---
title: "700003315 - Extension of PDM/INA in-service support contract (ISS)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-044fee"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-044fee"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-044fee.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-044fee.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2024-04-05"
---

# 700003315 - Extension of PDM/INA in-service support contract (ISS)

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-044fee

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence in the United Kingdom has awarded a contract extension to Ultra Electronics Command and Sonar Systems for the in-service support of Platform Data Management Systems. The contract is worth an estimated £5.0m and extends from Dec 2024 to June 2027. The procurement method used was a negotiated procedure without publication of a contract notice, based on the technical expertise and specialist knowledge of Ultra Electronics in maintaining and supporting the PDM systems critical for navigational data distribution on various ships.

This tender opportunity presents a chance for businesses with expertise in providing in-service support for complex navigation and communication systems used in defence applications to compete. Companies with a strong track record in maintaining and modifying outdated equipment, such as the PDM systems fitted on Type 23 Frigates, Minehunters, Submarines, and other naval vessels, would be well-suited to pursue this opportunity. The extension of this support contract aims to ensure continued operational readiness of the fleet by relying on the unique technical capabilities and legacy knowledge possessed by Ultra Electronics in supporting these critical systems.

## Notice

The role of the PDM system is to receive G&TR sensor inputs from the platform Gyro/Naval Compass Stabilisers, Ship's Log System and Wind Data System, and output this data in the required format to various navigation and weapon systems. Provision is also made for the input of simulated data and for transmission to various user equipment's for training purposes. This role is generally common to all outfits of PDM. Navigation capability on RN ships is a critical component of a ship's ability to operate and fight, hence any failure or degradation of these systems will place significant risk on the RN's ability to fulfil the Authority's required defence outcomes in accordance with the Authority's Defence Strategy and RN Command Plan.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The role of the PDM system is to receive G&TR sensor inputs from the platform Gyro/Naval Compass Stabilisers, Ship's Log System and Wind Data System, and output this data in the required format to various navigation and weapon systems. Provision is also made for the input of simulated data and for transmission to various user equipment's for training purposes. This role is generally common to all outfits of PDM. Navigation capability on RN ships is a critical component of a ship's ability to operate and fight, hence any failure or degradation of these systems will place significant risk on the RN's ability to fulfil the Authority's required defence outcomes in accordance with the Authority's Defence Strategy and RN Command Plan.

### Procurement Information

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (the "Authority") intends to initially extend contract CSA/3049 for 5 months (from 01 July to 30 Nov 24) as an interim support solution, based upon current Scope of Work, rates/pricing and essential updates to T&Cs. This will then allow negotiations and discussions to take place between both parties to further extend the contract until 30th June 2027 as an adapted QDC contract. The contract will be extended with Ultra Electronics Command and Sonar Systems (the "Company") for in-service support for Platform Data Management (PDM) Systems. The Equipment's managed are the PDM/INA Outfits fitted to Type 23 Frigates (PDM2TR), Single Role Minehunter (PDM3), Vanguard Class Submarines (PDM4) and Fort Victoria (RFA) (PDM5(1)). Without a support contract, the serviceability of the navigational data distribution communication system which is needed for Command and control cannot be guaranteed. PDM is critical for platform navigation and deployment. PDM4 is used onboard our Continuous At Sea Deterrent Boats (CASD). Ultra are the existing Contractor for PDM. PDM was developed and brought into service in the 1990's. The technology used in PDM is aged which presents ongoing supportability and obsolescence challenges. Ultra have the legacy knowledge of PDM having supported this equipment since it was developed through a subsidiary of Ultra called PMES. Therefore, due to the age of the equipment and wider technical advances across the industry, moving support arrangements to an alternative supplier would be difficult. This is due to various reasons including legacy knowledge of PDM and testing and repair equipment owned by Ultra. Through the development of the PDM systems, the OEM has designed and developed their own test and repair equipment to enable them to maintain, repair and modify the PDM equipment to the standards required by the Authority. Ultra are the only supplier with the appropriate level of technical knowledge and SQEP availability, for the systems they have responsibility, to operate the test and repair equipment safely. The planned term of the extension to contract CSA/3049 is initially 5 months as interim support, then extended for the period of Dec 2024 to June 2027. The total value of this extended period is estimated to be cPS5.0m. It is assessed that only the Contractor can achieve delivery of this requirement within the timeframe available on all ships within scope, without considerable risk to the continued operation of the fleet. It is considered that this contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication pursuant the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 (SI 1848), on the basis that the contract may be awarded only to the Company for technical reasons. The Company alone has at its disposal the specialist knowledge and equipment and meet the Authority's technical requirements under the contract. Prior publication of a contract notice in the official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011089-2024 |
| 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 | 5 Apr 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 4 Apr 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £5,000,000 |

## 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 | Not specified |
| Postcode | N/A |
| Country | Not specified |
| ITL 1 | Not specified |
| ITL 2 | Not specified |
| ITL 3 | Not specified |
| Local authority | Not specified |
| Electoral ward | Not specified |
| Westminster constituency | Not specified |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ULTRA ELECTRONICS COMMAND AND SONAR SYSTEMS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services

### Codes

- 75221000 - Military defence services

## Release History

- 5 Apr 2024 at 10:47 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011089-2024

## Notice URLs

- https://des.mod.uk

## 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-044fee. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-044fee.json.