---
title: "Submarine Main Battery TDP Phase 3a - Final Module Design"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-02da56"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02da56"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02da56.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02da56.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2021-12-17"
---

# Submarine Main Battery TDP Phase 3a - Final Module Design

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-02da56

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-02da56)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02da56.json)

## Summary

The Ministry of Defence in the UK has completed the procurement process for the "Submarine Main Battery TDP Phase 3a - Final Module Design," which falls under the development of military electronic systems. This tender was initiated as a selective procurement method aimed at advancing the design of a Nickel-Zinc submarine battery module. The contract, awarded to PMB Defence Engineering Pty Ltd, has a value of approximately £22,297,509 and was signed on 30th November 2021. The procurement process, classified under 'services', has concluded with an active status for the contract, with all related activities centred in the UK.

This procurement opportunity can foster significant business growth, particularly for companies specialising in defence technology and electronic systems development. Businesses that design, manufacture, or test military and aerospace equipment, especially those focusing on battery technology, would be particularly well-suited to compete. With the option for further Phases in the project, there remains potential for future collaborations or sub-contracting opportunities, making this a strategic opportunity for SMEs in the relevant sectors.

## Notice

Submarine Main Battery TDP Phase 3a - Final Module Design

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Submarine Main Battery TDP Phase 3a - Final Module Design is to develop and improve an existing Nickel- Zinc (NiZn) Submarine main battery module design inclusive of initial production standard module build, shock testing and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) pre-qualification.

Options: Phase 3a is for final module design and there is the option to extend for phase 3b.

### Procurement Information

(i) The purpose of this Voluntary Transparency Notice (VTN) is to alert the market of the intention of the Technology Development Management Group (TDMG), which forms part of the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), to enter into a contract on a single source basis with PMB DEFENCE ENGINEERING PTY LTD. (ii) The contract shall be for the development and testing of a Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) battery technology which includes the delivery of a final module design, build of initial production standard modules, shock testing and EMI qualification. The work undertaken under this contract shall be a further iteration of a module design produced under an earlier contract with PMB DEFENCE ENGINEERING PTY LTD. The NiZn battery is being developed as an alternative to the Lead-Acid battery which is currently required to support the Astute Class submarine with the aim of achieving enhanced energy storage and safety improvements. (iii) A competition was conducted for Phase 1 of the Submarine Main Battery Technology Development Project (TDP) to test the energy storage market and the NiZn cell design which is being developed by PMB was taken forward. The Submarine Main Battery TDP is moving into Phase 3 of the NiZn battery development. (iv) The contract shall be subject to the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice pursuant to Article 28(1)(e) of Directive 2009/81/EC and Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contract Regulations (DSPCR) 2011 (SI 2011/No 1848) where for technical reasons the contract may only be awarded to a particular economic operator. This is due to the technical need to utilise the PMB cell design for the existing NiZn battery module design work conducted under Phase 1 and 2 of the Submarine Main Battery TDP. PMB DEFENCE ENGINEERING PTY LTD are the only economic operator with the tools, knowledge, skills and expertise to be able to continue the development of the NiZn Submarine Main Battery. (v) The existing module design has been developed using the PMB NiZn cell design, PMB are the only contractor who can continue to develop the main battery design without having to redesign the battery module to make use of a different cell design or battery technology. (vi) It is anticipated that the contract award date will be November 2021 with an estimated value of GBP 2.3 million (ex VAT). Please note that the date and value are provided for indicative purposes only.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031701-2021 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Restricted procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 17 Dec 2021 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 19 Aug 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 | £44,597,509 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| 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 | PMB DEFENCE ENGINEERING |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 31422000 - Battery packs
- 73426000 - Development of military electronic systems

## Release History

- 17 Dec 2021 at 22:45 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031701-2021
- 26 Aug 2021 at 21:45 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021222-2021

## Notice URLs

- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence

## 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-02da56. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-02da56.json.