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Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Emergency Recovery System (ERS) - PMEN

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 Aug 2026 at 09:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence intends to procure an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Emergency Recovery System (ERS), combining unmanned underwater vehicle and marine equipment capabilities (CPV 35512400 and 34930000). The system is intended to provide a safer, more controlled way to recover AUVs during non-standard or emergency operations, reducing risks to personnel, the AUV and the host vessel. It must support an AUV up to 7 metres long and 3 tonnes, either independently or with existing vessel cranes. The solution should work across vessels with different deck layouts, freeboards and crane configurations, and in challenging maritime conditions. Delivery is expected in the United Kingdom. The requirement may include maintenance, support, operational training, certification, instructions and inspection information.

This procurement is at the planning and market-research stage; the Ministry of Defence has stated an intention to procure but has not issued an invitation to tender. The expected approach is a future contract notice, subject to funding and approvals, with delivery potentially within financial year 2026/2027. The buyer’s indicative date for a future notice is 31 October 2026. Suppliers wishing to express interest or raise clarification questions are asked to email the buyer by 18 September 2026, providing their organisation, point of contact and relevant capability information. The requirement is one planned lot, with an anticipated contract period from 1 February 2027 to 1 February 2029. The lot is marked as suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community or social enterprises.

This will suit suppliers designing, manufacturing or integrating maritime recovery equipment for unmanned underwater vehicles, particularly businesses able to support vehicles up to 7 metres and 3 tonnes across varied vessel and crane arrangements. Relevant strengths include mechanical handling, lifting and recovery systems, vessel integration, maritime engineering and operation in difficult sea conditions. The buyer is looking for equipment that is simple to rig, transportable, repeatedly usable and recoverable after failures affecting propulsion, communications, navigation or power. Suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate safe operation, reduced personnel exposure at the vessel edge, and protection of both the AUV and host vessel. Useful preparation includes evidence of certification, operating instructions, maintenance and inspection regimes, through-life support, training provision, innovation, vessel integration experience and realistic delivery lead times.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Emergency Recovery System (ERS) - PMEN

Notice Description

The intended procurement is for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Emergency Recovery System (ERS) to provide the Ministry of Defence with a safer, more controlled and lower-risk method of recovering AUVs during non-standard or emergency recovery operations. The system should be capable of supporting the recovery of an AUV up to 7 metres in length and up to 3 tonnes in weight, either independently or in conjunction with existing vessel crane arrangements. It should be compatible with a broad range of vessels including varying deck layouts, freeboards, crane configurations and operational constraints. The ERS is intended to reduce reliance on improvised recovery arrangements and improve operational resilience where the primary recovery system is unavailable or unsuitable. The system should reduce personnel exposure at the vessel edge, help mitigate the risk of person overboard incidents, and reduce the likelihood of damage to the AUV or host vessel. The Authority is also interested in solutions that are simple to rig, transportable, recoverable in challenging maritime conditions, and support emergency recovery scenarios where the AUV has suffered propulsion, communications, navigation or power-system failures. The ERS should be suitable for use in the maritime environment, capable of repeated operational use, and supplied with the necessary certification, operating instructions, maintenance information and inspection requirements to support safe use and through-life assurance. The Authority is also interested in any maintenance and support services, as well as options around operational training, where these are applicable. The Authority will be interested in average lead times from the point of order placement to delivery. The Authority is conducting market research to understand available recovery technologies, innovation potential, vessel integration considerations, certification requirements and value for money within the market. Subject to funding and approvals, the Authority may issue a contract notice for this requirement with delivery within financial year 2026/2027, subject to lead times. In issuing this Prior Procurement Notice (PPN) and engaging with the market, the MoD are not obligated to commit to carrying out any procurement in relation to the information stated in this PPN.

Planning Information

No supplier engagement events are currently planned as part of this market engagement activity. Suppliers wishing to express an interest in the requirement should do so by email to DESCommercial-SALMO@mod.gov.uk. Any clarification questions relating to this notice should also be submitted to DESCommercial-SALMO@mod.gov.uk. Responses should clearly identify the supplier organisation, point of contact, and any relevant information relating to the capability being proposed.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e632
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078382-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

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

CPV Codes

34930000 - Marine equipment

35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Oct 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 1 Feb 2029 2-3 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
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)

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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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