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Provision and Support of a Mobile Test Facility (MTF)

Defence Equipment and Support

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

12 Aug 2026 at 11:41

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Planning

05 Aug 2026 at 12:25

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Defence Equipment and Support intends to procure a mobile test facility for the UK. The requirement is a vehicle purchase and conversion into a communications test and assurance facility supporting Tactical Data Links fitted to maritime and air platforms. The vehicle will include three modern workstations, Link 22 high-frequency and ultra-high-frequency capability, satellite communications and Link 16 capability. It will use Battlefield Operations Support System software as a test tool, support concurrent testing and operate throughout the UK. The service will support the Royal Navy Command Acquisition Support Programme’s mandatory test and assurance activities, including operational defect rectification and the baselining of emerging Tactical Data Link technologies. The procurement is categorised as services, covering communications system maintenance and support.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the buyer has announced its intention to procure, but has not issued an invitation to tender. It is planned as a selective, above-threshold defence and security procurement using a competitive flexible procedure. The buyer expects to publish the next notice by 26 October 2026, receive expressions of interest by 11 November 2026 at noon, and complete award decisions by 26 February 2027. The anticipated contract period is 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2032, with three one-year options for continued support, allowing extension to 30 April 2035. The estimated value is £4 million excluding VAT, or £4.8 million including VAT. The procurement is one lot and electronic tenders are expected through the Defence Sourcing Portal.

The requirement is likely to suit small and medium-sized enterprises as well as established defence technology and support suppliers. Relevant businesses will need capability in integrating and supporting mobile or vehicle-based test facilities, tactical data links and secure communications across maritime and air platforms. Experience with Link 16, Link 22, high-frequency and ultra-high-frequency systems, satellite communications, modern workstation fit-outs and concurrent testing would be well aligned. The work also suits organisations able to deliver structured test, assurance and operational defect rectification services across the UK. Familiarity with Battlefield Operations Support System software, emerging Tactical Data Link technologies and the Royal Navy’s assurance environment would help suppliers prepare. Businesses should monitor the planned procurement and consider their technical, delivery and support capacity before the competitive process begins.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision and Support of a Mobile Test Facility (MTF)

Notice Description

Opportunity Listing: https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=61369 The MTF project includes the purchase and outfit of a vehicle that shall be converted to a mobile test facility that allows Tactical Data Links (TDL) to be fitted to Maritime and Air platforms. The vehicle shall be fitted with 3 modern workstations, Link 22 HF and UHF, Satellite and Link 16 capabilities. The vehicle will employ BOSS (Battlefield Operations Support System) Software as a test tool that enables the team to conduct test and assurance activities. The vehicle is capable of concurrent testing and shall be capable of operating throughout the UK. Test and assurance is a mandatory requirement set by the Royal Navy Command Acquisition Support Programme and is therefore essential to provide the ability to maintain test and assurance to all TDL fitted platforms in the UK. The vehicle is also utilised for Operational Defect rectification and to baseline emerging TDL technologies.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: 3x1 year options for continuation of support

Renewal: Continuation of support via options

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dc4a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076652-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

50334400 - Communications system maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
26 Oct 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 May 2027 - 30 Apr 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
2031-04-01

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Defence Equipment and Support
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

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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