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Fibre Optic Compass System (FOCS) In-Service Support Contract-UK5

Defence Equipment and Support

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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25 Aug 2026 at 15:37

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Defence Equipment and Support is procuring continued in-service support for the Fibre Optic Compass (FOC) System, a navigation system providing precise directional and heading data. The equipment is fitted to Type 23 frigates, single-role minehunters, Vanguard-class submarines and RFA Fort Victoria, including the Royal Navy’s continuous-at-sea deterrent boats. The requirement covers the specialist support needed to maintain, repair, modify and assure the system’s safe operation on Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary platforms. This is a defence support service combining navigation equipment expertise with repair and maintenance services for warships. The work supports platform navigation and deployment, where reliable compass data is critical to safe operation and defence capability. The buying organisation is based at MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol.

The procurement is complete and the outcome is a direct award to Lockheed Martin UK Limited, selected on 25 August 2026. The single lot is complete and the award is pending. The awarded value is £5.7 million excluding VAT, or £6.8 million including VAT. The contract period runs from 1 April 2027 to 31 December 2035, with three option years for extension. A signature milestone is scheduled for 1 March 2027. The authority used a direct award because competition is absent for technical reasons: Lockheed Martin is the system design authority and holds the specialist knowledge, equipment, configuration information, tooling, software ownership, integration knowledge and safety assurance evidence required. The award is above the relevant threshold and falls under the defence and security regime.

This procurement demonstrates a sustained requirement for highly specialised naval navigation-system support within central government defence. A credible future competitor would need deep technical knowledge of the Fibre Optic Compass System, including its design, configuration, software, integration and safety assurance arrangements. It would also need specialist equipment and tooling, and the capability to maintain, repair, modify and assure equipment installed across frigates, minehunters, submarines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels. Experience supporting safety-critical maritime systems and understanding the operational demands of Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary platforms would be important. The direct-award rationale shows that access to proprietary technical information and recognised design-authority capability are decisive barriers. Although the lot was identified as suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, the requirement is technically specialised and defence-focused.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Fibre Optic Compass System (FOCS) In-Service Support Contract-UK5

Notice Description

The requirement is for the continued in-service support of the Fibre Optic Compass (FOC) System. The FOC system is currently, fitted to Type 23 Frigates, Single Role Minehunter, Vanguard Class Submarines and RFA Fort Victoria. A new contract is required to support the equipment on these platforms which have varying out of service dates within the contract period. The FOC System is critical for platform navigation and deployment. The role of the FOC System is to provide precise, reliable directional and heading data navigation on Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Platforms.

Procurement Information

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (the "Authority") intends to place a contract for the continued in-service support of the Fibre Optic Compass (FOC) System, (currently delivered through contract CSA/3046), from April 2027 with Lockheed Martin UK (the "Company"). The FOC system is currently, fitted to Type 23 Frigates, Single Role Minehunter, Vanguard Class Submarines and RFA Fort Victoria. A new contract is required to support the equipment on these platforms which have varying out of service dates within the contract period. Without a support contract, the serviceability of the navigational system which is needed for the safe navigation of the platforms cannot be guaranteed. The FOC System is critical for platform navigation and deployment and is used onboard our Continuous At Sea Deterrent Boats (CASD). The role of the FOC System is to provide precise, reliable directional and heading data navigation on Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary Platforms. The Safe Navigation capability on these platforms is a critical component of a ship's ability to operate and fight, hence any failure or degradation of these systems will place significant risk and ability to fulfil the Authority's required defence outcomes in accordance with the Authority's Defence Strategy and RN Command Plan. The planned contract term is from 1 April 2027 to 31 December 2035 (8 years and 9 months). The total value of this renewed period is estimated to be up to PS10M. The Authority has determined that this contract may be awarded under Section 41 and paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 because as the system design authority only Lockheed Martin UK possesses the technical knowledge, specialist equipment, configuration information, and design expertise necessary to provide support to the Fibre Optic Compass System fitted to Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels. No alternative supplier has access to the information, tooling, and system knowledge required to safely maintain, repair, modify, and assure the continued operation of the equipment. Competition is therefore absent for technical reasons. The Authority has identified no alternative supplier possessing the proprietary technical information, approved design authority status, software ownership, system integration knowledge and safety assurance evidence necessary to assume responsibility for the FOC system. Lockheed Martin UK Ltd alone has at its disposal the specialist knowledge and equipment to meet the Authority's technical requirements under the contract.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ebc3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080932-2026
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

50 - Repair and maintenance services

CPV Codes

34933000 - Navigation equipment

50640000 - Repair and maintenance services of warships

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£5,700,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Aug 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
25 Aug 2026Yesterday
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 31 Dec 2035 Over 5 years
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
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Lockheed Martin UK Limited

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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