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In service support and PDS of Headsets-UK5

Defence Equipment and Support

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

21 Sep 2026 at 13:39

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Planning

15 Sep 2026 at 15:24

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Defence Equipment and Support, on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence, is procuring in-service support for Joint Service Aircrew Headsets, MK10 helmet communications equipment and associated spares, together with the UKStratCom Tactical Systems Close Combat Communication Hearing Protection System used by the Army. The requirement covers headset repairs, replacement components and spares, and post-design services support for Crewgard and Combat headsets. The equipment supports Defence operational and training activities, including military aerospace applications. Delivery and support are required across the United Kingdom. The procurement is categorised as goods and includes headphones, protective equipment and electronic and electrical spare parts for military aerospace equipment. The requirement is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, although the stated technical rationale identifies the original equipment manufacturer as the capable supplier.

The procurement has been awarded by direct award to Invisio Communications Ltd, with the award recorded as pending and a signature milestone scheduled for 18 January 2027. The award value is £5,834,000 excluding VAT, or £7,000,000 including VAT. The contract period is 18 January 2027 to 17 January 2030, with three one-year extension options that could run to 17 January 2033. The direct award is justified on technical grounds because Invisio is identified as the sole supplier able to manufacture and repair the legacy equipment, with no reasonable alternative. The authority cites the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5, paragraph 6(a) and (b). The contract is above the relevant threshold and is intended to maintain access to spares, repairs and technical support.

This award shows a recurring Defence requirement for specialist military communications equipment support, rather than a general headphones or protective-equipment supply opportunity. A credible future competitor would need original-equipment-manufacturer capability or demonstrable authority to manufacture and repair the relevant legacy headsets, plus access to proprietary technical information, design documentation, specialist test equipment and experienced personnel. Knowledge of integrated headset and helmet communication systems, repair of aircrew equipment, and the supply of compatible spares would be central. Suppliers would also need to understand military aviation safety and certification requirements, including the need to preserve Military Aviation Authority compliance when using replacement parts. Experience supporting equipment across multiple Defence platforms and maintaining equipment availability for operational and training use would strengthen their position.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

In service support and PDS of Headsets-UK5

Notice Description

There remains an ongoing requirement to provide In-Service Support for Joint Service Aircrew Headsets, MK10 helmet communications equipment and associated spares, together with the UKStratCom Tactical Systems Close Combat Communication Hearing Protection System (CC CHPS) used by the Army. This equipment is essential to support operational and training activities and continues to be widely used across Defence. Support is currently provided through the existing Invisio Communications contract (708493450), which expires on 30 September 2026. Continued support is required to maintain equipment availability and ensure uninterrupted access to equipment, spares, and technical support.

Procurement Information

DE&S Deca, on behalf of the Support Capabilities and Commodities (SCC) Team within the UK Ministry of Defence (the Authority), intends to award a direct contract to Invisio Communications Ltd for the supply of Aircrew Communications Equipment components and spares for headset repairs. This contract will also cover the provision of spares and post-design services (PDS) support for Crewgard and Combat headsets on behalf of UKSTRATCOM. The headsets in question are legacy components dating back to 2003. Invisio Communications Ltd is the sole supplier capable of manufacturing and repairing these headsets. Due to the complexity of their integration and the extensive testing required, the Ministry of Defence cannot ensure the conformity of spares sourced from alternative suppliers. Use of non-original parts could result in degraded equipment performance, potentially leading to noise-induced hearing loss or loss of situational awareness, with serious safety implications. The contract will have a duration of three years, with an option to extend for a further three years (1+1+1), and is expected to commence in January 2027. It will provide continuous support for spares, repairs, and post-design services. The proposed contract value is PS7,000,000.00 (Seven million pounds) (excluding VAT). It is anticipated to be a Qualifying Defence Contract. The Authority considers that the direct award of this non-competitive contract is justified under the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 5, Paragraph 6(a) and (b), which state: * (a) Due to technical reasons, only a particular supplier is able to supply the required goods, services, or works; and * (b) There are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services, or works. Invisio Communications Ltd, as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and design authority, possesses the exclusive technical expertise necessary to manufacture and supply the required spares for the repair of Aircrew Communications and helmets. Formerly known as RACAL, Invisio's headsets are currently in service across multiple platforms, each requiring Military Aviation Authority (MAA) certification for safety. Repairs and maintenance must be conducted using official Invisio parts to maintain certification compliance. Invisio has supported and maintained this equipment for over ten years and holds the specialist skills, experience, proprietary technical knowledge, documentation, and test equipment essential to fulfilling this requirement. No other supplier has access to this critical information or capability, making Invisio uniquely qualified to provide this support.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06fa5f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/089154-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

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

CPV Codes

18143000 - Protective gear

32342100 - Headphones

35642000 - Electronic and electrical spare parts for military aerospace equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,834,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£5,834,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
21 Sep 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
18 Jan 2027 - 17 Jan 2030 3-4 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
DEESIDE
Postcode
CH5 2LS
Postcode Area
Chester
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL3 North Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL34 Flintshire and Wrexham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Flintshire
Electoral Ward
Queensferry and Sealand
Westminster Constituency
Alyn and Deeside

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Racal Acoustics Ltd

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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