Defence Online

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Ref: 030640/S 000-2026
Nature of contract: Service contract
Procedure: Not specified
Regulation of procurement: Not applicable
Type of bid required: Not applicable

UKPGA UK2: Preliminary Market Engagement Notice

I) Contracting Authority/Entity
I.1) Name and addresses
Official name: Defence Infrastructure Organisation
National registration number: PPWG-8368-RJMG

Postal address: St George’s House, DMS Whittington
Town: Lichfield
Region: Staffordshire CC
Postal code: WS149PY
Country: United Kingdom

Email: DIOComrcl-FEP@mod.gov.uk

I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Public authority – central government

II) Object
II.1.1) Title
Offsite Direct Wire Power Purchase Agreement (RAF Wittering)
Reference number: ocds-h6vhtk-0660b7

II.1.3) Type of contract
Services

II.1.4) Short description
Objectives: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is seeking Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) to reduce unit electricity costs, increase site energy resilience, limit price volatility risk from its energy portfolio, and support emissions reductions aligned with Government policy.
PPA Type: Renewable energy supply for the RAF Wittering site via off-site direct wire connection.
Target contract start date: 14/02/28.
Volume: Procure power generation to meet up to approximately 2-5GWh/year of electricity consumption for RAF Wittering (total annual consumption of approximately 7.9GWh/year). Provision of higher offtake volumes is dependent on the ability to demonstrate value for money in energy costs achieved and resilience provision. Further, the site demand is expected to grow over the next ~15yrs, potentially 4-fold in electrical demand as more capability is brought onto site and the site decarbonises. Input on ability to support increasing scaling of volume, whilst minimising customer risk is sought.
Sites: This procurement is for one site only at RAF Wittering, Peterborough through an off-site arrangement using a private wire.
Contract duration: Seeking competitive energy prices for up to 25 years, with potential option to extend.
Technology: Open to competitive proposals for Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) compliant technologies.
The details provided in this notice are early indicative estimates and may be subject to change/refinement as a result of ongoing analysis and data collection.
Previous market engagement: A virtual two‑hour supplier engagement session was held on 04/03/2025 to test early market views on high‑level PPA options and to support MOD’s understanding of market capabilities. Suppliers expressed strong appetite to engage and highlighted key considerations including avoiding over‑specification, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and addressing grid‑connection and MOD site factors that will shape the delivery approach.
Social Value (SV): SV is a mandatory consideration in UK Government procurement. Any potential future tender will be assessed against the Government’s Social Value Model themes, ensuring delivery approaches contribute meaningful economic, social, and environmental benefits. Specific Model Award Criteria (MACs) to be utilised within the tender process will be confirmed should the requirement be taken forward.
Modern Slavery: MOD must consider the potential of modern slavery at all stages of the procurement lifecycle. Please note this information will be required as part of the procurement process but is not required at this stage.

II.1.5) Estimated Total Value
Value (including VAT)
43,800,000
Value (excluding VAT)
36,500,000
Currency
GBP

II.2) Description
II.2.1) Title
Contract/Lot No
1

II.2.2) CPV codes
Main CPV code
71314000

II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code
UK – United Kingdom

II.2.7) Contract dates (estimated)
Start
2028-02-14 00:00
End
2053-02-13 23:59
Duration
25 years

III) Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)

VI) Complementary information
Link to source/bidding documents

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
2026-04-02 07:28

VI.6) Engagement information
Engagement deadline
2026-05-22 23:59
Engagement process description
Preliminary Market Engagement (PME): MOD is seeking to undertake PME to better understand common market practices and to refine the approach for a potential future procurement. MOD would greatly appreciate your engagement and assures suppliers that all responses will be carefully considered but will not bind MOD to any particular approach to the procurement, nor will responses be treated as conveying any promise or commitment on the part of the respondent.
Preliminary Market Engagement will include:
(a) An optional Market Sounding Questionnaire (MSQ). For your feedback to be considered, your completed MSQ must be received by 12:00 noon on 24/04/26.
(b) An optional virtual Supplier Day 09:30–12:30, 05/05/26, via Microsoft Teams, open to all interested parties.
(c) Virtual interviews informed by responses to the MSQ. The proposed dates for the interviews are 11/05/26 to 22/05/26.
To indicate your interest in attending the virtual Supplier Day, and to request a link to the MSQ, please email DIOComrcl-FEP@mod.gov.uk noting your interest is in RAF Wittering.
The purpose of the MSQ is to gather insights from the market and identify parties for virtual interview. Virtual interviews will use a standardised question set. Due to anticipated demand and MOD staff capacity, parties invited to interview may be limited to suppliers identified through the MSQ that:
(a) Are a renewable energy developer,
(b) Hold direct wire PPA development experience in the UK, and
(c) Have PPA development experience with projects of a similar size. If required, developers will be prioritised for interview based on extent of relevant experience, to maximise insights gathered.
MOD may conduct multiple interview rounds and adjust the engagement approach or timelines as the PPA programme evolves. PME is intended to be closed by 22/05/26.
Any information shared by MOD during the supplier day and/or other market engagement will be made publicly available to all parties as part of the UK4 tender notice, should the procurement proceed.
PME will have no bearing on which suppliers will be invited to participate the tender process. Furthermore, it does not constitute a commitment by the Ministry of Defence to initiate any public procurement activity. This engagement will be conducted in line with the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and proportionality under the Procurement Act 2023.
Conflict of Interest (COI): All suppliers must identify and disclose any actual or potential COI at the earliest opportunity. This includes any relationships, prior involvement, or circumstances that could affect impartiality. For transparency purposes, if you have a potential or known COI, you must email DIOComrcl-FEP@mod.gov.uk
Please note, Clarification Questions are not open at this time.
The DIOComrcl-FEP@mod.gov.uk multi-user should only be used to register interest in attending the supplier day, requesting access to the MSQ (and any technical related issues) and / or COI declarations. Any direct or indirect approach to MOD employees or agents regarding this requirement, or any attempt to obtain information from MOD staff outside of the formal procedures outlined in this notice, will not be acknowledged.