---
title: "UK4 - PRIMUS II Inservice Support Solution"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05cfb3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05cfb3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05cfb3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05cfb3.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2026-02-06"
---

# UK4 - PRIMUS II Inservice Support Solution

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05cfb3

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence, based in Bristol, is seeking proposals for its UK4 - PRIMUS II Inservice Support Solution. This procurement project involves the maintenance and technical support of a Ground Station Terminal, integral for Defence communications. The procurement, managed through the Crown Commercial Service’s Space Technology Solutions Dynamic Market, is at the tender update stage. Interested suppliers must register on the Defence Sourcing Portal and meet the conditions outlined in the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) by the 6th of March, 2026. The procurement follows a competitive flexible procedure and aims at ensuring operational readiness over a contract duration of three years, extendable by up to two additional years depending on contract performance and mutual agreement.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses involved in telecommunications and software services. Companies excelling in technical support, software maintenance, and systems integration, especially those equipped to handle defence and space communications technology, are well-positioned to compete. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to participate, presenting a diverse scope for technical service providers to enhance their portfolio within the defence sector. The iterative nature of the procurement process ensures a fair chance based on capacity, capability, and competitive pricing, all of which drive innovation and business growth.

## Notice

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), is looking to secure a support solution to provide maintenance and technical support for an Authority owned Ground Station Terminal. The requirement is for a period of three (3) years, with the potential to extend to an additional two (2) years via costed options. This procurement shall be procured through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), Space Technology Solutions (RM6370) Dynamic Market. The DM contains a list of qualified suppliers who meet specific membership conditions and are eligible to participate in procurements. Should Suppliers wish to recieve the PSQ are not yet on the DM, please engage with the Authority, who may be able to assit with expediting your application. Interested suppliers are required to be registered on the DM, and Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) to engage and complete the Procurement Selective Questionnaire (PSQ). Should Tenderers be Invited to Negotiate (ITN), the Authority will evaluate the Tenderers capacity and capability against the evaluation criteria. For more details please refer to the official guidance, and the Space Technology Solutions DM. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents-define-phase/guidance-dynamic-markets-html / Space Technology Solutions - CCS It is the Authority's intention to down-select approximately 5 highest scoring Tenderers, who will then be ITN providing they meet the overall score of a pass within the PSQ. The Authority reserve the right to a fail a tenderer should they not meet the minimum pass criteria at the Evaluation Stage, and subsequently not be ITN. Overview: PRIMUS is a UK-located Ground Terminal designed to provide an interface between the Authority's operations centre (Or the Authority's authorised operation centres) and the space segment (SSeg). PRIMUS, is based on a 7.3-Meter S and X-band solution, sited within a Radome. It has been scoped to send and receive data from a MOD-owned satellite, whilst the Authority views PRIMUS as an enduring capability, intended to support numerous future Operational Concept Demonstrators (OCDs) that currently exist in various stages of development. The duration of the Authority's In-Service Support (ISS) requirements covers a three-year core contract for the maintenance and operational readiness of the asset. Background: PRIMUS has been conceived under the auspices of the Authority's ISTARI programme as its foremost conceptual demonstrator through which ground segment hardware, software and architecture associated with current and future missions has been, and will continue to be, procured, developed and integrated. The objective of PRIMUS is to develop an operational demonstration of the required hardware architecture that both informs and qualifies the MoD's ground control segment concept, as well as integrating into the wider ISTARI architecture, enabling MoD execution of the Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) cycle. A core objective is to realise a solution which is applicable to supporting imminent missions, whilst also ensuring enduring capability through compatibility with future MoD activities where required. Requirement: PRIMUS is part of the UK Government's broader efforts to maintain, secure and update its satellite communications capabilities, ensuring remote data links for Defence purposes. The Authority requires provision of maintenance and support, which will include both hardware and software elements. The requirements span numerous considerations ranging from routine preventative maintenance to training and management of critical spares, commensurate with Line-3 support. Miscellanous: PRIMUS has been designed with future capability in mind, allowing for - thanks to the terminal's modular design and line replaceable units - potential upgrades. The Modular design preferred on the basis of achieving relatively easy swap-out of small RF components such as feeds/waveguides/Low Noise amplifiers etc., by supplier-trained engineers. The Cyber Risk Profile for this procurement identified by the Cyber Risk Assessment is: Reference: Level 2 PRIMUS is equipped with the OEM's licensed software and, as such, the terms governing the use of this proprietary software are prescribed within an existing and enduring licensing agreement between the OEM and the Authority. Suppliers are advised they are not explicitly covered under the agreement, and may be required to establish a relationship with the OEM in relation to licence software. Tenderers are to be advised that this contract shall have a rolling start date, due to on-going dependencies associated with the terminal.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Options: The Authority reserve the right (but shall not be obligated) to invoke option(s) to extend the duration of the contract by twelve (12) months ((3 )(+ 1) + 1 )) making a potential total duration of 5 years.

Renewal: The Authority intend to include atleast two (2) options which allow the potential extension to contract by one (1) year via costed options.

### Planning Information

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) is to: inform the market of the upcoming procurement activity.
How to Participate
Suppliers interested in participating in this procurement are encouraged to:
Register on the Space Technology Solutions Dynamic Market via the Supplier Registration Service (https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dm/RM6370?nav=0)
Furthermore, the Space Technology Solutions Parts related to this competitive procurement will fall under Part 207: Ground Support Services.
If you have recently registered, please notify the designated representative listed below to ensure your registration is acknowledged and included in a priority list.
Further details, including the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) and procurement timelines, will be shared in due course.
Suppliers are advised to monitor the Space Technology Solutions Dynamic Market for updates.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010876-2026 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 6 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Future notice date | 1 Feb 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Aug 2026 - 1 Sep 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £1,800,000 |
| Lots value | £1,800,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| 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 |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
- 50 - Repair and maintenance services
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 32400000 - Networks
- 32500000 - Telecommunications equipment and supplies
- 32531000 - Satellite communications equipment
- 32570000 - Communications equipment
- 32581000 - Data-communications equipment
- 50330000 - Maintenance services of telecommunications equipment
- 50332000 - Telecommunications-infrastructure maintenance services
- 71356000 - Technical services
- 71356300 - Technical support services
- 72250000 - System and support services
- 72260000 - Software-related services
- 72267000 - Software maintenance and repair services
- 72268000 - Software supply services

## Release History

- 6 Feb 2026 at 11:39 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010876-2026
- 6 Feb 2026 at 11:37 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010873-2026
- 6 Feb 2026 at 11:31 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010862-2026
- 5 Dec 2025 at 10:55 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080043-2025
- 20 Oct 2025 at 11:58 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066686-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010876-2026
  6th February 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010873-2026
  6th February 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010862-2026
  6th February 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080043-2025
  5th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066686-2025
  20th October 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.contracts.mod.uk
- https://supplierregistration.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/dm/RM6370?nav=0
- https://www.crowncommercial.gov.uk/agreements/RM6370
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/api/1.0/ocdsReleasePackages/ocds-h6vhtk-0510f8
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modcontracting-purchasing-and-finance-e-procurement-system
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents-define-phase/guidance-dynamic-markets-html
- 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-05cfb3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05cfb3.json.