---
title: "DTXG micro-AUV"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05ed92"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ed92"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ed92.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ed92.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2025-12-05"
---

# DTXG micro-AUV

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05ed92

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence, located in London, UK, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for a project titled "DTXG micro-AUV". This initiative falls under the category of "Unmanned underwater vehicles," and is part of the goods procurement sector. The contracting authority is seeking to fulfil minimum viable requirements for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for their Diving and Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG). A key milestone includes a market engagement notice, which encourages suppliers to respond via an online MS Forms questionnaire by 6th January 2026. The tender aims to address the needs of the Royal Navy in safeguarding underwater infrastructure and conducting autonomous missions. The process will involve a formal Invitation to Tender (ITT) expected early in 2026, potentially through the Commercial X Dynamic Market platform.

This tender presents a valuable opportunity for companies specialising in autonomous aquatic technology to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Defence. The tender seeks versatile, portable, and robust AUV systems capable of enduring complex underwater missions. Businesses, particularly SMEs and VCSEs, with expertise in marine technology, underwater navigation, and remote operations, are ideally positioned to compete. The procurement outlines that successful bidders will support the development of AUV capabilities, potentially enhancing their market presence and fostering growth by aligning with the defence sector's advanced technological requirements.

## Notice

This Pre-Market Engagement seeks to identify suppliers whose Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) can meet the MOD's Minimum Viable Requirement (MVR) and to understand which platforms may support future development. This is not an evaluative exercise and nothing in this activity will limit the opportunity to engage in any follow-on ITT. The Royal Navy's Diving and Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG) delivers a range of operational outputs, including protection of critical undersea infrastructure in home waters and deployed support to maritime operations. Inherent in these tasks is a requirement to survey and understand the underwater battlespace; tracking undersea cables and pipelines, charting beaches, ports and maritime infrastructure, and plotting potential obstructions or objects. These operations will frequently need to be conducted from small boats by light-role teams at significant range from a host platform. The possibility for sub-surface deployment and recovery is desirable. To meet this requirement, DTXG is exploring a portable, single operator deployable AUV system for environmental data gathering, survey operations, and exploratory autonomous missions in coastal/offshore waters. The rapid procurement of this system will allow the development of the capability alongside the Original Equipment Manufacturer; the key user requirements are below in the following format: Requirement Area - Requirement Statement - Minimum Requirement 1. Depth Performance - Operate effectively in coastal and shelf-sea environments requiring mid-depth capability - equal to or greater than 300 m depth rating 2. Portability - Deployable and recoverable by a single operator without mechanical lifting assistance - Single-person portable & recoverable; no mechanical/specialist Launch And Recovery System 3. Endurance - Support meaningful survey/data-gathering missions - multi-hour mission capability 4. Navigation & Comms - Operate safely and autonomously using standard technologies - Autonomous nav/comms suite suitable for AUV operations 5. Modularity/Deployment Pathway (Desirable) - Provide scope for future payloads, upgrages or development - Modular payload or development pathway (desirable)

### Planning Information

To respond to this notice, please complete the MS Forms questionnaire available by copying the link below and pasting into your browser in a new window. The deadline for submission is 6th January 2026 at 15:00.
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7WB3vlNZS0iuldChbfoJ5W3zRlF2YItErKtGn0bBS41URE1WRUE5OVRRSFU4RFZBSUk2VFgxVUtERC4u
The Authority anticipates that, subject to approvals and budget confirmation, a formal ITT will be released early in the New Year, with a desire to acquire a minimum viable product before the end of FY 2025/26.
Subject to approval, the intention is to run the ITT through the Commercial X Dynamic Market.
Whilst not mandatory until publication of the formal tender notice, registration on the Dynamic Market is strongly recommended now, as any future tender will only be accessible via that platform.
Applying to onboard to the Dynamic Market:
Registration is simple. Firstly, you will need to ensure you have created a company profile on the Central Digital Platform (paste URL into browser):
https://signin.account.gov.uk/sign-in-or-create
Your application to the Dynamic Market needs to be completed on the Defence Sourcing Portal (paste URL into browser):
https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontracts.mod.uk%2Fesop%2Fogc-host%2Fpublic%2Fmod%2Fweb%2Flogin.html%3FVISITORID%3D115308aa-96cf-4930-8910-3e29a0cd5024%26_ncp%3D1751540045689.1365397-1&data=05%7C02%7CJosiah.Mayled101%40mod.gov.uk%7C42699efdbca84a9ce22e08de1d70ad72%7Cbe7760ed5953484bae95d0a16dfa09e5%7C0%7C0%7C638980566943315044%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ZbLPNffKnHgcvvs4XeeReQU4C0dOkfIhEf1acrwWE1o%3D&reserved=0
Instructions
1. On the home page, click 'view DSP opportunities'
2. make sure you’re in the 'current opportunities tab'
3. click the 'filters' drop down and select 'project info'
4. in the 'value' field type 'commercial x' and click 'search'
You should be able to access the ‘PQQ’ event that we are using for the applications. There is also downloadable content available in the opportunity listing providing further information about the Dynamic Market.
Disclaimer:
Neither:
1. responding to this Engagement Notice, or
2. registering on the Dynamic Marketplace
will impact your ability to compete in any follow-up ITT.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080237-2025 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Dec 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 6 Jan 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 28 Feb 2026 - 28 Feb 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £500,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1A 2EU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles

## Release History

- 5 Dec 2025 at 14:39 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080237-2025
- 4 Dec 2025 at 15:15 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079829-2025
- 3 Dec 2025 at 09:09 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079169-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080237-2025
  5th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079829-2025
  4th December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/079169-2025
  3rd December 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7WB3vlNZS0iuldChbfoJ5W3zRlF2YItErKtGn0bBS41URE1WRUE5OVRRSFU4RFZBSUk2VFgxVUtERC4u
- https://gbr01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontracts.mod.uk%2Fesop%2Fogc-host%2Fpublic%2Fmod%2Fweb%2Flogin.html%3FVISITORID%3D115308aa-96cf-4930-8910-3e29a0cd5024%26_ncp%3D1751540045689.1365397-1&data=05%7C02%7CJosiah.Mayled101%40mod.gov.uk%7C42699efdbca84a9ce22e08de1d70ad72%7Cbe7760ed5953484bae95d0a16dfa09e5%7C0%7C0%7C638980566943315044%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ZbLPNffKnHgcvvs4XeeReQU4C0dOkfIhEf1acrwWE1o%3D&reserved=0
- https://signin.account.gov.uk/sign-in-or-create
- https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
- 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-05ed92. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ed92.json.