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SafetyNet II

Maritime & Coastguard Agency

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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28 Aug 2026 at 10:00

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency procured the SafetyNET II maritime telecommunications service. The service disseminates Maritime Safety Information, including navigational and meteorological warnings and forecasts, through a Recognised Mobile Satellite Service. It uses the International Enhanced Group Call service to reach vessels operating in Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Sea Area A3. The requirement supports the UK’s obligations under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and the agency’s responsibility as NAVAREA I and METAREA I Coordinator for internationally coordinated maritime safety information. The buying organisation is the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, based in Southampton. This is a specialist satellite communications service supporting maritime safety and emergency communications.

The procurement has been awarded and the tender is recorded as complete. It was a single-lot direct award to INMARSAT GLOBAL LIMITED, using a direct award procedure because competition was considered absent for technical reasons. The stated rationale is that Inmarsat is the only recognised provider of these services under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, under Section 41 and Schedule 5, paragraph 6(a) of the Procurement Act 2023. The awarded value is £161,756.25 excluding VAT, or £194,107.50 including VAT. The award covers 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2031. The lot was identified as suitable for SMEs, although the selected supplier is a large organisation.

This opportunity demonstrates demand for a highly specialised maritime satellite communications capability supporting government safety obligations. A credible future competitor would need to provide an approved Recognised Mobile Satellite Service capable of disseminating Maritime Safety Information through the International Enhanced Group Call service to vessels in Sea Area A3. It would also need recognised standing within the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System and the technical infrastructure, reliability and operational reach needed for internationally coordinated navigational and meteorological warnings and forecasts. The procurement also shows that the buyer may use a direct award where technical exclusivity applies, so suppliers seeking comparable work would need distinctive regulatory recognition and demonstrable technical authority, rather than general telecommunications experience alone.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

SafetyNet II

Notice Description

Provision of SafetyNET II service to support the dissemination of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) through a Recognized Mobile Satellite Service (RMSS). In accordance with Chapters IV and V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, as amended, and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), the UK is required to promulgate MSI, including navigational and meteorological warnings and forecasts, through all approved RMSS providers. As the NAVAREA I and METAREA I Coordinator, the UK is responsible for the ensuring the provision of internationally coordinated MSI services to vessels operating within its area of responsibility. As an RMSS, the SafetyNET II service, provided by INMARSAT, forms an essential component of this capability and is required to enable the dissemination of MSI via the International Enhanced Group Call (EGC) service to vessels operating within GMDSS Sea Area A3. This service supports the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to implement the UKs obligations under SOLAS.

Procurement Information

The MCA is relying on the relevant direct award provision under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023, together with Schedule 5, paragraph 6(a), on the basis that competition is absent for technical reasons. This is supported by the fact that only Inmarsat are recognised to provide these services under GMDSS, meaning the statutory criteria for direct award are met

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ee43
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082052-2026
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

CPV Codes

64200000 - Telecommunications services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£161,756 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2031 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
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode
SO15 1EG
Postcode Area
Southampton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ32 Southampton
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Southampton
Electoral Ward
Banister & Polygon
Westminster Constituency
Southampton Itchen

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

INMARSAT GLOBAL LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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