Official UK procurement notice
PURCHASE OF 6X VIDS-210/LS CABLES
Authority: Ministry of Defence (Central government)
Sectors: Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting (31) Delivery: UK
Published estimate £14,818£17,782 inc. VAT · 1 value update
Award in standstill Not publishedno call for competition
Award (standstill) to GENERAL DYNAMICS UNITED KINGDOM LIMITED
Contract term 6 mostarts 1 Oct 2026
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionTHE PURCHASE OF 6X VIDS-210/LS CABLES AS DETAILED IN THE GD DRAWING CABLE ASSEMBLY, VIDSOD400410 FOR TAIPAN
CPV: Connection cables · Extension cables
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1Lot 1Awarded
31224400 Connection cables31224810 Extension cables
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Direct award
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Goods
- Notice status
- Awarded without competition
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- 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
- No (one-off requirement)
- First published
- 11 Sept 2026, 14:19 BST
- Last source update
- 11 Sept 2026, 14:19 BST
- Authority reference
715904532- Latest notice
- Transparency notice (UK5)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06eba4
- Why no open competition
- Protect Life
Review and risk notes
- Risks
Single Source Justification for 6X VIDS-210/LS CABLES Background TAIPAN has replaced the Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar (MAMBA) fleet, introducing a new Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) capability into service. As part of this capability, a new BOWMAN communications system has been installed on each more…
platform. In accordance with JSP 604, Part 2, Volume 2, 4850-TacCIS, all new BOWMAN installations are required to undergo a Connectivity Assurance Test (CAT) prior to being accepted into service. Situation During the pre-CAT Installation Certification Assessment for the TacCIS installation in Taipan (MAMBA) platforms, an observation was raised identifying that the VIDS-210/LS cable connecting the GPS Applique to the HCDR was not connected. The User advised the cable connector does not fit on the HCDR. Further investigation determined that the connector is missing the locating lugs required for attachment to the HCDR. This appears to be a manufacturing defect affecting all five TAIPAN platforms. As a result, the GPS Applique cannot be connected to the HCDR, potentially preventing the HCDR from forming part of the BOWMAN network and jeopardising successful completion of the mandatory CAT process. TAS assess each observation made against each TacCIS installation requirement and considered what affect, if any, they have on the safety, security, supportability and performance of the TacCIS system. This has resulted in the above observation being categorised as: Essential - the design would have a substantial impact on the safety, security, supportability and performance of the TacCIS installation. To rectify the defect and enable the platforms to achieve connectivity assurance certification, replacement VIDS-210/LS cables are required. Regulation Direct Award Justification - Schedule 5, Paragraph 41(1), Procurement Act 2023 The Authority proposes to directly award a contract to General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited (GDUK) for the supply of six (6) VIDS-210/LS cables (GDUK Part Number GD400410-0380-05). A direct award is justified as only GDUK, as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority for the BOWMAN system and associated components, can provide the exact cable assembly required to restore the affected installations and ensure compliance with the certified BOWMAN configuration. No reasonable alternative supplier has been identified that can provide an equivalent, assured and fully compatible cable assembly suitable for use within the BOWMAN architecture. The replacement cables are required no later than 26 February 2027 to support CAT activities and prevent delays to the entry into service of the TAIPAN capability. Accordingly, the Authority is satisfied that the criteria for direct award under Schedule 5, Paragraph 41(1) of the Procurement Act 2023 are met.
How it was run
- Submission deadline
- —
Timeline
4 published dates · Europe/London- Planning notice published26 days ago25 Aug 2026, 14:22 BST
- Next notice expected15 days ago4 Sept 2026, 23:59 BST
- Latest notice published9 days ago11 Sept 2026, 14:19 BST
- Contract startsin 11 days1 Oct 2026, 00:00 BST
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics — not a forecastAwards 1some still in standstill
Awarded value £14,8181 award exc. VAT
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GENERAL DYNAMICS UNITED KINGDOM LIMITEDTHE PURCHASE OF 6X VIDS-210/LS CABLES AS DETAILED IN THE GD DRAWING CABLE ASSEMBLY, VIDSOD400410 FOR TAIPAN1 Oct 2026 — 31 Mar 2027 | £14,818 | — | Standstill |
Notice history
5 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 25 Aug 2026- Contract signature expected1 Oct 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
- Transparency notice published11 Sept 2026, 14:19 BSTUK5
- Published value updated11 Sept 2026, 14:19 BSTwas £14,818
- Status changed to complete11 Sept 2026, 14:19 BST
- Pipeline notice published25 Aug 2026, 14:22 BSTUK1
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
1 commercial party on the notice- GENERAL DYNAMICS UNITED KINGDOM LIMITEDAwarded supplierView supplier profile →
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Conflict of interest declarationNot published
Notices published for this procedure
- Transparency notice Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender