Defence Online

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Ref: 036013/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: Ministry of Defence
National registration number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ

Postal address: MOD Abbey Wood
Town: Bristol
Region: Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Postal code: BS34 8JH
Country: United Kingdom

Contact Person: Harry Partridge
Email: harry.partridge101@mod.gov.uk

Internet address

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

II) Object
II.1.1) Title
Gladiator and Spartan Core Systems and Services – PME
Reference number: 715763450

II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
Special regime
DefenceSecurity

II.1.4) Short description
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

II.1.5) Estimated Total Value
Value (including VAT)
60,000,000
Value (excluding VAT)
50,000,000
Currency
GBP

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

II.2.2) CPV codes
Main CPV codes
48931000
75220000
80660000

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

II.2.7) Contract dates (estimated)
Start
2028-04-01 00:00
End
2032-03-31 23:59
Duration
4 years
Possible extension
2034-03-31 23:59
Extended duration
6 years
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes

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
2026-04-21 11:43

VI.6) Engagement information
Engagement deadline
2026-05-08 23:59
Engagement process description
Following the Gladiator and Spartan Industry engagement day that took place on the 30th March 2026 at TechUK, London potential tenderers are invited to provide a response to a Request for Information (RFI), seeking further industry feedback on the construct of the requirement and the Contract.
The RFI, the slide deck presented at the Engagement Day, and the Authority’s responses to questions received, condensed where possible to avoid repetition, are attached to the opportunity listing linked here:

The instructions for providing responses to the RFI are contained within the RFI document.
In order for suppliers to contract with MOD, under the terms of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23), suppliers must first sign-up to the Central Digital Platform / Find a Tender Service (CDP/FTS).
Therefore, any suppliers who are potentially interested in tendering for the Future Gladiator and Spartan requirement are strongly encouraged to sign-up at the earliest possible opportunity.
This is a very quick process and should only take a matter of minutes to sign up via the below link: