Notice Information
Notice Title
715794488 - PPA/017 - Naval Firefighting Helmet & Communication System
Notice Description
National Armaments Director Group, Power, Propulsion and Auxiliaries (PPA), on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, is procuring a replacement Firefighting Helmet & Communication System (FFHCS) for use aboard Royal Navy vessels. The helmets are 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. The requirement is for a commercially available firefighting helmet incorporating an integrated communications system comprising a bone-conducting microphone, speaker(s) and push-to-talk functionality, compatible with in-service Motorola R7Ex radios and existing firefighting personal protective equipment. The current firefighting helmet and communication configuration is obsolete. The requirement is intended to provide a replacement system that supports firefighting, search and rescue, incident command and associated training activities aboard Royal Navy vessels. The required solution must be commercially available off the shelf and comprise a firefighting helmet incorporating an integrated communication system. The communication system must include: - a bone-conducting microphone; - speaker or speakers; - a wired push-to-talk unit; and - full compatibility with the in-service Motorola R7Ex series radios. The Motorola R7Ex radio will be sourced separately by the Authority and is not included within the scope of this contract. The FFHCS must integrate with existing Royal Navy firefighting personal protective equipment and ancillary equipment, including extended duration breathing apparatus, firefighting hoods and firefighting protective clothing. The solution must be adjustable for the required range of users and must not adversely affect the fit or operation of other firefighting equipment. The solution must meet the mandatory requirements set out in the Cardinal Specification. These include requirements relating to: - commercial availability and delivery; - continued product availability; - Marine Equipment Regulations approval; - physical and thermal protection; - compatibility with existing firefighting personal protective equipment; - user fit and adjustment; - durability, maintenance and service life; - intrinsically safe and ATEX-rated components; - visor protection; - communication-system compatibility; - effective speech transmission during firefighting activities; and - controls that can be operated single-handedly while wearing full firefighting personal protective equipment. Applicable technical standards and requirements include: - BS EN 443:2008; - BS EN 14458:2018; - the Marine Equipment Regulations; and - applicable ATEX requirements. Tenderers must provide the certification, compatibility information, product information, test evidence and performance data required by the Tender documents. The contract will cover the supply, packaging and delivery of the complete FFHCS, together with the related technical, maintenance, cleaning, repair, product-life and NATO codification information specified in the contract. The Authority intends to award a single contract through an open procedure in accordance with section 20 of the Procurement Act 2023. The requirement is considered a defence and security contract. The relevant provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 relating to defence and security contracts will apply. The Cyber Risk Profile for this requirement is Level 0 (Basic). Tenderers will be required to complete the Supplier Assurance Questionnaire through the Supplier Cyber Protection Service and provide a Cyber Improvement Plan where applicable.
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/096315-2026
- Current Stage
- Tender
- All Stages
- Planning, Tender
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- UK4 - Tender 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
-
- CPV Codes
18143000 - Protective gear
32342300 - Microphones and speaker sets
35113400 - Protective and safety clothing
35711000 - Command, control, communication systems
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- £533,333 £500K-£1M
- Lots Value
- £533,333 £500K-£1M
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 12 Oct 2026Today
- Submission Deadline
- 6 Nov 20264 weeks to go
- Future Notice Date
- 30 Aug 2026Expired
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 30 Nov 2026 - 16 May 2027 1-6 months
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Active
- Lots Status
- Active
- 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
- 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
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/096315-2026
12th October 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042113-2026
7th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024222-2026
17th March 2026 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
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.