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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Gladiator and Spartan Core Systems and Services - PPN

Ministry of Defence · Tender notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 27 Sept 2026, 14:17.

Opportunity overview

The Gladiator system is a MOD-owned innovative, distributed, synthetic operational training capability that delivers high-fidelity, secure, and cost-effective team and collective training for Force Elements (FE); its agility has also enabled the RAF to use the capability for other modelling and simulation-based activities. It enables training across multiple domains alongside partner nations, and at a scale and complexity not achievable in live environments. By linking simulators to a central hub, Gladiator overcomes real-world constraints such as airspace limitations, costs, environmental factors, and operational security, providing a safe and scalable training solution. SPARTAN is aiming to leverage the technology, systems and services developed by the Gladiator Programme to build a Distributed Synthetic Training Hub to deliver Maritime Collective Training to RN surface units. This will require systems onboard the operational platforms, but the first step is to develop a Hub that can develop, deliver and debrief training scenarios and synthetic tracks via Tactical Data Links. Initially this will be developed using the existing capabilities of Gladiator, but in time SPARTAN will be developing new digital assets, scenarios, terrains to deliver training scenarios that can represent the complexity, mass and speed of modern threats. The Gladiator and Spartan Core Systems and Services Contract seeks to deliver: a. Support, Sustainment and Enhancement of System Capabilities b. Platform Integration and Capability Development c. Interoperability Across Defence Forces d. Incorporation of the Royal Navy SPARTAN Requirements This tender notice is for the award of a public contract through a competitive flexible procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023. It is considered a Defence and Security Contract due to its scope and therefore the relevant provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 relating to defence and security contracts are applicable. The Gladiator & Spartan Core Systems and Services contract will be initially for 5 years. This will be a Service Contract (expected Fully Managed Service). There may be a requirement for additional works outside of the core requirement and a tasking process will be included to cover any additional scope. Certain information required to deliver the Gladiator & Spartan Service is classified up to and including SECRET (UK or NATO). Suppliers must have the necessary Personal Security Clearances (PSCs). Suppliers that do not hold security clearance would need to obtain by contract award. Further security requirements will be detailed during the tender process as part of the PSQ and subsequent invitation to tender. The Cyber Risk Profile for this requirement identified by the Cyber Risk Assessment is High (Reference - RAR-250303A03) It is anticipated that TUPE will apply to this requirement. A previous Planned procurement notice was published under Notice Reference 2026/S 000-046380

Classification

  • CPV80660000 — Training and simulation in military electronic systems

Lots

  • Lot 1£50m

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
715763450
Status
active
Procurement Method
selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Main Procurement Category
services
Above Threshold
Yes
Expression Of Interest Deadline
4 Aug 2026, 12:01
Published risks
Changes in standards and policies, outside of Authority control, may necessitate changes to the contract. This may cost time and money. Changes in the character of conflict or geopolitical landscape may reduce the relevance of the service. This means the supplier will need to adapt the service to keep up with these changes.

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Procedure

Features
The Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) (including Conditions of Participation) is available within the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) and will be used to down-select between 2 and 5 suppliers to be invited to Tender. This will also include the assessment of whether a supplier, its connected persons, associated persons or any intended subcontractors are excluded or excludable persons and whether the suppliers are UK suppliers under the Procurement Act. A clarification process will be used during the PSQ period to allow suppliers to seek clarification from the Authority. Within the PSQ there are a mix of questions: Pass/Fail, a Fail resulting in exclusion from further participation in the tendering process; and scored Questions. For those suppliers who Pass all of the Pass/Fail questions, their overall technical score will determine their ranking. Those ranking in the Top 5 will be invited to Tender. Where there is a tie at Positions 5 and 6 (or more), the decision on which supplier will be Invited to Tender will be based initially on the highest score for question 2.9.4 in the Technical Envelope. Where this still results in a tie, the decision will be based on the highest score for question 2.9.8 and where this still results in a tie the decision will be based on question 2.9.3. Notwithstanding the tie break process above, the Authority reserves the right to invite additional Potential Providers to tender where a tie occurs. Once the selected suppliers have been identified, and prior to the ITT being issued, a Site Visit to the ABTC will be arranged. This will consist of a show-and-tell followed by a Q&A session to enable potential suppliers to gain a deep understanding of the system's inner workings. An Invitation to Tender (ITT) will subsequently be issued to those successful at PSQ. A clarification process will be used during the tendering period to allow suppliers to seek clarification from the Authority. The award criteria will be explained within the Tender Evaluation Strategy, which will be published in the DSP, with the ITT. The Authority reserves the right to refine the award criteria before and – where negotiation/final tenders are used – during the Tender period in accordance with section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023. This may include revision to the weightings of the sub-criteria. The following supplementary processes may be used, with further details set out in the additional tender documents; • Site Visit to System Locations • Clarifications – during the tender evaluation period • Negotiations – following evaluation of the Tender • Supplier presentations / site visits – during the Tender, and Tender Evaluation period • Final Tenders – following negotiations, if used • Preferred Supplier Stage – to confirm solutions and/or finalise the draft contract. The Authority reserves the right to amend the procurement, where such amendment would not be substantial, as follows, including and not limited to; • amendments to the tender documents which may provide clarification • refining the specification as the competitive flexible procedure progresses • reducing timescales. If any amendments are made, the Authority will consider whether any applicable tender deadlines should be revised, and whether any tender documents or notices need to be re-issued.

Special regime

defenceSecurity

Submission terms

Electronic Submission Policy
allowed

Languages

en

Enquiry period

Ends
21 Jul 2026, 12:01

Expected award period

Ends
17 Dec 2027, 23:59

Lot Details

No Lots Division Rationale
1. Due to limited technical SQEP and the significant risk to training delivery presented by multiple systems needing integration there is a risk that the authority is unable to attribute responsibility between different suppliers resulting in an immediate impact to defence national & international training output. 2. Due to multiple supplier relationships required as part of Lots there is a significant risk that supplier, contracting authority and customer relationship breakdowns may result in the failure of integrated service support to delivery of national & international defence exercises.

Contract terms

Financial Terms
All payments will be made through the Authority's Contracting, Purchasing & Finance (CP&F) system (Exostar) and will be in accordance with future contractual arrangements.

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
active
Has Renewal
Yes
Has Options
Yes

Value

Including VAT
60,000,000
Amount
50,000,000
Currency
GBP

Award criteria

Weighting Description
Weighings will be set out in the associated tender documents

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
price
Name
Price
Description
Weighings will be set out in the associated tender documents
Criterion 2
Type
quality
Name
Technical
Description
Weighings will be set out in the associated tender documents
Criterion 3
Type
quality
Name
Commercial
Description
Weighings will be set out in the associated tender documents

Second Stage

Minimum Candidates
2
Maximum Candidates
5

Selection criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Type
economic
Description
Details can be found in the PSQ
Criterion 2
Type
technical
Description
Details can be found in the PSQ
Criterion 3
Description
Within the PSQ there are a mix of questions: Pass/Fail, a Fail resulting in exclusion from further participation in the tendering process; and scored Questions. For those suppliers who Pass all of the Pass/Fail questions, their overall technical score will determine their ranking. Those ranking in the Top 5 will be invited to Tender. Where there is a tie at Positions 5 and 6 (or more), the decision on which supplier will be Invited to Tender will be based initially on the highest score for question 2.9.4 in the Technical Envelope. Where this still results in a tie, the decision will be based on the highest score for question 2.9.8 and where this still results in a tie the decision will be based on question 2.9.3. Notwithstanding the tie break process above, the Authority reserves the right to invite additional Potential Providers to tender where a tie occurs.
For Reduction
Yes

Suitability

Sme
Yes
Vcse
Yes

Contract period

Starts
1 Apr 2028, 00:00
Ends
31 Mar 2033, 23:59
Max Extent Date
31 Mar 2035, 23:59

Renewal

Description
Option to extend the Contract for up to two (2) years in any combination of durations

Options

Description
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid. Option to purchase additional services as required

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
80660000
Description
Training and simulation in military electronic systems

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UK
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Published documents

Entry 1
Id
conflictOfInterest
Document Type
conflictOfInterest
Description
Not published
Entry 2
Id
061201-2026
Document Type
tenderNotice
Notice Type
UK4
Description
Tender notice on Find a Tender
Published
30 Jun 2026, 12:23
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Ministry of Defence
Id
GB-PPON-PHVX-4316-ZVGZ

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PHVX-4316-ZVGZ

Address

Street Address
MOD Abbey Wood
Locality
Bristol
Postal Code
BS34 8JH
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKK12

Contact

Name
Victoria Simmonds

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Bristol · UKK12 · BS34 8JH · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UK · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

4 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

4 VERSIONS
  1. 019735-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  2. 036013-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
  3. 046380-2026Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender ·
  4. 061201-2026Tender notice on Find a Tender ·