--- title: "715838592 - Internal Communications System (ICS) - Technical Refresh (TS) - RFI" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0684d9" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0684d9" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0684d9.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0684d9.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "SUBMARINE DELIVERY AGENCY" published: "2026-04-17" --- # 715838592 - Internal Communications System (ICS) - Technical Refresh (TS) - RFI Buyer: SUBMARINE DELIVERY AGENCY Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0684d9 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0684d9) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0684d9.json) ## Summary The Submarine Delivery Agency, located in Bristol, UK, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Internal Communications System (ICS) - Technical Refresh (TS) - RFI." This initiative focuses on modernising the existing communication systems within submarines, transitioning from Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology. Classified under the communications network category, the procurement is set to follow a Request for Information (RFI) method, with a significant gross value of £120,000,000. Responses to the RFI are due by 12th June 2026, with the procurement cycle expected to commence in April 2027 and potentially extend to March 2034. This contract presents excellent growth opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in communications technology and engineering services. Companies equipped with expertise in complex, digital communication systems and those involved in the transitioning of analogue networks to digital protocols would find this tender particularly aligned with their capabilities. Furthermore, the procurement process allows for participation by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling a wider range of businesses to compete and innovate in the development and support of sophisticated submarine communication technologies. ## Notice This in-service support is currently achieved via a sole source contract with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) including a contractual arrangement for the management of the Shore Reference Sets (SRS) associated with the ICS. ICS provides a digital and analogue voice message exchange architecture that supports voice communications over digital and wireless networks and analogue circuits. The system also includes a telephone exchange, secondary, emergency damage control (DC) communication systems, submarine broadcast and general alarm functions. A-Class ICS employs a wholly, complex, 3-node communication architecture that employs digital switch and network technologies within a multi-layer software model. It supports essential communications between the submarine crew for operational and safety critical functions on-board. The existing system in place is based on Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and will need to move to the modern Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) technology to allow long term support. ICS is a complex system with many interfaces and nodes to allow personnel the opportunity to communicate throughout the platform. This complexity is not always understood by Ship Staff so it is essential to have engineering backup available via Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel (SQEP) ICS engineers provisioned for via a support contract. Astute ICS is a Priority 1 Master Equipment (ME) and is vital to delivering platform capability. The software will need to be a SIL2 (Safety Integrity Level) system and integral to the whole boat safety case. ### Planning Information This Request for Information (RFI) will be advertised on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) and Find a Tender Service (FTS) and issued to all who request an RFI together with other companies whom the SDA believes may be able to provide useful intelligence on this requirement. Responses to this RFI will be reviewed by subject matter experts from different functional areas within the SDA. Following receipt of responses to this RFI the Authority may initiate follow on engagement with either individual potential suppliers, groups of potential suppliers or all potential suppliers. This may be undertaken in writing or through virtual meetings. Any details provided in response to this RFI or during subsequent engagement will be used for information purposes only and will not be used to determine the potential suppliers who will be invited to bid, should the Authority proceed to tender. The results and analysis of this RFI shall not constitute any form of pre-qualification exercise. Any formal procurement process will be undertaken in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023. Nothing in this RFI, or any other engagements with Industry prior to a formal procurement process, shall be construed as a representation as to the Authority’s ultimate decision in relation to the future requirement. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035464-2026 | | 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 | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 17 Apr 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 5 Oct 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2027 - 31 Mar 2032 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £100,000,000 | | 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 | SUBMARINE DELIVERY AGENCY | | 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 ### Codes - 32412000 - Communications network ## Release History - 20 Apr 2026 at 09:01 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035464-2026 - 17 Apr 2026 at 09:02 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035005-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035005-2026 17th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/submarine-delivery-agency - 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-0684d9. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0684d9.json.