---
title: "Support and Enhancement of TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-02a8dd"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02a8dd"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02a8dd.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02a8dd.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2021-04-21"
---

# Support and Enhancement of TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-02a8dd

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence is seeking to engage potential suppliers for the contract titled "Support and Enhancement of TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment." This five-year procurement process falls under the services category, specifically classified as technical support services. The procurement is currently at the awarding stage, with the contract value estimated at £750,000. The contract was signed on 4th February 2021, and suppliers will be required to provide ongoing hardware and software support for existing tactical data link test equipment located in the UK.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specializing in technical support services, particularly those with expertise in tactical data link technology. Companies that can provide maintenance, software updates, and training for sophisticated military-grade equipment would be well-positioned to compete for this contract. Given that the contract has been awarded through a negotiated procedure due to the technical nature of the required services, it may appeal primarily to established firms with existing relationships or technical knowledge in defence and military support.

## Notice

Support (hardware and software) for the Authority's existing TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment. The services shall be provided for 5 years commencing 2021.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Summary the services: The Authority intends to procure support for its currently deployed TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment. Services shall be provided for 5 years commencing 2021. Technology: Tactical data link (TDL) is a communications technology utilizing radio waves or cable used by the U.S. armed forces and NATO nations. Tactical data link technology has various forms (Link 16, etc.) MOD MML Project: The Maritime Multi-Link (MML) Project will provide Royal Navy warships with the Tactical Data Link System (TDLS), to provide enhanced operational capability to interoperate with NATO and other coalition partners and allies. The Tactical Data Link System will comprise MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) equipment. Purpose of current test equipment (MLST3 and TIGER): Tactical Data Links are required to be tested in order to verify their correct operation. The currently used test equipment (MLST3 and TIGER) are TDL test tools that support the development and testing of Data Link Processors (DLP) in the following areas: * Conformance to Tactical Data Link (TDL) Standards for Link 11, Link 16, Link 22 and Joint Range Extension Application Protocol 'C' (JREAP-C); * Interoperability, in both single and multi-link environments; * DLP Integration and Testing The requirement to support the existing test equipment software: In order for the currently used TDL test tools to remain up to date with the latest NATO TDL Messaging Standards Agreements (STANAGs) the software is required to be supported. This support comprises software fixes and updates and some software related training. The requirement to support the existing test equipment hardware: The main component of the existing equipment is MLST3 (OEM: Northrop Grumman product) which was procured by the Authority via Foreign Military Sale procurement in 2020. The other element is TIGER (again OEM: Northrop Grumman product) which as originally procured by the Authority as part of the Wildcat programme. The existing hardware will have to be supported to ensure its functioning and compatibility with the software during the period of support.

### Procurement Information

The Situational Awareness Command and Control (SACC) team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a single source contract to Leidos Innovations UK Limited, acting as the agent for the Northrop Grumman Corporation, for a period of 5 years to procure hardware and software support to the MLST3 and TIGER Test Tool. It is considered that this contract can be awarded using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication pursuant to Article 28(1) (e) of Directive 2009/81/EC (Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011) for technical reasons. Northrop Grumman are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for both MLST3 and TIGER test equipment and have the design drawings/information, technical specifications, data and knowledge of the equipment which has been provided to Leidos Innovations UK Limited as Northrop Grumman's exclusive authorised agent for the supply of MLST3 and TIGER hardware and software in Europe and, hence the only source for OEM support for MLST3 and TIGER hardware and software. The MoD has already procured MLST3 through Northrop Grumman via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route and TIGER through Leidos and is seeking to maintain and support the existing test facility for the next 5 years. The estimated total contract value is PS750,000.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008556-2021 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated without publication of a contract notice |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 21 Apr 2021 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 4 Feb 2021 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £750,000 |

## Status

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

## 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | LEIDOS INNOVATIONS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 71356300 - Technical support services

## Release History

- 21 Apr 2021 at 21:55 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008556-2021

## Notice URLs

- http://www.leidos.com
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-security-classifications

## 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-h6vhtk-02a8dd. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02a8dd.json.