---
title: "Vicon 78 In Service Support"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-051b7b"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-051b7b"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051b7b.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051b7b.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT"
published: "2025-10-23"
---

# Vicon 78 In Service Support

Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-051b7b

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## Summary

The "Vicon 78 In Service Support" contract, initiated by Defence Equipment and Support, focuses on delivering comprehensive maintenance and support for the Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System. Located in Bristol, United Kingdom, the contracting authority aims to facilitate ongoing program management, technical support, and the procurement of necessary materials. This contract is categorised under Defence and Security, with a procurement method of direct award due to specific technical requirements justifying a sole supplier. The award process, as of 23rd October 2025, has been completed with Thales UK Limited as the designated supplier. The contract spans from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2034, and holds an estimated value of £4.9 million (excluding VAT).

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in defence and security services, particularly those specialising in technical support and maintenance of security and defence systems. The niche nature of the project, specifically pertaining to military-grade equipment, suggests that experienced entities with a background in defence manufacturing or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) support services stand to benefit the most. Additionally, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), despite not being directly named in the direct award, might find indirect opportunities in subcontracts or related services. Overall, businesses with expertise in managing and supporting complex, safety-critical systems integrated into defence platforms could consider leveraging this environment for potential growth and expansion into defence contracts.

## Notice

Program Managmenet, Repairs including material purchases, Technical Support, Procurment of spares & ground support equipment and Tasking for Vicon 78 Series 455 inc Post Design Services

### Procurement Information

Defensive Aids Delivery Team, part of the Ministry of Defence ("the Authority"), intends to enter into a contract with Thales UK Limited ("Thales") for the through-life support of Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) including maintenance, technical engineering support, training, procurement in support of Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) and associated spares provision. These systems are mandated as Theatre Entry Standard (TES) equipment, used across several platforms in line with customer requirements. The length of the new contract will be eight years. The approximate value of the Contract is estimated to be PS4.9 million ex VAT. In accordance with Section 41(1)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023 (the "Act"), the Authority intends to rely on the Single Supplier direct award justification, as set out in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the Act, to award a public contract directly to Thales, a supplier that is not an excluded supplier. It is considered that a Direct Award is permissible under the Act on the basis that, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only Thales can carry out the services and there are no alternatives to those goods, services or works. Only Thales can supply the services for the following reasons: Thales is the OEM for Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) and are currently providing in-service support including maintenance. Only Thales has the necessary technical information to be able to perform this requirement. Their continued technical expertise, technical data and manufacturing expertise is necessary to ensure that the system remains fully operational and compliant with evolving threat environments. Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) is integrated into specific aircraft platforms, with bespoke configurations tailored to each platform's operational requirements. Thales is the only supplier with the detailed technical information necessary to ensure seamless integration and compatibility with existing systems. Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) is a safety-critical system, and any modifications or maintenance must comply with stringent airworthiness and safety standards. Thales, as the OEM, is the only supplier with the relevant technical information and system expertise to be able to ensure safety/airworthiness requirements are met. Accordingly, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, Thales is considered as the only supplier that can provide the services and there are no reasonable alternatives to those services as required by the Authority. The contract will not be awarded to an excluded or excludable supplier, a Contract Award Notice and Contract Details Notice will follow in accordance with Procurement Act 2023. Risk Assessment Ref: RAR-250822A01 Cyber Risk Profile: Moderate

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067981-2025 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 23 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 21 May 2025 |
| Award date | 23 Oct 2025 |
| Contract period | 31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2034 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £2,322,430 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £4,900,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## 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

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services
- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services

### Codes

- 50600000 - Repair and maintenance services of security and defence materials
- 75221000 - Military defence services

## Release History

- 23 Oct 2025 at 16:08 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067981-2025
- 21 May 2025 at 14:28 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024127-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067981-2025
  23rd October 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024127-2025
  21st May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-051b7b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-051b7b.json.