Award

ASE Aircrew Eyewear

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Mar 2026 at 14:24

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for "ASE Aircrew Eyewear" is led by Defence Equipment and Support, located at MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol. This process involves a direct award contract valued at £1,200,000 to ASE Corporate Eyecare, for the provision of aircrew refractive vision correction products and associated ophthalmic services. The procurement is classified under defence and security, leveraging the Procurement Act 2023 due to the absence of competition for technical reasons. The contract covers services starting on 27 March 2026 and ending on 27 March 2027, with the necessary approvals only held by ASE to supply the Swiss Flex Classic eyewear, essential to a safety-critical defence capability. The award stage is pending, with a prescribed due date of 27 March 2026 for contract signature.

This tender offers opportunities for business growth particularly for enterprises with expertise or interest in defence sector-specific eyewear and ophthalmic services, especially those that can collaborate on securing high-performance and technically integrated service equipment solutions like Swiss Flex Classic spectacles and contact lenses. Businesses with technical capabilities or intellectual property rights in similar niche markets could be ideally positioned to pursue future opportunities within the Ministry of Defence framework, especially given the emphasis on bespoke, technically approved solutions that enhance operational capabilities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

ASE Aircrew Eyewear

Notice Description

The continued provision of aircrew refractive vision correction products and associated ophthalmic services.

Procurement Information

The Air Enablers Delivery Team (AEDT) within Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), part of the UK Ministry of Defence, (the "Authority") intends to award an extension contract to ASE Corporate Eyecare ) Limited ("ASE") for the continued provision of aircrew refractive vision correction products and associated ophthalmic services. The proposed contract has an estimated value of PS1,2000,000 (one million two hundred thousand pounds) (inclusive of VAT) and a duration of approximately 12 (twelve) months (to expire no later than 31 March 2027). This procurement falls to be governed by the Procurement Act 2023 (the "PA 2023") Chapter 3, Section 41: Direct Award in Special Cases. It is considered that direct award of the proposed contract is lawful in accordance with the PA 2023 Schedule 5 paragraph 6(a)(b) which relates to an absence of competition for technical reasons for the following reasons. There is an absence of competition for technical reasons as no other supplier (other than ASE) is able to supply the required aircrew refractive vision correction products and associated ophthalmic services. The requirement includes the supply of Swiss Flex Classic spectacles and contact lenses together with clinical fitting, adjustment and aftercare services. These goods and services form an integrated, in-service solution supporting a safety-critical defence capability. Swissflex Classic, has been cleared for use on all airborne platforms and is the only frame cleared for use by Aircrew due to its unique click in-connection. The Swiss Flex eyewear system is a proprietary solution that has been rigorously assessed, certified and cleared within the Military Air Environment (MAE). It is technically integrated with other in-service equipment, including aircrew helmets, visors and life-support systems, and is the only eyewear solution currently approved for use by Fast Jet, Rotary Wing and Multi Engine aircrew. service equipment, including aircrew helmets, visors and life support systems ASE is the only supplier who holds the necessary rights and technical capability to supply compatible replacement items and ongoing clinical support for the required Swiss Flex Classic spectacle's and contact lenses.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066668
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021367-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85160000 - Optician services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£937,579 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Mar 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Mar 20264 days ago
Contract Period
27 Mar 2026 - 27 Mar 2027 1-2 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
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
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

ASE CORPORATE EYECARE

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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