Planning

RFI - Ground Based Radar Testing UK2

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

05 Jun 2026 at 15:17

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

05 Jun 2026 at 15:15

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is currently in the planning stage for the procurement process titled "RFI - Ground Based Radar Testing UK2." This tender falls under the goods category with a focus on radar technology. It is located in Henlow, United Kingdom, and is part of a wider engagement and information-gathering strategy spearheaded by the Air Defence & Maritime Radar (AD&MR) Delivery Team. As part of this preliminary stage, interested parties are invited to respond to the Request For Information (RFI) by 18th August 2026. The process is designed to inform future procurement strategies, with subsequent contract periods envisaged from 1st September 2027 to 3rd March 2029.

This tender offers significant opportunities for growth within the radar technology industry, particularly for businesses specialising in scientific and engineering applications of Air Defence systems. SMEs are encouraged to participate, as the MOD is seeking innovative solutions to enhance the accuracy and detection capabilities of ground-based radar systems. Engaging with this RFI allows companies to influence the procurement strategy, budget considerations, and intellectual property management. It's a beneficial chance for businesses looking to establish themselves as key suppliers to the UK's central government, providing scope for long-term collaborations and innovative advancements in radar technology.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

RFI - Ground Based Radar Testing UK2

Notice Description

The Air Defence & Maritime Radar (AD&MR) Delivery Team, part of the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, is issuing a Request For Information (RFI) to help inform the Authority's strategy for this requirement and is NOT part of any procurement procedure. The method used by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to evaluate the detection and accuracy of Air Defence (AD) Radars is through flight checking. A ground-based alternative is being considered to replicate the flight check and improve scientific and engineering rigour around the results obtained. Industry's responses to this RFI will be used to inform a number of elements in the procurement strategy, such as the Commercial Model, requirement writing and setting, budget and the IP strategy. Should the Authority wish to seek clarification or ask questions in relation to a RFI response, suppliers will be contacted on an individual, case by case basis. The Authority reserves the right to supplement and adjust the prior engagement process to ensure that it meets the Authority's needs. If the Authority makes changes to the engagement process, it will do so in a transparent manner to ensure that all suppliers who have expressed an interest are treated equally. Any participation in this market engagement phase and any response to this RFI is entirely at the participant's cost and risk. The MOD is under no obligation to proceed with a formal procurement or in any other way proceed with the procurement.

Planning Information

Engagement will take the form of responses to the questions in the RFI document, available online on the Defence Sourcing Portal at: https://contracts.mod.uk/ The deadline for RFI responses and Clarification Questions is 17:00 on 18th August 2026. RFI submissions and Clarification Questions must be sent via email to the AD&MR DT Commercial Officer at: lewis.harvey-samuel100@mod.gov.uk Should the Authority wish to seek clarification or ask questions in relation to a RFI response, suppliers will be contacted on an individual, case by case basis. The Authority reserves the right to supplement and adjust the prior engagement process to ensure that it meets the Authority's needs. If the Authority makes changes to the engagement process, it will do so in a transparent manner to ensure that all suppliers who have expressed an interest are treated equally.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06af19
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/053502-2026
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

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

CPV Codes

35722000 - Radar

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Aug 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2027 - 3 Mar 2029 1-2 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
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
HENLOW
Postcode
SG16 6DN
Post Town
Stevenage
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH25 Central Bedfordshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Central Bedfordshire
Electoral Ward
Clifton, Henlow & Langford
Westminster Constituency
Hitchin

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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