermoteknix Systems Ltd is the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) of the current in-service TCOS and supporting ancillaries, [including providing repair, technical support, and configuration management services for these capabilities]. Only Thermoteknix Systems Ltd has the necessary technical data, knowledge, and expertise, including access to proprietary, to deliver this requirement. Their continued technical expertise, technical data, and knowledge is necessary to ensure that the TCOS remain fully operational, compliant and interoperable with existing in-service MOD platforms and weapons. Incompatibility between the TCOS and existing systems would require re-testing, and new verification and validation to ensure safety and suitability for service, operational performance and effectiveness, and interoperability. Introducing new items would result in disproportionate cost, time and difficulties. For technical reasons, therefore, only Thermoteknix can supply these goods and ancillary services, and there are no reasonable alternative goods or services to deliver this requirement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060d4c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028731-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38633000 - Telescopic sights

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£4,500,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
£4,500,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Mar 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Mar 20267 months ago
Contract Period
24 Mar 2026 - 23 Mar 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

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
Postcode Area
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

THERMOTEKNIX SYSTEMS LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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