ADWiMS/003 (Karkinos Two) UK5

CPV: Repair and maintenance services of military electronic systems

Procedure method

Direct award

Legal basis

UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023

Procurement category

Services

Notice status

Awarded without competition

Procurement threshold

Unspecified in notice

Regulatory regime

Defence & security

Commercial structure

Stand-alone contract (no framework)

Competition type

Direct award (no call for competition)

GPA / WTO covered

Unspecified in notice

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

21 May 2025, 10:36 BST

Last source update

27 Mar 2026, 10:13 GMT

Authority reference

714918451

FTS notice number

2026/S 000-028339

Latest notice

Transparency notice (UK5)

Classification (CPV)

Repair and maintenance services of military electronic systems

Delivery area

UK

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-0519fb Find a Tender

Why no open competition

Single Suppliers Technical Reasons

Published justification

It is considered that the contract can be awarded directly in accordance with Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 together with paragraph 6 (absence of competition for technical reasons) of Schedule 5.

The technical data for the Lockheed Martin Air Defence Radar Systems is controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Authority does not have the rights to release the relevant technical data for the purposes of competitive tendering nor does it have access to the relevant software codes and/or compiler information necessary for another contractor to perform the contract.

Lockheed Martin Global Inc. is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and is unwilling to allow any Direct Competitor the rights to the export controlled technical data. Access to this technical data and to the OEM’s expertise as Design Authority is critical for the safe and effective maintenance and operation of the Radar Systems. Therefore, only non-competitors, such as Serco Limited, could have access to the necessary technical data that is required to deliver the Contractor Logistic Support for the Lockheed Martin Air Defence Radar Systems.

Serco Limited is an established and long-standing partner with Lockheed Martin and fully complies with Lockheed Martin’s supply chain requirements. Given the age of the Radar systems, Serco have demonstrated deep historical knowledge of component-level repair/replacement requirements and provide excellent support capabilities with technical advice from Lockheed Martin that cannot be assumed with alternate support contractors. Serco possess bespoke test beds and rigs that they have created. The importance of this test equipment is growing as the age of the assets means that more components approach Beyond Economic Repair status. These test tools are not Authority owned and therefore would not be available to a new supplier.

Another support contractor may not have the knowledge to fully support Lockheed Martin systems and comply with Lockheed Martin policies and procedures. With Serco’s knowledge of the system and over 20 years of operational and maintenance support, Lockheed Martin would be able to continue supporting Operational Availability requirements. Operational Availability is an essential component of the Authority’s requirement.

Therefore, it is considered that only Serco Limited can deliver the Authority’s Operational Availability requirements – which is an essential component of Contractor Logistic Support - in partnership with Lockheed Martin, due to Serco’s access to the required technical data, access to the OEM’s expertise, and Serco’s own technical knowledge and tools.

Submission deadline

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• Serco LimitedAwarded supplierGB-COH: 00242246 Serco House, 16 Bartley Wood Business Park, Bartley Way, Hook, South East, RG27 9UYContact emailShow contact details