---
title: "Virtual Desktop Services - IT Health Check/Pentest (FY 25/26)"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-7d75e449-36f4-40d0-9d46-a5060a9b2a3d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7d75e449-36f4-40d0-9d46-a5060a9b2a3d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7d75e449-36f4-40d0-9d46-a5060a9b2a3d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7d75e449-36f4-40d0-9d46-a5060a9b2a3d.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2026-01-15"
---

# Virtual Desktop Services - IT Health Check/Pentest (FY 25/26)

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-7d75e449-36f4-40d0-9d46-a5060a9b2a3d

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7d75e449-36f4-40d0-9d46-a5060a9b2a3d)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7d75e449-36f4-40d0-9d46-a5060a9b2a3d.json)

## Summary

The Ministry of Defence has completed the award stage of a contract for "Virtual Desktop Services - IT Health Check/Pentest (FY 25/26)", classified under Computer-related professional services (CPV code 72590000). This procurement process, managed through a direct and single tender action (below threshold), primarily targets the improvement of collaborative work between the MoD and Industry via Azure Virtual Desktop services. Taking place in the United Kingdom, the procurement's contract period commences on 12th January 2026 and concludes on 30th June 2026. The contract, awarded to Qinetiq Limited, has been budgeted with a value of GBP 17,201.

This tender offers significant opportunities for IT businesses specialising in virtual desktop services and cybersecurity, particularly those capable of conducting rigorous security checks in line with the Secure by Design principle and the NCSC CHECK scheme. Small and medium-sized enterprises with expertise in IT health checks and rigorous security controls will find this contract advantageous, given the suitability criteria favouring SMEs. Engaging with the Ministry of Defence allows businesses to partner with a prominent government institution, paving the way for future collaboration and growth in government service sectors.

## Notice

Defence Digital (DD) - End User Services (EUS) has introduced runs a range of Virtual Desktop Services (VDS) to improve collaborative working between the MoD and Industry. Within the this is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), which is this focus of this SOR. AVD consists of 3 sub services each with specific requirements. In accordance with Secure by Design (SbD), these services require an annual test by 3rd party to confirm that the security controls in place are not vulnerable from a security perspective. The ITHC will be undertaken as part of the NCSC CHECK scheme. A completion date must be agreed between the Authority and Supplier and completed no later than 01/06/2026.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/670f980e-06d2-4158-b41f-cb9176cacad0 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Single tender action (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 15 Oct 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 15 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 12 Jan 2026 - 30 Jun 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £20,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £17,201 |
| 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 | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1A 2HB |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

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

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 72590000 - Computer-related professional services

## Release History

- 15 Jan 2026 at 09:42 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/670f980e-06d2-4158-b41f-cb9176cacad0

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/670f980e-06d2-4158-b41f-cb9176cacad0
  15th January 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## 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-b5fd17-7d75e449-36f4-40d0-9d46-a5060a9b2a3d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7d75e449-36f4-40d0-9d46-a5060a9b2a3d.json.