Defence Online

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Ref: (2024/S 000-002456/EN)
Nature of contract: Service contract
Procedure: Negotiated without a call for competition
Type of bid required: Not applicable

Voluntary ex ante transparency notice
Services

Section I: Contracting authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Official name: Ministry of Defence
Postal address: DE&S, Land Equipment, Dismounted Close Combat, MOD Abbey Wood  
Town: Bristol
Postal code: BS34 8JH
Country: United Kingdom
Email: neena.sahauli100@mod.gov.uk
Internet address(es):
Main address:

I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local sub-divisions
I.5) Main activity
Defence

Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title: 704656450 FNHUK Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI) Project  

Reference number: 704656450 FNHUK Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI) Project  
II.1.2) Main CPV code: 50620000
II.1.3) Type of contract Services
II.1.4) Short Description:
The Authority intends to award a contract to FNH UK Ltd for the Midlife Improvement in respect of the UK Armed Forces Commands in-service fleet of Heavy Machine Gun (HMG).  
II.1.6) Information about lots
The contract is divided into lots: no
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement(excluding VAT)
Value:40000000.00
Currency:GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
Nuts code: Main site or place of performance:FNH UK Limited, Phoenix House, Slade Green Road, Erith, Kent, DA8 2HU  

II.2.4) Description of the procurement
This contract will enable the Authority to undertake the Mid Life improvement requirements for the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) that will ensure the UK Armed Forces Commands can meet their enduring and future capability needs.

II.2.5) Award criteria
II.2.11) Information about options
Options: no
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated procedure without publication of a contract notice(in accordance with Article 28 of Directive 2009/81/EU)
IV.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement(GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: no
IV.2) Administrative information

Section V: Award of contract/concession
Contract No: 704656450
Title: FNHUK Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI) Project  

V.2) Award of contract/concession
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession award decision:2024-01-24
V.2.2) Information about tenders
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Official name: FNH UK Limited
Postal address: Phoenix House, Slade Green Road, Erith
Town: Kent
Postal code: DA8 2HU
Country: United Kingdom
Nuts code:
The contractor is an SME: no

V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession(excluding VAT)
for framework agreements – total maximum value for this lot
for contracts based on framework agreements, if required – value of contract(s) for this lot not included in
previous contract award notices
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Value or proportion likely to be subcontracted to third parties

Section VI: Complementary informationVI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Official name: DE&S
Postal address: Land Equipment, Dismounted Close Combat, MOD Abbey Wood
Town: Bristol
Postal code: Bs34 8JH
Country: United Kingdom

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice:
2024-01-24

Justification for the award of the contract without prior publication of a call for
competition in the Official Journal of the European Union
1.Justification for the choice of the negotiated procedure without publication of a call for competition in accordance with
Article 28 of Directive 2009/81/EU

No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to:
negotiated procedure with prior publication of a contract notice

The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment,study or development under the conditions
stated in the directive(for services and supplies only)
The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights

3.Explanation
Please explain in a clear and comprehensive manner why the award of the contract without prior publication in the Official Journal of the European Union
is lawful, by stating the relevant facts and, as appropriate, the conclusions of law in accordance with the directive:
The Dismounted Close Combat programme team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to place a 5-year contract with FNH UK Ltd for the Mid Life Improvement of the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG).
This is because FNH UK Ltd are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and are the only economic entity with access to the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the HMG comprised in this contract. FNH UK Ltd are the only economic entity with the capability and access necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority’s specification, maintains the operational performance and effectiveness of the weapon system, and ability to underwrite the integrity of the modifications to the weapons systems as a result of a safety investigation.