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MBP Strategic Support and SDI Directorship

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

07 Jul 2026 at 12:06

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence, located in London, UK, has finalized a procurement process for a contract titled "MBP Strategic Support and SDI Directorship." This contract falls under the service industry category and involves strategic leadership and communication services. The procurement was at the award stage and was conducted through a direct award method without competition, citing reasons of extreme urgency and technical requirements unique to the current contractor's existing role and expertise. The contract, valued at £300,000 ex-VAT, will commence on 22nd July 2026 and end on 31st March 2027. It involves key stakeholders such as the Royal Navy and Lemon Tree Associates, an SME based in Fareham, UK, which has been awarded the contract to continue support for the Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network project.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for future collaborations in the defence sector, particularly for businesses with specialized capabilities in strategic programme leadership and technical consultancy services. Companies like Lemon Tree Associates, which have established expertise and an existing relationship with the Ministry of Defence, are well-suited for such contracts. The absence of competition in this direct award indicates that similar SMEs with unique technical skillsets and existing contractual relationships in defence can potentially explore growth by leveraging their specialised roles and technical offerings within large-scale governmental projects. Businesses aiming to expand in this field should focus on developing niche capabilities that address urgent and specialized requirements, thereby enhancing their suitability for direct awards or unique governmental contracts.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

MBP Strategic Support and SDI Directorship

Notice Description

Service for multiple requirements covering the span of MBP Strategic Support and SDI Directorship

Procurement Information

The Royal Navy, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to award a 9 month contract with a value of PS300,000 (Ex VAT) to Lemon Tree Associates for the specialist external support to provide a programme-level strategic leadership and strategic communications function As a covered procurement, this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023. It is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful in accordance with regulation 41 and paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023. This is because competition is absent for the following reasons: The MOD requires continued specialist programme leadership and governance capability in support of the Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network (AUWB MN), a NATO project for which the UK has formally agreed to act as Lead Nation. As Lead Nation, the UK is responsible for the necessary financial and commercial activities to deliver the project, including oversight, governance and successful delivery, and for ensuring NATO funding is used effectively. The contractor has led this requirement from the inception and has provided continuous technical and programme oversight. He is part of the Executive Authority for the contract with the Mangrove Consortium and plays a material role in ongoing contract management activities including NATO roles essential for delivery - NATO SDI Director (appointed by name by the UK via the Maritime Uncrewed Systems Steering Board - DI(STR MCC)(2020)0007 dated 7 Feb 2020) and Interim Chair, Joint Capability Group Maritime Uncrewed Systems (JCGMUS), endorsed by DD Underwater Battlespace Capability and ratified by partner nations pending UK nomination and NATO member nation ratification of a permanent chair. The Authority relies on Schedule 5 in combination of: 1. Paragraph 6 - Extreme an unavoidable urgency from events/circumstances that make the use of a competitive procedure impracticable within the required timeframe including urgent NATO programme commitments, in-flight governance and critical Phase 2 funding negotiations; and 2. Paragraph 8 - Absence of competition for technical reasons - the requirement is inseparable from an individual's named NATO appointment/ratification, established Executive Authority role, and continuity of accountable programme leadership. A competition would not deliver a viable alternative within the required timeframe. This direct award is sought to avoid an immediate and material risk to programme delivery and allied confidence. The requirement is time-critical because AUWB MN governance and Phase 2 funding negotiations are active now, and the Authority is managing ongoing obligations as Lead Nation. As a result, there is no other supplier that is able to meet the specific requirements and there are no reasonable alternatives to use of Lemon Tree Associates

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06c525
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063626-2026
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

71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£300,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
7 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
21 Jul 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
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2HB
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

LEMON TREE ASSOCIATES

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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