---
title: "Support Services for the Type 31 Combat Management System (CMS) installed on the Type 31 frigates and Shore Integration Facility (SIF)."
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04c7f5"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04c7f5"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04c7f5.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04c7f5.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT"
published: "2024-12-13"
---

# Support Services for the Type 31 Combat Management System (CMS) installed on the Type 31 frigates and Shore Integration Facility (SIF).

Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04c7f5

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence's Defence Equipment and Support organisation has awarded a contract to Thales UK Limited for the provision of support services for the Type 31 Combat Management System (CMS) installed on five Royal Navy Type 31 frigates and at the Portsdown Technology Park Shore Integration Facility. This contract, classified under the Computer Network Services industry, follows a negotiated procurement method without prior publication due to technical reasons. The contract was signed on 13th December 2024, spans six years with potential extensions up to two more years, and is valued at £116 million excluding VAT. The procurement stage is complete, and this notice indicates a limited competition due to the proprietary nature of the TACTICOS CMS.

This tender provides significant business opportunities, particularly for large-scale Defence suppliers with expertise in combat management systems and associated support services. The scope of this contract requires comprehensive system-designer support, including software integration, defect resolution, updates, hardware maintenance, and obsolescence management. Such contracts are ideal for businesses capable of handling complex, high-value Defence projects, ensuring they stay competitive in the market by leveraging specialised knowledge and technical capabilities exclusive to the Thales CMS. Potential subcontracting opportunities may also arise, making this an attractive proposition for businesses seeking to expand their Defence sector portfolio.

## Notice

Defence Equipment and Support, part of the Ministry of Defence, intends to award a "Procurement of support services for the Type 31 Combat Management System" contract to Thales UK Limited (Thales) for in-service support to the Thales TACTICOS combat management system installed on five Royal Navy Type 31 Frigates and at the Portsdown Technology Park Shore Integration Facility. TACTICOS is a proprietary combat management system, combining sensor control, picture compilation and weapon control. The contract will ensure system-designer support for future software integration, defect rectification, updates and future hardware changes, maintenance and obsolescence management. The contract will be for six (6) years, with options to extend for a further two (2) years and have an estimated value of PS116,000,000 exclusive of VAT.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Defence Equipment and Support, part of the Ministry of Defence, intends to award a "Procurement of support services for the Type 31 Combat Management System" contract to Thales UK Limited (Thales) for in-service support to the Thales TACTICOS combat management system installed on five Royal Navy Type 31 Frigates and at the Portsdown Technology Park Shore Integration Facility. TACTICOS is a proprietary combat management system, combining sensor control, picture compilation and weapon control. The contract will ensure system-designer support for future software integration, defect rectification, updates and future hardware changes, maintenance and obsolescence management. The contract will be for six (6) years, with options to extend for a further two (2) years and have an estimated value of PS116,000,000 exclusive of VAT.

Options: The contract will include the options to be extended for a further two (2) years.

### Procurement Information

- In accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this contract falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of this contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service (as required by the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for technical reasons. This is because Thales is the TACTICOS system designer, manufacturer and installer. Thales owns the proprietary information, including software and detailed design documentation, needed and is the only economic operator with knowledge of the system, the technical expertise and know-how to meet the requirement.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040276-2024 |
| 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 | 13 Dec 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 13 Dec 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 | £116,000,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT |
| 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 | THALES |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 72700000 - Computer network services

## Release History

- 13 Dec 2024 at 13:52 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040276-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.contracts.mod.uk

## Provenance

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