- Id
- 701555457
- Status
- complete
- Procurement Method
- direct
- Procurement Method Details
- Direct award
- Why this procedure was chosen
- The National Armaments Director Group (NADG), part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), intends to amend Contract 701555457 with Amsafe Bridport Limited for the provision of Helicopter Under Slung Load Equipment (HUSLE), Airdrop Cargo Nets and associated Post Design Services (PDS) and the provision of Cargo Nets. In accordance with Provision 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 It is considered that the amendment of the contract without prior publication of a tender notice in the UK e-notification service (as required by the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with Schedule 5, para 6 of the Procurement Act 2023 due to the absence of viable alternatives for technical reasons.
This amendment enables further procurement of Airdrop Cargo Nets and associated equipment to maintain operational readiness. Airdrop Cargo Nets are an essential component of the Maritime Modular Platform (MMP), Supply Platform Aerial Delivery (SPAD), Light Stores (LS) and Container Delivery System (CDS), directly supporting Front Line Command operational requirements. These systems collectively deliver four major UK capabilities that: Small Boats Aerial Delivery, Maritime Resupply, Land Resupply, and Humanitarian Aid. This amendment also covers Post Design Services (PDS) activity, including review and reissue of airworthiness documentation required to sustain the equipment through to Contract Expiry in June 2027.
The current contract duration will remain the same. This planned Amendment will increase the Contract value by £1,344,800.00 excluding VAT from the current Contract value of £17,429,584.00 (seventeen million, four hundred and twenty nine thousand, five hundred and eighty four GBP) to a Total Contract value of £18,774,384.00 (eighteen million, seven hundred and seventy four thousand, three hundred and eighty four GBP) excluding VAT.
It is considered that this Contract Amendment can be placed using the Direct Award procedure without prior publication of a tender notice pursuant to Schedule 5, para 6 of the Procurement Act 2023 on the basis that there is an absence of viable alternative suppliers for technical reasons meaning any Contract for this requirement may be awarded only to Amsafe Bridport Limited.
Amsafe Bridport Limited was originally selected as the supplier for Airdrop Cargo Nets and HUSLE following a competitive procurement process. The original requirement was advertised at a value of between £12,000,000.00 and £20,000,000.00 excluding VAT. Amsafe Bridport Limited are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Organisation (DO) for the Airdrop Cargo Nets and HUSLE supplied under this Contract. As a result, this company alone holds the requisite proprietary design data, manufacturing expertise, and qualification evidence necessary to produce items that meet the required military airworthiness and safety standards. Introducing an alternative supplier would necessitate extensive requalification activity, which would adversely affect operational readiness and the Authority's ability to meet urgent Aerial Delivery requirements. Awarding this amendment to any other organisation would therefore pose unacceptable safety and operational risks. The MOD is currently formulating it’s longer term strategy and will look to engage with the market to explore potential options for a future competition.
You must not take this announcement to mean confirmation that MOD shall award a contract amendment for this requirement. The MOD is publishing this announcement without any commitment to issue a tender or place a contract. Accordingly, any expenditure, work or effort undertaken before contract award is a matter solely for the commercial judgement of potential suppliers or sub-contractors. Announcements may also be published on the Defence Sourcing Portal, or the Find a Tender service, as appropriate.