---
title: "The Supply of C8 Rifle Spares"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04e42a"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04e42a"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e42a.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e42a.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2025-07-29"
---

# The Supply of C8 Rifle Spares

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04e42a

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## Summary

The UK Ministry of Defence has completed a procurement process for the supply of C8 Rifle Spares, with the contracting title "The Supply of C8 Rifle Spares," classified under the CPV code 35321200 - Rifles. Babcock Land Defence Ltd acted as an agent for the UK Ministry of Defence in this process, which utilised a limited procurement method without prior publication. The contract, valued at £4 million, was awarded to Colt Canada Corporation, chosen for their unique technical expertise and proprietary knowledge necessary for this project. This two-year contract, with potential for three additional option years, was finalised on 24th July 2025 and includes deliveries within the region UKG21 located in Telford, United Kingdom.

This award opens significant business growth opportunities, particularly for companies in the defence sector specialising in technical and specialised goods. Although the contract was awarded without an open call for competition due to technical exclusivity, it underscores the importance of cultivating niche capabilities and expertise within high-demand industries. Businesses with advanced manufacturing capabilities, especially those with specific focus on defence equipment that can act as sole suppliers, could benefit from similar procurement processes by aligning themselves with the prowess demonstrated by Colt Canada Corporation. Companies can explore potential subcontracting opportunities within similar projects to advance their market presence.

## Notice

Babcock Land Defence Ltd, acting as agent for the UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a 2 year contract with 3 option years using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 to Colt Canada Corporation. On the basis that, for technical reasons, the Contract can only be awarded to Colt Canada Corporation. Colt Manufacturing is the manufacturer and have appointed Colt Canada Corporation as the sole distributor of spares in the UK which support C8 Platform components. Colt Canada Corporation have been granted the rights from Colt Manufacturing to the technical specifications required to undertake the manufacture, testing and supply and they do not share this knowledge/expertise with any third party.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Babcock Land Defence Ltd, acting as agent for the UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a 2 year with 3 option years contract using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 to Colt Canada Corporation. On the basis that, for technical reasons, the Contract can only be awarded to Colt Canada Corporation. Colt Manufacturing is the manufacturer and have appointed Colt Canada Corporation as the sole distributor of spares in the UK which support C8 Platform components. Colt Canada Corporation have been granted the rights from Colt Manufacturing to the technical specifications required to undertake the manufacture, testing and supply and they do not share this knowledge/expertise with any third party. Babcock Land Defence Limited is acting as Agent on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. In the first instance interested parties may contact Babcock with queries relating to this procurement. CPV: 35321200 Risk Assessment Ref: RAR-240815B01

Options: 2 Years with 3 Option Years

### Procurement Information

In accordance with regulation 4 of the Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement 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 the 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 DSPCR 2011 for technical reasons. This is because Colt Canada Corporation is the only Contractor with significant niche expertise, technical 'know-how' and acquired specific experience to source quality spares and manage the supply chain / delivery process for this requirement.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043661-2025 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 29 Jul 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 Feb 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £4,000,000 |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| Locality | TELFORD |
| Post town | Telford |
| Postcode | TF2 8JT |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLG21 Telford and Wrekin |
| Local authority | Telford and Wrekin |
| Electoral ward | Donnington |
| Westminster constituency | The Wrekin |
| Delivery location | TLG21 Telford and Wrekin |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | COLT CANADA |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

### Codes

- 35321200 - Rifles

## Release History

- 29 Jul 2025 at 06:30 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043661-2025
- 19 Feb 2025 at 15:21 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005905-2025

## Notice URLs

- http://www.babcockinternational.com

## 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-04e42a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04e42a.json.