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TacNet Design and Integration Partner

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

16 Sep 2026 at 12:09

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

20 Aug 2026 at 13:43

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

14 Apr 2026 at 16:08

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence procured continuation support and development for the Tactical Networks (TacNet) Dismounted Data System (DDS). The DDS provides tactical communications and situational awareness through new software and hardware, including the integration of sensors and effectors. Its purpose is to support 4 Light Brigade Combat Team and enable the capability to scale across Light Force Brigades. The requirement covers design and integration partner services, including continued development of the Dismounted Situational Awareness system and its use in delivering the DDS requirement. The main category is integrated engineering services (CPV 71340000). Delivery is across the United Kingdom, for the Ministry of Defence.

This is an awarded and completed procurement, with an active contract awarded to Rowden Technologies Ltd on 20 August 2026 and signed on 1 September 2026. The Ministry of Defence used a direct award procedure, relying on technical reasons, the absence of reasonable alternatives and defence and security grounds. The awarded value is £20,703,891 excluding VAT, or £24,844,669.20 including VAT. The contract runs from 1 September 2026 to 31 March 2028. It includes two possible six-month extensions, a six-month handover option and a not-to-exceed £5 million option for contract changes or additional tasks. There was one lot, identified as suitable for SMEs. The award followed earlier competition through the Digital Outcomes and Specialists 5 framework.

This requirement indicates demand for suppliers able to design, integrate and continuously develop defence tactical-network capabilities, rather than provide standalone software or hardware. Credible competitors would need substantial technical know-how and experience in Dismounted Situational Awareness or comparable tactical communications and situational-awareness systems, including integration of sensors and effectors. They would also need to manage software and hardware development, system operation and maintenance, and delivery of engineering outputs in a controlled defence environment. Relevant capability includes producing safety and environmental case reports, security aspects of design documents, engineering management plans and project management plans. Strong delivery governance is important, including progress reporting, requirements workshops, release planning and timely engineering outputs, alongside the ability to report on social value.

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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

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; no reasonable alternatives; and pursuant to paragraph 7 of 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 the 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 be delivered using a Direct Award contract.

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/087700-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details 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
£20,703,891 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
£20,703,891 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Aug 20262 months ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

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
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ROWDEN TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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