--- title: "715850540 - AUV Integration Frames and Support - RFI" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06899a" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06899a" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06899a.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06899a.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2026-05-12" --- # 715850540 - AUV Integration Frames and Support - RFI Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06899a [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06899a) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06899a.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Defence, located in Abbey Wood, Bristol, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for AUV Integration Frames and Support. This initiative falls under the goods category, specifically within the unmanned underwater vehicles and frames industry classification. The procurement is above the threshold and is scheduled to be a substantial project with a value of £4,000,000. The planning milestone includes a response deadline on 14th May 2026, and the engagement phase is active, aimed at facilitating supplier input before the official tender process. The project is set to commence in December 2026 and continue until December 2031. This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in maritime equipment design and manufacturing. Companies that specialise in modular integration frames suitable for maritime vessels, particularly those capable of handling containerised equipment efficiently, will find this contract particularly advantageous. The project also emphasises sea-fastening design and support over a five-year period, offering long-term engagement. The suitability criteria suggest opportunities for SMEs and VCSEs, encouraging diverse business participation and potential growth in the defence sector. ## Notice The Authority utilises a variety of different vessels to deploy containerised AUV equipment with deck types including: * Flat steel decks. * Timber deck steel transverses. * Decks with ISO twist lock sockets. * Decks with 1m x M20 bolt matrix. The Authority requires a set of modular Integration Frames to integrate the AUV capability onto a host vessel, that can be stored within a separate ISO container and deployed to the vessel for assembly. The supplier would be required to design, manufacture, deliver, provide sea-fastening design onto maritime vessels, assemble / dissemble and support the integration frames over a 5 year contract. ### Planning Information The completed questionnaire at the link below should be returned via email to desshipscomrcl-salmo-multiuser@mod.gov.uk for the attention of Jordan Thornell by the response deadline of 1700hrs (UK time) Thursday 14th May 2026. Potential suppliers may raise questions or seek clarification regarding response to this RFI questionnaire only at any time prior to 1700hrs (UK time) Thursday 7th May 2026. Questions must be submitted via email to desshipscomrcl-salmo-multiuser@mod.gov.uk. Please use no more than one side of A4, Arial 11, spacing 1.0, including any pictures for each answer. Supplementary information may be provided in the way of web links. Participation in this market consultation is voluntary. It is not a requirement to provide answers to every question. If the question is not relevant, please enter ‘Not Applicable’. The publication of any documents at this stage is intended to provide potential suppliers with the opportunity to view and comment on the requirement. RFI document link - https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=61015 Clarification Questions and Responses added to the above link ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043542-2026 | | 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, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 12 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 14 May 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 1 Dec 2026 - 1 Dec 2031 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £4,000,000 | | 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 | 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 - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment - 44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus) ### Codes - 35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles - 44142000 - Frames ## Release History - 12 May 2026 at 14:17 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043542-2026 - 23 Apr 2026 at 12:30 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037078-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/043542-2026 12th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037078-2026 23rd April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=61015 - 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-06899a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06899a.json.