Planning

715838592 - Internal Communications System (ICS) - Technical Refresh (TS) - RFI

SUBMARINE DELIVERY AGENCY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

20 Apr 2026 at 09:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

17 Apr 2026 at 09:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Submarine Delivery Agency, located in Bristol, UK, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Internal Communications System (ICS) - Technical Refresh (TS) - RFI." This initiative focuses on modernising the existing communication systems within submarines, transitioning from Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology. Classified under the communications network category, the procurement is set to follow a Request for Information (RFI) method, with a significant gross value of £120,000,000. Responses to the RFI are due by 12th June 2026, with the procurement cycle expected to commence in April 2027 and potentially extend to March 2034.

This contract presents excellent growth opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in communications technology and engineering services. Companies equipped with expertise in complex, digital communication systems and those involved in the transitioning of analogue networks to digital protocols would find this tender particularly aligned with their capabilities. Furthermore, the procurement process allows for participation by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling a wider range of businesses to compete and innovate in the development and support of sophisticated submarine communication technologies.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

715838592 - Internal Communications System (ICS) - Technical Refresh (TS) - RFI

Notice Description

This in-service support is currently achieved via a sole source contract with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) including a contractual arrangement for the management of the Shore Reference Sets (SRS) associated with the ICS. ICS provides a digital and analogue voice message exchange architecture that supports voice communications over digital and wireless networks and analogue circuits. The system also includes a telephone exchange, secondary, emergency damage control (DC) communication systems, submarine broadcast and general alarm functions. A-Class ICS employs a wholly, complex, 3-node communication architecture that employs digital switch and network technologies within a multi-layer software model. It supports essential communications between the submarine crew for operational and safety critical functions on-board. The existing system in place is based on Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and will need to move to the modern Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology to allow long term support. ICS is a complex system with many interfaces and nodes to allow personnel the opportunity to communicate throughout the platform. This complexity is not always understood by Ship Staff so it is essential to have engineering backup available via Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (SQEP) ICS engineers provisioned for via a support contract. Astute ICS is a Priority 1 Master Equipment (ME) and is vital to delivering platform capability. The software will need to be a SIL2 (Safety Integrity Level) system and integral to the whole boat safety case.

Planning Information

This Request for Information (RFI) will be advertised on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) and Find a Tender Service (FTS) and issued to all who request an RFI together with other companies whom the SDA believes may be able to provide useful intelligence on this requirement. Responses to this RFI will be reviewed by subject matter experts from different functional areas within the SDA. Following receipt of responses to this RFI the Authority may initiate follow on engagement with either individual potential suppliers, groups of potential suppliers or all potential suppliers. This may be undertaken in writing or through virtual meetings. Any details provided in response to this RFI or during subsequent engagement will be used for information purposes only and will not be used to determine the potential suppliers who will be invited to bid, should the Authority proceed to tender. The results and analysis of this RFI shall not constitute any form of pre-qualification exercise. Any formal procurement process will be undertaken in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Nothing in this RFI, or any other engagements with Industry prior to a formal procurement process, shall be construed as a representation as to the Authority’s ultimate decision in relation to the future requirement.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0684d9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035464-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

CPV Codes

32412000 - Communications network

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£100,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Oct 20266 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SUBMARINE DELIVERY AGENCY
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)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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