Planning

715794488 - PPA/017 - Naval Firefighting Helmet & Communication System

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

07 May 2026 at 15:14

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

17 Mar 2026 at 15:55

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process overseen by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), a central government authority located in Bristol, UK, focuses on acquiring a replacement Naval Firefighting Helmet and Communication System for Royal Navy vessels. This project, valued at £8.4 million gross, is categorized under goods, particularly targeting protective gear and communication systems. Currently in the planning stage, with the procurement process also in planning, DE&S invites interested suppliers to engage in a preliminary market engagement scheduled to conclude by 31 May 2026. The subsequent tendering phase, expected to commence on 30 August 2026, will be conducted through an open procedure as per the UK's Procurement Act 2023 guidelines. The contract period is planned from 1 December 2026 to 30 November 2033, potentially extending through November 2035.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in manufacturing protective and safety clothing, communication systems, and related integration technologies. SMEs with capabilities in producing portable radios, microphones, speaker sets, or command and communication equipment could greatly benefit. The involvement in this initiative allows businesses to contribute innovative solutions that meet the technical requirements of the Royal Navy, including seamless integration with existing protective and radio systems. While participation in the market engagement phase is voluntary and offers no competitive advantage, it grants companies an early insight into the project requirements, enabling them to better prepare and align their offerings for eventual bidding processes.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

715794488 - PPA/017 - Naval Firefighting Helmet & Communication System

Notice Description

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), Power, Propulsion and Auxiliaries (PPA), on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, is exploring options to procure a replacement Firefighting Helmet & Communication System (FFHCS) for use aboard Royal Navy vessels. The helmets are expected to integrate with existing personal protective equipment, radio systems, and ancillary equipment. PPA supports multiple defence areas by delivering and sustaining systems that generate energy, provide propulsion, and enable cross-cutting auxiliary functions aboard naval vessels, including domestic, fire and rescue, and catering systems.

Planning Information

Scope of the Engagement Suppliers are invited to participate in preliminary market engagement activities which may include: • Reviewing and providing feedback on a draft technical specification for firefighting helmets and integrated communication systems; • Commenting on technical feasibility, standards, interoperability, and integration with existing Royal Navy firefighting PPE and radio systems; and • Optionally offering sample helmets and communication components that may meet the draft requirement, to support the Authority’s understanding of available solutions. Any samples provided will be used solely to inform requirement development and will not be subject to formal evaluation or comparison. Conduct of the Engagement This engagement is conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and relevant MOD commercial policy. It is not a call for competition. Participation is voluntary and will not provide any supplier with an advantage in any subsequent procurement. The Authority will take appropriate steps to ensure that competition is not distorted. Supplier feedback may be used to refine the Authority’s requirement and procurement strategy. Where information is shared more widely, it will be summarised and anonymised to protect commercial sensitivities. No Commitment The Authority is not obliged to proceed with a procurement following this engagement. Any future opportunity will be advertised separately. Any costs incurred by suppliers in participating in this engagement, including the provision of samples, are incurred at the supplier’s own risk. Suppliers wishing to participate in this preliminary market engagement should engage as follows: • Register interest by responding to this notice in accordance with the instructions set out below. • Review the draft specification provided by the Authority and submit written feedback, comments, or observations by the stated deadline. • Clearly identify any assumptions, constraints, or dependencies associated with their feedback, including standards, certifications, or interoperability considerations. • Optionally, offer sample helmets and associated communication components that may meet the draft requirement. Any samples offered must be clearly described and provided on a no commitment basis. • Submit all responses and supporting information in writing via the method specified in this notice. Informal approaches outside this process will not be considered. Participation Please review the draft cardinal specification sheet and complete the questionnaire. Both documents are available on the Defence Sourcing Portal here: https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=61039 Once complete, please return the questionnaire to DESCommercial-PPA@mod.gov.uk, ensuring you include PPA/017 in the subject line. If you have indicated you wish to offer samples, an MOD representative will be in contact to confirm delivery arrangements.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066c9e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042113-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open 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

CPV Codes

18143000 - Protective gear

32342300 - Microphones and speaker sets

32344280 - Portable radios

35113400 - Protective and safety clothing

35711000 - Command, control, communication systems

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 May 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Aug 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 30 Nov 2033 Over 5 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
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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