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UK5 Notice - DDAITF/014 Project CARRION Systems Integrator

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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07 Oct 2026 at 10:03

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is procuring specialist systems integration services for Project CARRION. The work builds on Project LOW to develop, integrate, test and operationalise a software-defined swarming capability in a representative military environment. It includes delivering a MOD-sovereign, open-architecture technology stack, bringing Defence requirements and component capabilities together, providing independent delivery support, and transferring knowledge so MOD personnel can operate and further develop the capability. The intended outcome is a validated, maturing sovereign capability for future development, competition and operational use. The service is software support and integration work; the procurement does not identify a specific delivery location.

The procurement is complete and the award has been made to Rowden Technologies Ltd. The award is pending, with a contract value of £3,610,000 excluding VAT (£4,332,000 including VAT). The contract period runs from 20 October 2026 to 31 May 2027, with signature scheduled for 20 October 2026. This was a direct award, justified by Rowden’s existing systems integration knowledge from the competed Project LOW work and the need to achieve an operational milestone for NATO Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER 2027. The MOD cited defence and security and prototype development grounds, stating that a supplier change would create technical, assurance and schedule risks. The procurement is a single lot, marked as suitable for SMEs.

For suppliers who did not win, this award shows the MOD’s demand for systems integration that can develop a prototype into a tested, operational military capability while preserving sovereign control and an open architecture. A credible competitor for a future requirement of this kind would need to integrate complex components and Defence requirements, provide development, assurance and testing in a relevant military environment, and transfer practical knowledge to MOD staff. Evidence of delivery in comparable defence settings, familiarity with the capability’s technical dependencies and ability to manage interoperability and schedule risk would be commercially relevant. Rowden’s embedded knowledge from Project LOW was central to this award, so future competitors would need to demonstrate how they could achieve continuity and manage transition risk while supporting MOD ownership and avoiding technological or commercial lock-in.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UK5 Notice - DDAITF/014 Project CARRION Systems Integrator

Notice Description

Project CARRION will build on the test and evaluation activity undertaken through Project LOW to further develop and operationalise a software-defined swarming capability in a representative military environment. The requirement will deliver a MOD-sovereign, open-architecture technology stack supported by specialist systems integration, enabling Defence requirements and component capabilities to be brought together effectively. The systems integrator will provide independent delivery support and transfer the knowledge needed for MOD personnel to operate and develop the capability. The intended outcome is a validated and maturing sovereign capability that supports future development, competition and operational use.

Procurement Information

The proposed contract will develop, integrate, test and operationalise the capability created through Project LOW, following a compliant competitive procurement by Dstl. As systems integrator within the successful consortium, Rowden holds detailed knowledge of the capability, its architecture, integration requirements, technical dependencies and previous test and evaluation outcomes. NATO Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER 2027, scheduled for February 2027, is a defined operational milestone for the MOD. The capability must be established and available in time to enable the UK to participate effectively and operate alongside NATO allies. Rowden's continued involvement is necessary to achieve that outcome because its detailed knowledge of the existing capability and role as systems integrator, achieved through a competitive tender, are critical to completing the required development, integration, assurance and testing within the available timeframe. Transferring responsibility at this stage would create material integration, assurance and schedule risks and would prevent the capability from being ready for the exercise. This defined, time-limited phase is necessary to establish and maintain the operational capability and readiness required for the February 2027 exercise. Failure to complete the work in time would affect the UK's ability to participate fully and operate effectively and interoperable alongside NATO allies. The direct award is therefore limited to the work required to achieve this operational outcome and is not to establish a long-term sole-source arrangement. The work will also assess the prototype and its delivery model, including the use of a systems integrator alongside an MOD-sovereign, open-architecture technology stack. The evidence generated through STEADFAST DEFENDER 2027 will inform further development and the Authority's future technical requirements, operating model and procurement strategy for next year, with the aim of preserving MOD ownership, interoperability and freedom of manoeuvre while avoiding technological or commercial lock-in. Applicable Direct Award Grounds include: - Schedule 5, paragraph 20 - Defence and security The Authority considers that the conditions in Schedule 5, paragraph 20 of the Procurement Act 2023 are met. The February 2027 NATO Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER 2027 is a defined operational milestone, and the contract is necessary to establish and maintain the Armed Forces capability and operational effectiveness required for the UK to participate and operate effectively alongside NATO allies. A direct award to Rowden is necessary because its embedded systems integration knowledge, acquired through the previously competed Project LOW activity, is required to complete the development, integration, testing and assurance in time. Appointing another supplier at this stage would introduce material technical, assurance and schedule risks, affecting the UK's ability to achieve the required operational outcome for the exercise. - Schedule 5, paragraph 2 - Prototypes and development The Authority also considers that the conditions in Schedule 5, paragraph 2 of the Procurement Act 2023 are met. The capability remains a prototype, and the contract will support its further development, integration, testing and evaluation in a relevant military environment. NATO Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER 2027 will provide evidence of the capability's suitability and the viability of the proposed MOD-sovereign, open-architecture delivery model.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078239
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/094538-2026
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
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72261000 - Software support services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£3,610,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
7 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
20 Oct 2026 - 31 May 2027 6-12 months
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
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
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2HB
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ROWDEN TECHNOLOGIES LTD.

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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