715820471 - Pressure Hull Penetrators and Associated Cables and Connectors (PCC) - UK5

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id

ocds-h6vhtk-067b08

Status

complete

Procurement Method

direct

Procurement Method Details

Direct award

Why this procedure was chosen

A direct award of the Contract to AMETEK SCP can be justified in accordance with the Direct Award procedure set out in section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), and in particular, the direct award justification grounds set out in Schedule 5, Paragraphs 6 and 7 of the PA23. The conditions set out at paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 are met as AMETEK SCP is the sole supplier that is technically capable of delivering and integrating PPENs and the associated cabling into Astute Class submarines. AMETEK currently carries out the installation, termination, and sealing of PPENs and cabling using proprietary processes that no other supplier can provide or replicate. This is due to the specialist tooling, technical documentation, and unique processes required to design, manufacture, seal, install, and certify PPENs and related cabling assemblies. The Authority does not hold the rights to access or share this proprietary tooling or technical documentation with third parties, preventing the work from being undertaken by any alternative contractors. In relation to Paragraph 7 of Schedule 5, the PPENs and associated external cabling were originally designed as “fit and forget” equipment and installed during platform construction, when AMETEK was contracted as a supplier to the Authority by BAE Systems. The current requirement concerns the procurement and support of AMETEK owned NSNs, to which only AMETEK holds the rights. Any alternative cabling solutions would be incompatible with the systems already installed and would necessitate a complete redesign, which falls outside the scope of this requirement. Operational availability requirements require a support arrangement that enables rapid deployment to UK and overseas bases, diagnosis of failures, and OEM‑backed repair. This requires immediate access to AMETEK spares, tooling, and SQEP personnel. Given the bespoke nature of the equipment, proprietary processes and technical documentation involved, and ITAR controls, AMETEK have been identified as the only supplier that can deliver this requirement. It is the Authority’s position, for the reasons set out above, that only AMETEK can meet the Authority’s requirements for both supply and technical support of the AMETEK-owned NSNs for Astute Class submarines.

Lots and requirements

Published documents

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Award information

Recorded locations

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