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Procurement of Modular A-Frame (UK1)

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

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. The equipment will form part of a Launch and Recovery System for Royal Navy operations, training and assessment of whether the system could be used more widely across Royal Navy vessels. The requirement may also cover additional A-Frames, spares, training, maintenance and other related goods and services, including purchases through contractual options or extensions. This is a defence and maritime equipment requirement, covering lifting frames, ship equipment and warship parts. Delivery is across the United Kingdom. The procurement is intended for suppliers able to provide the equipment and its supporting services as an integrated requirement, rather than a standalone frame supply. The Ministry of Defence is the buying organisation.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is not an invitation to tender or a commitment to proceed. The commercial strategy, route to market, quantities, support arrangements, contract duration and delivery profile remain under development. The buyer expects a future notice on 28 January 2027. The planned contract period is from 30 June 2027 to 30 June 2033. The indicative total value is £8,000,000 excluding VAT and £9,600,000 including VAT; this assumes additional requirements or options may be included. The procurement is above threshold, subject to the defence and security regime, and planned as one lot. The lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. Market engagement is under way through a request for information: questions are due by 12:00 midday on 22 September 2026 and completed responses by 12:00 midday on 29 September 2026.

This will suit manufacturers and specialist suppliers of modular lifting frames, shipboard handling equipment and warship mechanical systems, particularly businesses that can combine equipment supply with through-life support. Relevant preparation should cover engineering and integration for a Launch and Recovery System, maritime or naval operating environments, spares provision, maintenance, training and technical support. Suppliers able to address both an initial system requirement and potential additional quantities or support extensions may be well placed when the requirement reaches the market. The Ministry of Defence is seeking market feedback on indicative costs, procurement and delivery timescales, support arrangements, and technical and commercial risks. Businesses can use the request for information to explain their capability, delivery model and risk considerations. Participation is voluntary and will not determine eligibility for any later formal procurement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Procurement of Modular A-Frame (UK1)

Notice Description

Potential procurement of a minimum of one (1) Modular A-Frame, associated equipment, and in-service support. The Modular A-Frame(s) will form part of a Launch and Recovery (L&R) System in support of UK Royal Navy's (RN) operations, training activities, and assessment of suitability for wider application across RN vessels. The potential procurement may also include provisions for the purchase of additional quantities of A-Frames, associated equipment, spares, training, maintenance and other related goods and services. Such purchases may be undertaken through the exercise of contractual Options and/or extension provisions. Note that the Total Value stated below is indicative only, and has been estimated on the basis that potential additional requirements/Options may be included. The Commercial/procurement strategy (incl. route-to-market approach), requirement quantities, support arrangements, contract duration, and delivery schedule/profile (etc.) remain under development and are subject to change. This Pipeline Notice is intended to provide early visibility of a potential forthcoming procurement and does not constitute a call for competition or a commitment by the Authority to commence any procurement process.

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. Interested suppliers are requested to respond to the RFI 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 29th September 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/086534-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline 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

34500000 - Ships and boats

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
11 Sep 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
28 Jan 20275 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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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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