--- title: "Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) and Direction Finder (DF) Systems" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-471b044c-8a41-4057-99d9-e7787ef7f582" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-471b044c-8a41-4057-99d9-e7787ef7f582" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-471b044c-8a41-4057-99d9-e7787ef7f582.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-471b044c-8a41-4057-99d9-e7787ef7f582.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2023-03-31" --- # Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) and Direction Finder (DF) Systems Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-471b044c-8a41-4057-99d9-e7787ef7f582 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-471b044c-8a41-4057-99d9-e7787ef7f582) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-471b044c-8a41-4057-99d9-e7787ef7f582.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Defence has initiated a tender process for the procurement of Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) and Direction Finder (DF) Systems. This planned procurement opportunity falls under the industry category of Air defence radar. The contract, with a value of £10,000,000, is aimed at replacing obsolescent systems by 1st November 2025. The Ministry has outlined the scope of support required for these systems and set a communication deadline of 1st November 2024 for future notices. This contract presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in air traffic management equipment to contribute to the upgrade of critical systems on HMS Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Aircraft Carriers. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are specifically encouraged to participate in this tender. The contract period is set to start on 1st November 2025 and end on 31st October 2028, offering an extended period for successful bidders to showcase their capabilities and support the operational use of the systems on QEC. ## Notice The Maritime Combat System (MCS), Communications and Situational Awareness (CSA) Team has responsibility for placing an In-Service Support (ISS) contract covering HMS Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Aircraft Carriers,' Ship Air Interface (SAI) equipment (equipment used on board the QEC to maintain the aviation capability). The current TACAN and DF systems are key components of the SAI and are also classified as Air Traffic Management (ATM) equipment, and therefore subject to the regulatory requirements of the Military Aviation Authority (MAA). The TACAN system acts as a beacon providing aircraft with information on relative bearing and distance to the ship. The DF system provides air traffic controllers with information on the bearing of aircraft from the ship based upon their radio transmissions. At present, the capability is facing obsolescence challenges and replacement systems are sought for deployment from 01 November 2025. The requisite approvals under the Military Airworthiness Authority's (MAA) Regulatory Articles under the Air Traffic Management (ATM) Equipment Approved Organisation Scheme (AAOS) will be required. A high-level Statement of Requirement (SoR) has been developed and agreed with Navy Command stakeholders defining the scope of support required to achieve the required levels of availability and provide the necessary specialist advice and support to meet legislative, regulatory and safety requirements. Additionally, the provision of enduring support to meet this scope of requirement is a prerequisite for obtaining full ATM releases for the operational use of the systems on QEC. Additional information: The Maritime Combat System (MCS), Communications and Situational Awareness (CSA) Team has responsibility for placing an In-Service Support (ISS) contract covering HMS Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Aircraft Carriers,' Ship Air Interface (SAI) equipment (equipment used on board the QEC to maintain the aviation capability). The current TACAN and DF systems are key components of the SAI and are also classified as Air Traffic Management (ATM) equipment, and therefore subject to the regulatory requirements of the Military Aviation Authority (MAA). The TACAN system acts as a beacon providing aircraft with information on relative bearing and distance to the ship. The DF system provides air traffic controllers with information on the bearing of aircraft from the ship based upon their radio transmissions. At present, the capability is facing obsolescence challenges and replacement systems are sought for deployment from 01 November 2025. The requisite approvals under the Military Airworthiness Authority's (MAA) Regulatory Articles under the Air Traffic Management (ATM) Equipment Approved Organisation Scheme (AAOS) will be required. A high-level Statement of Requirement (SoR) has been developed and agreed with Navy Command stakeholders defining the scope of support required to achieve the required levels of availability and provide the necessary specialist advice and support to meet legislative, regulatory and safety requirements. Additionally, the provision of enduring support to meet this scope of requirement is a prerequisite for obtaining full ATM releases for the operational use of the systems on QEC. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/266d6501-4590-4342-9ee3-d3765fdb898d | | Notice type | Planned Procurement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 31 Mar 2023 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 1 Nov 2024 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Nov 2025 - 31 Oct 2028 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £10,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | 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 | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment ### Codes - 35723000 - Air defence radar ## Release History - 31 Mar 2023 at 12:03 - Planning - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/266d6501-4590-4342-9ee3-d3765fdb898d ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/266d6501-4590-4342-9ee3-d3765fdb898d 31st March 2023 - Future opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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