---
title: "Submarine Escape and Survival Equipment (SESE) Contract Award Notice"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-c4d6c065-10b3-48a7-bb44-dce85ceb91a5"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-c4d6c065-10b3-48a7-bb44-dce85ceb91a5"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c4d6c065-10b3-48a7-bb44-dce85ceb91a5.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c4d6c065-10b3-48a7-bb44-dce85ceb91a5.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2026-01-27"
---

# Submarine Escape and Survival Equipment (SESE) Contract Award Notice

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-c4d6c065-10b3-48a7-bb44-dce85ceb91a5

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence has completed a public procurement process for Submarine Escape and Survival Equipment (SESE) with the contract being awarded to RFD Beaufort Ltd. The procurement falls under the industry category of survival suits (CPV 37414800) and is set to serve the South West region of the United Kingdom. The contract, valued at approximately £12.6 million, spans from 10th December 2025 to 31st March 2031. This was a competitive procedure with negotiation, designed to source 3,884 operational SESE units and 120 training variants, with associated repair tasks, concluding the tender stage on 31st January 2025.

This tender provides substantial business growth opportunities, particularly for large-scale manufacturers of survival and safety equipment, given the need for precision engineering and compliance with rigorous safety standards. While the awarded contract suggests this procurement is complete, companies in similar fields may yet find opportunities in sub-supply or future tenders with the Ministry of Defence. The procurement process prioritised firms of substantial scale and previously set criteria that proved favourable towards non-voluntary sector enterprises, potentially nurturing long-term partnerships within the defence sector. As such, businesses capable of delivering high-quality, technically sophisticated survival suits and related gear would have been well-suited to initially compete in this bidding process.

## Notice

The purpose of Submarine Escape and Survival Equipment (SESE) is to allow submariners to evacuate from a disabled submerged submarine, without external assistance, in a safe and controlled manner. The intention of the equipment is to keep the escapee dry and protected from the environment during and after ascent, and to provide buoyancy, freeboard, and thermal insulation at the surface. The SESE is a whole-body suit comprising a one-size fits all Submarine Escape Survival Suit (SESS) and a Single person life raft all contained in a protective valise. A competitive procurement has been conducted for supply of 3884 operational SESE and 120 training variant SESE and ad hoc repairs of training variant SESE on a tasking basis.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3d06ab49-e4f3-414b-ac0a-6933263ac30b |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive procedure with negotiation (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 27 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 31 Jan 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 26 Nov 2025 |
| Contract period | 10 Dec 2025 - 31 Mar 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £12,623,383 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £12,623,383 |
| 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 | TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | RFD BEAUFORT |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 37 - Musical instruments, sport goods, games, toys, handicraft, art materials and accessories

### Codes

- 37414800 - Survival suits

## Release History

- 27 Jan 2026 at 10:09 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3d06ab49-e4f3-414b-ac0a-6933263ac30b

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/3d06ab49-e4f3-414b-ac0a-6933263ac30b
  27th January 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/42fa7eb2-1945-42f5-83c2-885e80bd42c9
  SESE Contract Award Notice Documentation
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/4f014d9b-321f-44ad-8719-68517e945975
  SESE Contract Award Notice Documentation

## Provenance

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