---
title: "UK NCB NATO CODIFICATION 710780452"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0498b7"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0498b7"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0498b7.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0498b7.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2024-09-06"
---

# UK NCB NATO CODIFICATION 710780452

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0498b7

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## Summary

Essex County Council has awarded a contract titled "Security Operations Centre" in the IT services industry sector, specifically classified under consulting, software development, Internet, and support. The contract is aimed at providing a 24/7/365 monitoring and alerting service to enhance cybersecurity. The procurement stage is in the "Award" phase, having been completed and signed as of 14 August 2024. This limited procurement was conducted as an award procedure without prior publication, directly granted to Phoenix Software Ltd due to the bespoke nature of the existing system. The location for this project is within the UKH3 region, and the contract duration is one year valued at £205,031.06.

This tender provides significant business growth opportunities, particularly for IT service providers specialising in cybersecurity. It’s a prime opportunity for businesses capable of offering continuous monitoring services, understanding bespoke code requirements, and rapidly detecting cyber threats. Companies with an existing relationship or knowledge of Essex County Council's systems, like Phoenix Software Ltd, are ideal candidates. However, other IT firms seeking similar tenders should ensure they have the technical prowess and certifications to fulfill the Council's stringent cybersecurity needs.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has issued a tender titled "UK NCB NATO CODIFICATION 710780452" to secure codification services vital for defence logistics. The procurement phase is "Tender" with the process being a selective, restricted procedure. The service, crucial for uniform naming, describing, and classifying military equipment, is managed by the UK National Codification Bureau (UKNCB) in Glasgow. The contract period spans 24 months with a potential extension of up to 2 additional years and an estimated value between £8,000,000 and £10,000,000. The submission deadline for tender responses is 8 October 2024, with invitations to participate in the second stage to be sent by 14 October 2024. The procurement process places a high priority on meeting ISO 9001:2015 and AQAP 2110 certification requirements.

This tender opens significant avenues for growth, especially for suppliers proficient in military defence services and coding equipment. Suitability involves implementing robust management systems certified by accredited bodies, crucial for maintaining the UK's participation in the NATO codification framework. Businesses that specialise in defence logistics, possessing comprehensive experience in codification, and capable of maintaining operational efficiency within strict regulatory landscapes, are well-positioned to compete. This contract

## Notice

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) requires a suitable contract to provide codification services to defence via the UK National Codification Bureau (UKNCB) to be in place prior to March 25. Cyber Risk profile is Low RAR - 240328A04. Quantity or scope: NATO Codification is the internationally agreed system under which military equipment and component parts, are uniformly named, described, and classified within electronic records. These electronic records are created and currently stored in the Codification Support Information System database. Each Item of Supply record is assigned a unique NATO Stock Number (NSN). The system provides a single supply language to promote logistics interoperability between participating nations. The UK National Codification Bureau (UK NCB) based at Kentigern House in Glasgow is the Sole Authority in the UK responsible for implementation and management of the UK's participation in the overall NATO codification system. It is also responsible for oversight and management of the Codification contract, ensuring that the capability is in place to meet all Codification needs for the Ministry of Defence (MOD). The Codification Contractor is crucial in supporting and maintaining the UK MOD operational efficiency through streamlined and accurate NATO Codification efforts. UKNCB aims to sustain and enhance the efficiency and reliability of the MOD codification needs, ensuring seamless integration and cooperation within the broader NATO framework. The Provider is to collaborate closely with UKNCB to ensure all Codification activities are in line with established codification policies and procedures. All potential bidders should be advised, as part of tender evaluation you will be assessed on your capability to codify by means of an assessment process. The Codification Provider must Implement and maintain a Management System, certified by a third-party Certification Body, which has been accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), or a signatory to the International Accreditation Forum - Multi Lateral Agreement (IAF-MLA). This shall include the production and maintenance of a Quality Manual, a copy of which shall be supplied to the Authority. The Management system is to be certified to ISO 9001:2015. The ISO 9001 management system is to be supplemented by the requirements of Allied Quality Assurance Publication AQAP 2110 - NATO QA Requirements for Design Development and Production. Duration of the contract is 24 months with option to extend via 2 x 12 months. Estimated value PS8,000,000 to PS10,000,000

### Lot Information

Lot 1

This service will provide a 24/7/365 SOC service capable of detecting and alerting ECC to any potential cyber security incidents.

### Procurement Information

Direct award via a waiver to the incumbent provider for one year only. It is not possible for another contractor to be procured for this one year period because it requires bespoke code to be written for the Council. Also, the current monitoring system is owned by Phoenix Software Ltd and was purpose built to the Council's requirements. Another organisation cannot provide the commissioned service given the code owned by the incumbent provider would not be transferrable. Failure to maintain this system, exposes the Council to a far greater risk of undetected cyber-attack.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028580-2024 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Restricted |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 6 Sep 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 8 Oct 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 13 Aug 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £10,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £205,031 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| Additional buyers | ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | CHELMSFORD |
| Post town | Chelmsford |
| Postcode | CM1 1QH |
| 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 | TLH3 Essex |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | PHOENIX SOFTWARE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services

### Codes

- 32552430 - Coding equipment
- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 75221000 - Military defence services

## Release History

- 6 Sep 2024 at 10:33 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028580-2024
- 6 Sep 2024 at 10:33 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028581-2024

## Notice URLs

- https://www.essex.gov.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-0498b7. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0498b7.json.