Official UK procurement notice
Army support for integration and maintenance of edge, computation and storage capabilities
Authority: Ministry of Defence (Central government)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Authority requires support to integrate and maintain Google Cloud Platform (GCP) edge, storage, and compute capabilities. Under this contract, the supplier will deliver full integration of workloads into the Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) application, along with all associated architectural documentation, software engineering, and automation.
This contract will enable key Army objectives and exercises scheduled over the coming year.
The requirement underpins the Army’s need to develop a next‑generation, deployable edge compute and storage capability operating at SECRET. This capability must integrate with the Hyperscale Cloud Solution (HCS) and host mission‑critical decision‑support and targeting workloads within contested environments. It is essential for demonstrating credible readiness and deterrence, as well as reducing risk to future delivery decisions through controlled deployment, testing, and evaluation of a secure edge architecture.
As the requirement aligns with the Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) Appliance, the service will be delivered by British Telecommunications plc (BT), which holds exclusive rights to provide this capability.
This is exclusively a Professional Services Contract.
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedProcedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Direct award
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- 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
- 11 Mar 2026, 18:07 GMT
- Last source update
- 11 Mar 2026, 18:07 GMT
- Authority reference
DDAI024B- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-022057- Latest notice
- Transparency notice (UK5)
- Delivery area
- Not published
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0667c7Find a Tender
- Why no open competition
- Prototypes Development; Single Suppliers Intellectual Property Exclusive Rights; Defence Security Operational
- Published justification
PA23 – S5, P2 (“Prototype and Development”). This contract is for a professional service to a Supplier who possesses exclusive rights for the service. This contract will be used to test the suitability of both the service provided, and of the hardware managed throughout. Further, the service provided under this contract should be considered a minimum level of experimentation / study. The activity is undertaken to inform future delivery decisions and does not constitute full scale rollout
PA23 – S5, P5, (a) (“Single Supplier – Exclusive Rights”). Due to the Suppliers possession of exclusive rights granted by the owner of the hardware, only the chosen Supplier can provide this service. No reasonable alternative exists that can meet the requirement without unacceptable risk(s) to schedule, safety or delivery outcomes.
PA23 – S5, P20, (“Defence and Security”). The contract is a Defence Authority Contract and must be awarded directly to enhance operational capability, readiness, safety and security of the armed forces. The requirement involves sensitive systems, classified infrastructure and access to SECRET level environments. Further, the requirement is deemed the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and does not reflect any further roll out or comittment.
Notice history
2 events · 1 release on Find a Tender · since 11 Mar 2026- Transparency notice published11 Mar 2026, 18:07 GMTUK5
- Contract signature expected25 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Telecommunications PlcIntegration and Maintenance of Air‑Gapped Devices1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2027 | £3,700,000 | — | Standstill |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- BRITISH TELECOMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANYAwarded supplier
Official documents & specifications (1)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender