---
title: "Post Design Services (PDS) & Repairs for the Mobile Test Facility (MTF) Vehicle"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05630d"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05630d"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05630d.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05630d.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT"
published: "2026-06-02"
---

# Post Design Services (PDS) & Repairs for the Mobile Test Facility (MTF) Vehicle

Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05630d

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## Summary

The Defence Equipment and Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence located in Bristol, has concluded a procurement process under the title "Post Design Services (PDS) & Repairs for the Mobile Test Facility (MTF) Vehicle". This initiative falls within the defence and communication systems maintenance services industry. The contract involves ensuring optimal support for Tactical Data Link (TDL) systems used across various maritime platforms. The contract was awarded to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited through a direct award method, justified by the latter's exclusive rights to necessary software and technical expertise. The contract term runs from 1st May 2026 to 30th April 2027, with potential extensions up to 30th April 2028.

This tender offers significant business growth opportunities, primarily for established defence contractors with the technical capability to manage complex communication system maintenance services. Large firms such as those with the capacity to handle detailed software management and technical documentation are particularly well-suited to compete in this sector. The necessity for robust defence and communication infrastructures means that enterprises with experience in supporting military-grade test facilities have a distinct advantage in capturing such contracts, especially given the stringent technical requirements laid out by the Defence Equipment and Support Authority.

## Notice

The Situational Awareness Command and Control (SACC) Delivery Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (the Authority), intends to award a contract to BAE Systems (Operations) Limited (the Contractor) for the support of the One Mobile Test Facility (MTF), inclusive of bespoke Interoperability Test Tools (IOTT) to provide a complete Tactical Data Link (TDL) testing and assurance capability in the form of a Mercedes Sprinter Vehicle for all the current in-service TDL's including Link 11, Link 16 and Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAPC) across the Maritime platforms. BAE Systems (Operations) Limited are currently contracted to provide Post Design Services for the Mobile Test Facility and have exclusive rights for the Agile software. Subsequently, the Contractor has managed the IOTT capability since the MTF was procured supporting a wide range of test equipment and analysis software used to provide functional testing, monitoring, trialling, defect diagnosis and rectification of Maritime TDL fitted platforms. The MTF tests the new Link 16 MIDS JTRs Terminals and seeks to standardise all in-scope maritime platforms in the next 5 years under the Maritime Multi Link Programme in preparation for transition to in service Equipment Authorising Authority (EAA). The capability will replicate the ship environment to enable an accurate and quick defect rectification service to support both pre-deployment workups and platform release back into service following Operational Defect reporting and assistance and alterations and additions (repairs). It will enhance Navy Commands ability to support trials and NATO exercises with allied nations as the van can be driven to parts of the country not supported by a static TDL test facility to start the Link 11 and Link 16 network allowing the maritime platforms to join or to identify TDL issues with participating platforms. The Contractor is the only supplier to align the van suite of future test tools to the TDL scope ensuring a true replica of a unit afloat and thereby providing optimum support in the TDL test environment. The Contractor also holds the technical documentation, tools, software licences and know-how necessary to perform the service. The original software was designed many years ago and has been supported by the Contractor managing technical upgrades and obsolescence issues. On this basis it is considered that only the Contractor has the technical expertise and knowledge, including system specifications to support the software application. The Cyber Risk Level is Low, and the Risk Assessment Reference number is RAR-250529B05.

### Procurement Information

It is considered that the direct award of the contract is lawful in accordance with section 41(1) of the Procurement Act 2023 and paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 for technical reasons as the Contractor owns the relevant technical information relating to the equipment and only the Contractor has the required technical expertise and know-how necessary to fulfil the Authority's requirement.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051675-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 2 Jun 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 21 Jul 2025 |
| Contract period | 30 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £939,592 |
| Contracts value | £939,592 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| 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 | BAE SYSTEMS (OPERATIONS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50334400 - Communications system maintenance services

## Release History

- 2 Jun 2026 at 08:10 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051675-2026
- 21 Apr 2026 at 09:57 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035965-2026
- 21 Jul 2025 at 13:37 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041683-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/051675-2026
  2nd June 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035965-2026
  21st April 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041683-2025
  21st July 2025 - Transparency 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-05630d. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05630d.json.