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Royal Navy Maritime Autonomous Systems Platform Authority Industry Engagement

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Aug 2026 at 10:35

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is exploring a maritime uncrewed systems Platform Authority for the Royal Navy. The intended service would provide governance, engineering expertise, certification support and through-life assurance for the safe and effective operation of current and future maritime autonomous capabilities. The scope covers unmanned underwater vehicles and related engineering services. Work would support Royal Navy capabilities, with the buying organisation based in Portsmouth. This is a professional services requirement rather than a purchase of autonomous vehicles alone: the Authority is expected to help establish the arrangements, technical assurance and support needed to operate these systems safely throughout their service life.

This procurement is at the planning stage and records industry engagement rather than an invitation to tender. The Ministry of Defence is seeking market input on the proposed Platform Authority. An engagement activity is scheduled to conclude on 19 August 2026, with a subsequent notice expected on 20 August 2026. The planned contract period is 1 September 2026 to 2 September 2026, although these dates relate to the planning information currently published. There is one planned lot, suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises. The procurement is below the relevant threshold. The engagement is intended to inform the future requirement before a competitive process is established.

This will suit organisations able to combine maritime autonomous systems knowledge with governance, systems engineering, certification support and long-term assurance. Relevant suppliers are likely to include engineering consultancies, specialist defence and naval technology businesses, assurance and certification organisations, and capable SMEs or collaborative teams with experience of uncrewed underwater vehicles. Strong candidates should be able to advise on the safe operation of both current and future systems, translate technical evidence into governance arrangements, and support assurance across the capability lifecycle. Businesses with experience working in regulated, safety-critical or defence environments should use the engagement stage to explain their delivery models, technical expertise and potential contribution to a Platform Authority.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Royal Navy Maritime Autonomous Systems Platform Authority Industry Engagement

Notice Description

The Authority is seeking industry input on the establishment of a Platform Authority for Maritime Uncrewed Systems, capable of providing the governance, engineering expertise, certification support and through-life assurance necessary to enable the safe and effective operation of current and future capabilities.

Planning Information

For full details of the RFI and to complete the engagement form, please see link below: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/84864661-b60c-4dec-a82c-c955f6946033

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dc08
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074032-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles

71300000 - Engineering services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Aug 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 2 Sep 2026 30 days
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
PORTSMOUTH
Postcode
PO2 8BY
Postcode Area
Portsmouth
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ31 Portsmouth
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Portsmouth
Electoral Ward
Nelson
Westminster Constituency
Portsmouth North

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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