Award

Provision of Body Armour for the Ministry of Defence Police

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

30 Jan 2026 at 13:26

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has successfully completed a direct award contract for the provision of body armour specifically tailored for the Ministry of Defence Police Force. This awarded contract, concluded on 30th January 2026, is classified under the defence and security industry category and involves the supply of special clothing (CPV 18410000) within the United Kingdom. The contract, awarded to Safariland UK LTD, originates from a planned schedule running from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029. The procurement decision, governed by UK legislation, was made with consideration of unique technical requirements specified in their procurement method rationale. The total contract value stands at £2,042,455.13 (gross), with an intrinsic value of £1,702,045.94, making it a significant investment in defence goods. This procurement stage has transitioned to an award phase, detailing completion of a direct procurement process.

This contract represents a compelling opportunity for businesses involved in the manufacturing and supply of defence and security equipment, particularly those specialising in protective apparel. While this contract was directly awarded due to the specific technical and compatibility requirements that limited viable suppliers, other businesses in this sector can prepare to align their capabilities with such tenders by developing innovative, certified, highly technical solutions. SMEs, as indicated by the suitability classification, may take particular interest in optimising their offerings to meet stringent technical standards, thus positioning themselves for future opportunities where innovative solutions are necessary. Additionally, companies that can provide equivalent systems with compatibility to existing Defence frameworks may offer their services in advisory or expansion roles going forward.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Body Armour for the Ministry of Defence Police

Notice Description

Provision of Body Armour for the Ministry of Defence Police Force

Procurement Information

This is an equipment contract for the provision of body armour for Armed Firearms Officers (AFOs) within the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP). All serving MDP officers are capable of being armed and therefore it is a force wide requirement to issue body armour to all AFOs routinely. The contract will be awarded in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and the Procurement Regulations 2024. It is considered that this contract can be awarded by way of a Direct Award to Safariland UK Ltd in accordance with Section 41 and Schedule 5 - Single Supplier, paragraph 6 of the PA23 due to the unique technical reasons relating to this procurement. The MDP Body Armour requirement necessitates a solution that is certified to a minimum protection level of HO3. The holistic MDP Body Armour solution is currently certified to HO3 using the P44 & P07 lightweight plates made by Safariland UK Ltd, as well as hard plates, plate carriers and other ancillaries also manufactured by Safariland UK Ltd. Testing and certification of the body armour solution is completed as a whole system based on the above components. No other providers are known to offer plates compatible with the existing system that are also capable of maintaining the holistic systems certification to HO3 required, without also requiring the procurement of a whole new system of plates, carriers and ancillaries. Procurement of such a new system which result in unreasonable incurrence of otherwise avoidable additional costs and underutilisation of existing stocks of the certified solution carriers and ancilliaries.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061300
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008470-2026
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
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

CPV Codes

18410000 - Special clothing

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,702,045 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
30 Jan 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 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
David Rankin
Contact Email
david.rankin752@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 8EX
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

SAFARILAND

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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