Award

TacNet Design and Integration Partner

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

14 Apr 2026 at 15:08

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract under the "TacNet Design and Integration Partner" procurement process, focusing on supporting and developing Tactical Networks for enhanced tactical communications and situational awareness. This process falls within the defence and security sector. Rowden Technologies, situated in Bristol, has been selected as the supplier due to their technical expertise and previous successful collaborations with the MOD. The procurement stage is at the award phase, scheduled to commence on 1st September 2026 and conclude on 31st March 2027, with the option to extend for an additional year. This direct award follows Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 due to technical imperatives and the lack of reasonable alternatives, ensuring continued development without disruption.

This contract presents significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in integrated engineering services, software and hardware development, particularly those able to support military and defence capabilities. SMEs in the technology and defence sector with expertise in tactical networks and situational awareness systems would be well-suited to engage with similar procurement opportunities. Given the contract's nature and the potential for extensions, businesses capable of innovating and integrating new technologies in defence are poised to benefit from establishing long-term relationships with the Ministry of Defence, enhancing their market reputation and operational capability in this specialised industry.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

TacNet Design and Integration Partner

Notice Description

This procurement is for the continuation of support services and development to the Tactical Networks (TacNet) Dismounted Data System (DDS). The DDS capability is described as providing tactical communications and situational awareness. It is developed through new software and hardware, including the integration of sensors and effectors that are pivotal to support 4 Light Brigade Combat Team (4LBCT) in its ability to double and triple the Brigades lethality by the end of the decade. The DDS is also selected as the capability of choice to meet the requirements for continuous spiral development and scaling to all Light Force Brigades.

Procurement Information

The TacSys Service Executive (SE) within Defence Digital (DD), part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), intends to place with Rowden Technologies a 7-month contract for the TacNet Design and Integration Partner. It is considered that this contract can be placed using a Direct Award Procedure pursuant to Schedule 5, Paragraph 6 of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) due to technical reasons and no reasonable alternatives. In addition, pursuant to paragraph 7 PA23. Following the competitive procedure through the Digital Outcomes and Specialists 5 (DOS 5) framework, the MOD awarded initial Design and Integration Partner (DIP) 2-year contract to Rowden Technologies in July 2021. The scope of the contract was to deliver a DSA system design, which would be used by the MOD to carry out an Assessment Phase competition and to supply the Dismounted Situational Awareness (DSA) system at scale. This design was delivered and has been extensively used and further developed by the MOD. Further short-term contracts were placed with Rowden in November 2024 and September 2025 for the continuation of the capability. As the initial design is constantly being used to deliver DDS requirement, a new short-term contract is required prior to planned competition for a longer-term contract. Rowden were responsible for the development and delivery of the DSA system design and are currently the only company who have the requisite technical knowhow, expertise and experience to carry out the activities required for the DDS. A change of supplier at this time would introduce disproportionate technical difficulties in both the operation and maintenance of the DDS system, resulting in a loss of capability. Due to the above reasons the requirement will continue as a single source requirement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06824d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033905-2026
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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71340000 - Integrated engineering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£15,400,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
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
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
FILTON
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

ROWDEN TECHNOLOGIES

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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