Official UK procurement notice
Design Systems Intrgation Partner (DSIP)
Authority: Ministry of Defence (Central government)
What is being bought5 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe Ministry of Defence (as the “Authority”) has awarded a Call‑Off Contract under the Digital Decision Accelerators for Defence (DDAD) Open Framework, under Lot 5 (Services).
The Authority has awarded the Design Systems Integration Partner (DSIP) contract to support ASGARD DECIDE's delivery of a software‑defined, system‑of‑systems capability for operational decision‑making, targeting, data fusion, and cross‑domain digital fires.
Under this Contract, Rowden Technologies Ltd (as the "Supplier”) will deliver system‑level design authority, technical integration leadership, engineering support, and build/test activities required to ensure ASGARD DECIDE is coherent, interoperable, secure, and operationally effective. The DSIP will design, assemble, integrate, and evolve the capability using modular, standards‑driven architectural principles and will operate within an Authority‑led governance model alongside multiple vendors.
The 'core' Contract covers the period from 26 February until 31 March 2026, with an Authority‑held option to extend until 31 March 2027. Delivery is conducted through a hybrid in‑person/remote model, with required presence at Army Headquarters Andover and other MOD locations. All work is carried out in compliance with the Security Aspects Letter, requiring handling of OFFICIAL‑SENSITIVE information and adherence to MOD cyber, security, and accreditation requirements.
The content of this contract concerns operationally critical defence capabilities and includes information classified as OFFICIAL‑SENSITIVE. Disclosure of further detail beyond that published in this notice would risk compromising national security, operational effectiveness, and sensitive technical, architectural, and integration dependencies. For this reason, no additional information will be released
- How the procedure runs: The Digital Decisions Accelerators for Defence (DDAD), Open Framework will be a multi-supplier agreement that falls under the scope of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23). The MOD plans to run a streamlined two-stage competitive flexible procedure prior to awarding a fixed number of Supplier's against each Lot on the framework. The Commercial Process for the DDAD Framework will have the following components: • Stage 1 - Condition of Participation (COP): Prospective Candidates wishing to participate in this opportunity must submit a complete and compliant response to this opportunity on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) before the deadline. The deadline for Candidates to submit their response is the 3 September 2025, at 17:00 BST. This pre-qualification stage is focused on determining which Suppliers are technically capable and best suited to delivering the required services, and therefore, offer the most value to the MOD. This stage will be broken down into the following scored sections (non scored questions have not been detailed here): Technical and Professional Ability (60% Weighting). 1. Relevant Experience and Contract Examples. 2. Supply Chain. 3. Product Authenticity and Maturity 1. 4. Product Authenticity and Maturity 2. 5. Open and Modular Architecture. Additional Questions (40% Weighting). 6. Collaborative by Nature. 7. Scalable by Design. 8. Land Industrial Strategy (LIS). 9. Commitment to Research and Development (R&D). Question 1 shall be weighted at 20%, whilst all other questions shall be weighted at 10% each. The MOD anticipates it will take through seven (7) Candidates per lot through to the next Stage, accept for the Accelerants lot where it intends to take through fourteen (14). For defintive clarity, the MOD will be using Stage 1 to down-select Candidates, and as such will only take approximately 42 Candidates through to the Stage 2. In reality this number may be slightly higher (in the event of tied scores) or lower (in the event of a singular Candidate being taken through for multiple lots. Further information is available within the guidance documents. • Stage 2 - Invitation To Tender (ITT): Candidates successful at Stage 1 will be invited to the next Stage in the procurement process. Stage 2 will be a more detailed, focussed, assessment of Suppliers' capabilities in response to a list of questions set by the MOD. Stage 2 will include: - 3 x Technical Questions (Scored) - 1 x Social Value (Scored) - 1 x 30 minute Presentation (Scored) - Financial Assessment (Scored) Please note Stage 2 questions will be 'lot-specific' and, therfore, require different responses from Candidates wishing to bid against multiple lots. Candidates should be aware that no extra time is provided for those who wish to bid against multiple lots, albeit they are free to do so. • Stage 3 - Framework Award: Candidates with the Most Advantageous Tenders (MAT) at Stage 2 will be invited to sign the DDAD Framework Agreement and subsequently be awarded a place on the Framework. Candidates are required to sign the DDAD Framework Agreement before being awarded a place onto the Framework. All Candidates from Stage 2 will receive an assessment summary letter that explains their award or rejection based on their response to the ITT. • Stage 4 - Framework Call-Off: Successful Candidates from Stage 3 will be appointed a place on a lot within the Framework in readiness for the MOD to utilise ("Call-Off") via the running of a streamlined competitive process. It is up to the MOD, and with consideration to its unique requirements, in how they structure their competitive Call-Off process, however as a minimum this competition will feature a Financial and Social Value component. After a successful competition (as decided by the MOD), the MOD shall award work to the highest scoring Supplier(s).
CPV: Data services · Software programming and consultancy services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- every call-off is a further competition among the appointed suppliers
- Framework period
- 4 yrs · up to 6 yrs from 13 Nov 2025
- Scheme runs until
- 13 Nov 2031
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
2% of call-off value · The Authority is considering the use of franchise agreements with Allied Nations. Further information on this will be made clear at the ITT stage.
Who may buy through it
Other Defence and closely related agencies.
Published description of the framework
This Framework is intended to operate as a route to market that offers innovation and scalability to the Authority. This framework will support succesful Suppliers in obtaining relevant security clearences and other required processes to allow them to interface with the Authority's processes. This has the effect of mitigating assumptions and estimates in responses.
Mechanically, the framework utilisation ("Call-Off") will be via the running of a streamlined competitive process. This may involve the Authority issuing a Problem Statement, Scenario, or Issue Identifier, and asking for responses from Suppliers in the lot. Responses will be scored (including a quality / price consideration) and work awarded to the highest scoring Supplier(s).
The DDAD framework is designed to cover various differing requirements across its multiple lots. Therefore, an overarching pricing and incentive model will not be placed over all lots.
Rather, the pricing and incentive mechanisms will be developed over time and agreed at the point of the Authority entering into a contract with a Supplier(s). This approach allows the tailoring of pricing and incentives to the exact nature of the goods, services or other works being sourced.
If the Authority decides to change this under a future re-opening of the framework, it shall duly contact Suppliers as a part of the process.
Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure
5 lots · all with a published value · a supplier may bid for at most 2 and win at most 2 of them · same conditions of participation on every lot · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 5 lots carries the same published figure, £180,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Data IntegrationRenewalceiling above
This lot focuses on advanced data integration capabilities beyond traditional Extract-Transform-Load or Extract-Load-Transform methods. Solutions should offer configurable connectors, orchestration tools, real-time ingestion, and metadata-driven management. Emphasis should be on reducing long-term integration costs and increasing operational transparency. Basic cloud storage and compute will be covered elsewhere; this lot covers higher-level functions like data validation, cataloguing, and lineage tracking. It will form the backbone for delivering trusted datasets supporting critical operations.
- Technical & professional ability
Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO9001: 2105 (Quality Management System). Both qualifications are required prior to Contract Award.
Lot #2AcceleratorsRenewalceiling above
This lot provides accelerators to enhance data-driven decision-making. Solutions should support model development, machine learning operations, synthetic data usage, and real-time inference. The focus is on reducing time-to-insight and improving operational efficiency. Foundational compute services are covered in other lots. This lot targets intelligent capabilities such as automated workflows, pre-trained models, and integration with operational systems.
- Technical & professional ability
Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO9001: 2105 (Quality Management System). Both qualifications are required prior to Contract Award.
Lot #3ApplicationsRenewalceiling above
This lot supports rapid development and management of enterprise-grade applications. Solutions should enable microservices, continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment, observability, and secure deployments. Focus areas include fast delivery, scalability, and continuous innovation. Core infrastructure will be handled in other lots; this lot addresses platforms and services enabling mission-critical software to operate efficiently and securely across the enterprise.
- Technical & professional ability
Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO9001: 2105 (Quality Management System). Both qualifications are required prior to Contract Award.
Lot #4Edge Storage and ComputeRenewalceiling above
This lot focuses on edge computing and local storage for real-time, low-latency data processing. Solutions should include containerized edge nodes, tiered storage, and resilient, secure connectivity. Emphasis is on supporting distributed environments with limited or intermittent connectivity. Centralized compute and storage will be addressed separately. This lot is essential for scalable, autonomous operations at the edge.
- Technical & professional ability
Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO9001: 2105 (Quality Management System). Both qualifications are required prior to Contract Award.
Lot #5ServicesAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Technical & professional ability
Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO9001: 2105 (Quality Management System). Both qualifications are required prior to Contract Award.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Technical and Professional Ability: 60%
- Additional Questions: 40%
Published award criteria (2)
- Technical and Professional Ability: This section of the Stage 1 COP will test: (1) Relevant Experience and Contract Examples, (2) Supply Chain, (3) Product Authenticity and Maturity 1, (4) Product Authenticity and Maturity 2, (5) Open and Modular Architecture. Question 1 is weighted at 20%, all other questions are weighted at 10%
- Additional Questions: This section of the Stage 1 COP will test: (1) Collaborative by Nature, (2) Scalable by Design, (3) Land Industrial Strategy (LIS), (4) Commitment to Research and Development (R&D). All questions at this stage are weighted at 10%.
- Technical & professional ability
Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO9001: 2105 (Quality Management System). Both qualifications are required prior to Contract Award.
- “Design Systems Intrgation Partner (DSIP)” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: each call-off is a further competition, so the pricing contest starts after appointment.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Defence & security
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- Who may use this agreement
- Other Defence and closely related agencies. · open scheme: new suppliers can join during the term
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 23 May 2025, 16:19 BST
- Last source update
- 30 Mar 2026, 17:11 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 13 Nov 2025
- Authority reference
DDAD/005/001- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-049778- Accelerated
- Qualifying planned procurement notice
- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05245dFind a Tender- Contract terms summary
The DDAD framework is designed to cover various differing requirements across its multiple lots. Therefore, a singular pricing and incentive model will not be placed over all lots.
Rather, the pricing and incentive mechanisms will be developed over time and agreed at the point of the Authority entering into a contract with a Supplier(s). This approach allows the tailoring of pricing and incentives to the exact nature of the goods, services or other works being sourced.
If the Authority decides to change this under a future re-opening of the framework, it shall duly contact Suppliers as a part of the process.
- How it runs
The Digital Decisions Accelerators for Defence (DDAD), Open Framework will be a multi-supplier agreement that falls under the scope of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23).
The MOD plans to run a streamlined two-stage competitive flexible procedure prior to awarding a fixed number of Supplier's against each Lot on the framework.
The Commercial Process for the DDAD Framework will have the following components:
- Stage 1 - Condition of Participation (COP):
Prospective Candidates wishing to participate in this opportunity must submit a complete and compliant response to this opportunity on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) before the deadline. The deadline for Candidates to submit their response is the 3 September 2025, at 17:00 BST.
This pre-qualification stage is focused on determining which Suppliers are technically capable and best suited to delivering the required services, and therefore, offer the most value to the MOD.
This stage will be broken down into the following scored sections (non scored questions have not been detailed here):
Technical and Professional Ability (60% Weighting).
- Relevant Experience and Contract Examples.
- Supply Chain.
- Product Authenticity and Maturity 1.
- Product Authenticity and Maturity 2.
- Open and Modular Architecture.
Additional Questions (40% Weighting).
- Collaborative by Nature.
- Scalable by Design.
- Land Industrial Strategy (LIS).
- Commitment to Research and Development (R&D).
Question 1 shall be weighted at 20%, whilst all other questions shall be weighted at 10% each. The MOD anticipates it will take through seven (7) Candidates per lot through to the next Stage, accept for the Accelerants lot where it intends to take through fourteen (14).
For defintive clarity, the MOD will be using Stage 1 to down-select Candidates, and as such will only take approximately 42 Candidates through to the Stage 2. In reality this number may be slightly higher (in the event of tied scores) or lower (in the event of a singular Candidate being taken through for multiple lots. Further information is available within the guidance documents.
- Stage 2 - Invitation To Tender (ITT):
Candidates successful at Stage 1 will be invited to the next Stage in the procurement process. Stage 2 will be a more detailed, focussed, assessment of Suppliers' capabilities in response to a list of questions set by the MOD. Stage 2 will include:
- 3 x Technical Questions (Scored)
- 1 x Social Value (Scored)
- 1 x 30 minute Presentation (Scored)
- Financial Assessment (Scored)
Please note Stage 2 questions will be 'lot-specific' and, therfore, require different responses from Candidates wishing to bid against multiple lots. Candidates should be aware that no extra time is provided for those who wish to bid against multiple lots, albeit they are free to do so.
- Stage 3 - Framework Award:
Candidates with the Most Advantageous Tenders (MAT) at Stage 2 will be invited to sign the DDAD Framework Agreement and subsequently be awarded a place on the Framework. Candidates are required to sign the DDAD Framework Agreement before being awarded a place onto the Framework. All Candidates from Stage 2 will receive an assessment summary letter that explains their award or rejection based on their response to the ITT.
- Stage 4 - Framework Call-Off:
Successful Candidates from Stage 3 will be appointed a place on a lot within the Framework in readiness for the MOD to utilise ("Call-Off") via the running of a streamlined competitive process. It is up to the MOD, and with consideration to its unique requirements, in how they structure their competitive Call-Off process, however as a minimum this competition will feature a Financial and Social Value component. After a successful competition (as decided by the MOD), the MOD shall award work to the highest scoring Supplier(s).
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 8 Sept 2025, 17:00 BST
- Appointment period ends
- 18 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 31 Aug 2025, 17:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
call-off levy · 2% of call-off value · The Authority is considering the use of franchise agreements with Allied Nations. Further information on this will be made clear at the ITT stage.
The Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) has been chosen as the designated e-Procurement tool for Defence. This opportunity will be hosted on the DSP and Candidates are required to submit their response on the DSP.
The DSP Project can be found on the below link:
contracts.mod.uk/esop/ogc-host/public… ↗
PLEASE NOTE: You must be signed into your DSP account, access the "PQQ Open to all Suppliers", and search for the "DDAD" opportunity (Project ref.: 62151880)
Timeline
23 May 2025 → 30 Mar 2026 · 9 dates- Planning notice published23 May 2025, 16:19 BST
- Next notice expected1 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
- Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown18 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published19 Aug 2025, 11:48 BST
- Clarification questions by31 Aug 2025, 17:00 BST
- Expressions of interest by8 Sept 2025, 17:00 BST
- Contract starts346 days ago13 Nov 2025
- Award decision expected by345 days ago13 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Latest notice published208 days ago30 Mar 2026, 17:11 BST
Notice history
21 events · 12 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 May 2025- Pipeline notice published23 May 2025, 16:19 BSTUK1
- Planned procurement notice published4 Jun 2025, 09:55 BSTUK3
- Published value published: £180,000,0004 Jun 2025, 09:55 BST
- Procurement method changed4 Jun 2025, 09:55 BST
- Deadline published: 1 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST4 Jun 2025, 09:55 BST
- Planned procurement notice published4 Jun 2025, 10:08 BSTUK3
- Planned procurement notice published16 Jun 2025, 15:22 BSTUK3
- Planned procurement notice published10 Jul 2025, 10:46 BSTUK3
- Deadline moved to 8 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST10 Jul 2025, 10:46 BST+7 days · was 1 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
- Planned procurement notice published18 Jul 2025, 16:59 BSTUK3
- Deadline moved to 18 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST18 Jul 2025, 16:59 BST+10 days · was 8 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
- Planned procurement notice published25 Jul 2025, 15:32 BSTUK3
- Tender notice published19 Aug 2025, 11:48 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active19 Aug 2025, 11:48 BST
- Procurement method changed19 Aug 2025, 11:48 BST
- Tender notice published19 Aug 2025, 11:53 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published22 Aug 2025, 14:45 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published28 Aug 2025, 10:39 BSTUK4
- Contract details notice published30 Mar 2026, 17:11 BSTUK7
- Status changed to complete30 Mar 2026, 17:11 BST
- Procurement method changed30 Mar 2026, 17:11 BST
Published amendments (8)
Clarification on maximum number of suppliers across the framework lots. The Authority remains comitted to ensuring that this notice is regularly udated. Please note this is not a call for competition.
Change 1 (old): (1) Clarification on maximum number of suppliers across the framework lots. (2) The Authority remains comitted to ensuring that this notice is regularly udated. (3) Please note this is not a call for competition. Change 2 (new): (1) Deadline for providing feedback has now passed. (2) You may register to attend the Bidders Conference via the following link: (Https://forms.office.com…
Notice four (4) THIS NOTICE, 10 July 2025 (1) Estimated Tender Notice release date has been updated to the 25 July 2025. This is an estimated date and may be subject to change. (2) Due to continued interest, Suppliers may still register to attend the Bidders Conference (Https://forms.office.com/e/0i7aVDDiwC). (3) The Authority it intending to host the online Bidders Conference on the 25 July 2025…
Notice five (5) THIS NOTICE, 18 July (1) Estimated Tender Notice release date has been updated to the 1 August 2025. This is an estimated date and may be subject to change. (2) The Authority has confirmed a date for the Market Engagement Conference: 1 August 2025, 10:00 to 12:00. Those who have registered do not need to register again. This will be a virtual event. Should you be interested to reg…
Notice six (6), THIS NOTICE, 25 July (1) To acces the DDAD Market Engagement Conference please use the following link: https://www.techuk.org/what-we-deliver/events/market-engagement-conference-for-the-digital-decision-accelerators-for-defence-ddad-open-framework.html Notice five (5) 18 July, 16:59 (1) Estimated Tender Notice release date has been updated to the 1 August 2025. This is an estimate…
Routine re-releases (12)
- 2025-08: 2 releases · 19 Aug 2025, 19 Aug 2025
- 2025-07: 3 releases · 10 Jul 2025, 25 Jul 2025
- 2025-06: 3 releases · 4 Jun 2025, 16 Jun 2025
- 2025-05: 1 release · 23 May 2025
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast1 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.
Contracts
Design Systems Integration Partner (DSIP)
- Signed
- 26 Feb 2026
- Value
- £4,268,000
- Period
- 27 Feb 2026 – 31 Mar 2026 · up to 31 Mar 2027 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The Authority may elect to enact an optional twelve (12) month extension for this contract. The contract features a thirty (30) Calendar Day wind-down process.
No agreed KPIs: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not included within this Call‑Off Contract, as performance management for DDAD Lot 5 suppliers are governed centrally under the DDAD framework KPIs. The Authority therefore manages Supplier performance through DDAD’s existing KPI structure and the contract‑specific acceptance criteria, and no additional KPIs are required for this Call‑Off.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
1 commercial party on the notice- Rowden Technologies LimitedFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (13)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specificationsAccess: All documents will be posted publicly on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP). New documents are to be kept minimal, however by example the Clarification Question (CQ) Log will be posted on the DSP.
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
Show 4 more notices
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Planned procurement notice Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender