Defence Online

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Ref: 042113/S 000-2026
Nature of contract: Supply 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 Equipment and Support
National registration number: PVRL-5831-GLMM

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

Email: DESCommercial-PPA@mod.gov.uk

Internet address

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

II) Object
II.1.1) Title
715794488 – PPA/017 – Naval Firefighting Helmet & Communication System
Reference number: PPA/017

II.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
Special regime
DefenceSecurity

II.1.4) Short description
Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), Power, Propulsion and Auxiliaries (PPA), on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, is exploring options to procure a replacement Firefighting Helmet & Communication System (FFHCS) for use aboard Royal Navy vessels. The helmets are expected to integrate with existing personal protective equipment, radio systems, and ancillary equipment.
PPA supports multiple defence areas by delivering and sustaining systems that generate energy, provide propulsion, and enable cross-cutting auxiliary functions aboard naval vessels, including domestic, fire and rescue, and catering systems.

II.1.5) Estimated Total Value
Value (including VAT)
8,400,000
Value (excluding VAT)
7,000,000
Currency
GBP

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

II.2.2) CPV codes
Main CPV codes
18143000
32342300
32344280
35113400
35711000

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

II.2.7) Contract dates (estimated)
Start
2026-12-01 00:00
End
2033-11-30 23:59
Duration
7 years
Possible extension
2035-11-30 23:59
Extended duration
9 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
2026-05-07 16:14

VI.6) Engagement information
Engagement deadline
2026-05-31 23:59
Engagement process description
Scope of the Engagement
Suppliers are invited to participate in preliminary market engagement activities which may include:
• Reviewing and providing feedback on a draft technical specification for firefighting helmets and integrated communication systems;
• Commenting on technical feasibility, standards, interoperability, and integration with existing Royal Navy firefighting PPE and radio systems; and
• Optionally offering sample helmets and communication components that may meet the draft requirement, to support the Authority’s understanding of available solutions.
Any samples provided will be used solely to inform requirement development and will not be subject to formal evaluation or comparison.
Conduct of the Engagement
This engagement is conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 and relevant MOD commercial policy. It is not a call for competition.
Participation is voluntary and will not provide any supplier with an advantage in any subsequent procurement. The Authority will take appropriate steps to ensure that competition is not distorted.
Supplier feedback may be used to refine the Authority’s requirement and procurement strategy. Where information is shared more widely, it will be summarised and anonymised to protect commercial sensitivities.
No Commitment
The Authority is not obliged to proceed with a procurement following this engagement. Any future opportunity will be advertised separately.
Any costs incurred by suppliers in participating in this engagement, including the provision of samples, are incurred at the supplier’s own risk.
Suppliers wishing to participate in this preliminary market engagement should engage as follows:
• Register interest by responding to this notice in accordance with the instructions set out below.
• Review the draft specification provided by the Authority and submit written feedback, comments, or observations by the stated deadline.
• Clearly identify any assumptions, constraints, or dependencies associated with their feedback, including standards, certifications, or interoperability considerations.
• Optionally, offer sample helmets and associated communication components that may meet the draft requirement. Any samples offered must be clearly described and provided on a no commitment basis.
• Submit all responses and supporting information in writing via the method specified in this notice. Informal approaches outside this process will not be considered.
Participation
Please review the draft cardinal specification sheet and complete the questionnaire. Both documents are available on the Defence Sourcing Portal here:

Once complete, please return the questionnaire to DESCommercial-PPA@mod.gov.uk, ensuring you include PPA/017 in the subject line.
If you have indicated you wish to offer samples, an MOD representative will be in contact to confirm delivery arrangements.