---
title: "Maritime Command and Staff Trainer (MCAST) - Transparency Agenda"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-24e3553c-3c55-4119-944c-ece0be11d54b"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-24e3553c-3c55-4119-944c-ece0be11d54b"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-24e3553c-3c55-4119-944c-ece0be11d54b.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-24e3553c-3c55-4119-944c-ece0be11d54b.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2025-08-19"
---

# Maritime Command and Staff Trainer (MCAST) - Transparency Agenda

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-24e3553c-3c55-4119-944c-ece0be11d54b

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence has recently concluded the procurement process for the Maritime Command and Staff Trainer (MCAST), which aims to deliver a virtual training environment for Maritime Battlestaffs across various tiers. This procurement, identified under the CPV code 80610000 for training and simulation in security equipment, is valued at £34,000,000.00 and will run from 31st July 2025 to 30th July 2030. The project is located in the South East of the United Kingdom and was processed under a selective, competitive procedure with negotiation. The award was made to QinetiQ LTD, with the award notice published on 19th August 2025. Additionally, the tender process, labelled as complete, was conducted with significant attention to compliance and interoperability with Defence Modelling and Simulation Coherence (DMaSC) principles.

This contract presents a significant opportunity for businesses involved with defence training systems, particularly those specialising in virtual environments and simulation technologies. Large enterprises with capabilities in advanced simulation, software development, and defence integration will find substantial interest in such government contracts. Although not specifically aimed at SMEs or VCSEs, involvement as subcontractors or in a consortia could offer avenues for collaboration and innovation in defence training methodologies. With the potential for integration with international partners and NATO, businesses that provide specialised knowledge in cross-border defence operations and synthetic training environments may leverage further opportunities for expansion and technological advancements.

## Notice

The MCAST System will provide a virtual environment for Maritime Battlestaffs (MBS) Tier 1, 2 and 2+ training and assurance exercises. The MCAST System will also provide interface to MBS participation in Tier 3 exercises run by other organisations with the potential to stretch to join Tier 4 exercises. At a lower level MCAST might be exploited for specific Tier 1 training delivered to the MBS or sub-teams. The intent is for MCAST to be capable of linking to the wider Defence synthetic training environments. Compliance with Defence Modelling and Simulation Coherence (DMaSC) principles, as defined in JSP 939, will enhance coherence and interoperability, enable efficiencies, and facilitate integration with other synthetic environments. Links to NATO, other international partners and, potentially, component level organisations are expected to follow. The initial 5 Year Contract Period has a value of PS24,817,763.88, with the costed options (including two +1 year options) taking the overall Contract Value to PS34,000,000.00

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8f9a25c5-96ae-4971-bcc7-04d539b61191 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive procedure with negotiation (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 Aug 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 30 Jul 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 30 Jul 2025 |
| Contract period | 30 Jul 2025 - 30 Jul 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £34,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £34,000,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| Locality | BRISTOL |
| Post town | Bristol |
| Postcode | BS34 8JH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England |
| ITL 3 | TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire |
| Local authority | South Gloucestershire |
| Electoral ward | Stoke Park & Cheswick |
| Westminster constituency | Filton and Bradley Stoke |
| Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | QINETIQ |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80610000 - Training and simulation in security equipment

## Release History

- 19 Aug 2025 at 13:19 - AwardUpdate - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8f9a25c5-96ae-4971-bcc7-04d539b61191
- 19 Aug 2025 at 13:19 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8f9a25c5-96ae-4971-bcc7-04d539b61191

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8f9a25c5-96ae-4971-bcc7-04d539b61191
  19th August 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/256a9698-eb7f-40aa-9e4c-053c2369ae7d
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/34df05f0-0d58-4088-b388-b97fe7e9a3c2
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/629628fa-a097-4dbd-bad5-a34f125b8d31
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/af73ba9f-56bb-48a7-a176-1024d0f31780
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/574d075c-e0f0-4f13-89cc-24af6f20779f
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/4c880218-59bc-4f22-a819-f46c0e7cbc5e
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/0e5d09aa-bd80-4c24-8718-87dc2f81f986
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/b4b344c0-ed5a-4df2-a521-0a0cfd1d2fee
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/ca284c83-618b-47c5-ae33-d8a4d42a2da8
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/13de4d3a-63ea-4a97-8ba6-cc017036595e
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/b8051e3c-89f2-419b-b15b-6ae8e83208a8
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/9d002d95-dcfd-445d-8a07-d2b41997e65c
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/6b6c2874-eb03-43eb-a6c5-51fae447476f
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/882edf3c-7de7-47ea-9a23-b0476521822d
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/d1da7001-6628-407b-8ffb-8914141c5c99
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/d9acbc38-4cf3-422c-b14a-bb1633f36287
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/8bcc11d2-a054-46aa-b44e-04a5d9633e30
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/165ca374-df32-407f-a05b-c922b934e98a
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/e0cabca4-791c-41d2-88db-f896bb4df804
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/a206abe9-664a-4f5b-a0ba-b415e3911748
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/19ca5259-3d03-4c10-80be-95e45f140d8c
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/00838c5a-0537-4d31-80dd-83282cbc472b
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/c7df6171-23cc-4312-9a52-73b309681ab5
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/3f657014-f042-4a5f-99ba-4ebb8b4dbf36
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/0633d785-8176-4400-b4f3-50be5b1ede13
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/8aff70ec-5d2d-47e4-9a68-7879e7df8939
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/63e8d9db-2a36-4233-ac67-cbdd891ddb62
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/edd46b05-126c-4658-b50b-5390d4312c72
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/5ffba2c2-0911-4100-a1e6-a09fb2b39463
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/86883a2b-2464-44b3-9201-75d6cb152cf3
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/7ce10f3a-2e54-45ee-933b-8fc18d39703d
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/e138c55e-481f-4ff5-a6a2-4a59bc37e009
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/69033f47-b08c-478d-9bfd-ff55e20ac76d
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/28ebcb52-e036-4566-993a-4d641f0fba78
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/d0ea81a8-9571-4579-a7df-d6e327dcb00f
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/53360903-cf66-4359-afc4-a812c4940644
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/a687634c-d65e-46fc-b2ca-4fbccc993e2f
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- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/155b9edd-6719-401f-81dc-acf562269c18
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## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-24e3553c-3c55-4119-944c-ece0be11d54b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-24e3553c-3c55-4119-944c-ece0be11d54b.json.