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Procurement of Modular A-Frame - PMEN (UK2)

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

28 Sep 2026 at 12:52

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

11 Sep 2026 at 15:11

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
PlanningUpdate

10 Sep 2026 at 10:37

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

07 Sep 2026 at 11:48

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is considering buying at least one modular A-frame, with associated equipment and in-service support, for the Royal Navy. The frame would form part of a launch and recovery system for naval operations and training, and to assess whether the system could be used more widely across Royal Navy vessels. The potential scope may extend to additional frames, equipment, spares, training, maintenance and related goods and services; quantities and scope remain under development. This is a defence equipment requirement involving shipboard lifting and launch-and-recovery equipment. Delivery is in the United Kingdom. The Ministry of Defence is the buying organisation.

This is at the planning stage: the Ministry of Defence is assessing the market and has not invited tenders or committed to proceeding. It is seeking voluntary supplier feedback through an RFI on indicative costs, procurement and delivery timescales, support arrangements, and technical and commercial risks. Responses to the revised RFI were requested by 6 October 2026; questions were due by 22 September 2026. The buyer indicated a possible procurement notice around 28 January 2027. The indicative estimated value is £8 million excluding VAT (£9.6 million including VAT), based on possible additional requirements and options. The anticipated contract period is 30 June 2027 to 30 June 2033. The commercial strategy, route to market and delivery profile remain under development; no evaluation criteria are set out.

The requirement is likely to suit suppliers able to provide modular A-frame lifting equipment for naval launch-and-recovery applications, together with associated equipment and ongoing support. Relevant capabilities may include supplying spares, training and maintenance, as well as understanding the technical and commercial risks of equipment used in Royal Navy operations and training. The buyer is seeking industry input on costs, delivery and procurement timescales, support models, and risks, so suppliers with credible cost and delivery estimates and experience planning in-service support can provide useful evidence during market engagement. The potential scope could accommodate suppliers focused on equipment supply or those able to deliver a broader package of equipment and services. Small and medium-sized enterprises are identified as suitable. Supplier feedback is voluntary and does not determine eligibility for any later competition.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Procurement of Modular A-Frame - PMEN (UK2)

Notice Description

The Authority has a potential requirement for a minimum of one (1) Modular A-Frame, associated equipment and in-service support. The A-Frame will form part of a Launch and Recovery (L&R) System, and will support UK Royal Navy's (RN) operations, training activities, and assessment of suitability for wider application across RN vessels. More requirement detail can be found in the Request for Information (RFI), attached within the Opportunity Listing linked below. The Authority is considering a procurement that may also include provision for the purchase of additional quantities of A-Frames, associated equipment, spares, training, maintenance and other related goods and services. Note that the Total Value stated below is indicative only, and has been estimated on the basis that potential additional requirements and Options may be included. The quantities, scope and duration of any such requirements remain under development and will be determined by the Authority in accordance with its future operational requirements, funding and procurement strategy. The Commercial/procurement strategy (incl. route-to-market approach), support arrangements, and delivery schedule/profile (etc.) remain under development. *NOTE: the PMEN and RFI do NOT represent a commitment to future procurement activity. Following the conclusion of this PMEN/RFI, the Authority may (at its sole discretion) decide to proceed with the procurement as planned, proceed via a different procurement/commercial route, or not proceed at all.*

Planning Information

This PMEN and accompanying RFI seek market feedback regarding indicative costs, procurement/delivery timescales, support arrangements and technical and commercial risks (etc.), whilst providing Industry advance notice of the potential procurement. *NOTE: the RFI has been uplifted to version 1.1 to reflect minor requirement clarifications* Interested suppliers are requested to respond to the RFI ("v1.1") attached within the Opportunity Listing, linked here: https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=61461 The completed RFI Questionnaire must be returned via email to jack.pass103@mod.gov.uk by no later than 12:00hrs midday (UK time), Tuesday 06th October 2026. Potential suppliers may raise questions or seek clarification regarding the RFI Questionnaire. These must be submitted BEFORE 12:00hrs midday (UK time), 22nd September 2026. Questions must be submitted via email to jack.pass103@mod.gov.uk. The Authority will endeavour – but is not obliged – to respond to any questions received. Participation in the RFI is voluntary, and non-participation will not be taken into account in any future potential procurement activities nor will this preclude any potential supplier from participating in any subsequent formal procurement procedure. Further details relating to the requirement and RFI response instructions can be found within the RFI.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f348
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/091413-2026
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
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

42 - Industrial machinery

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

CPV Codes

34510000 - Ships

35520000 - Parts for warships

35521000 - Hull and mechanical spare parts for warships

42414000 - Cranes, mobile lifting frames and works trucks fitted with a crane

44142000 - Frames

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£8,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
28 Jan 20274 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2027 - 30 Jun 2033 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
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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