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Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI)

Buyer: Ministry of Defence →

BuyerMinistry of Defence
Statusaward
DeadlineNot published
ValueValue not published
Published12 Sept 2025

What is being bought

The Dismounted Close Combat project team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence is placing a 10-year contract with FN UK Ltd for the Mid Life Improvement of the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG). This is because FN UK Ltd are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and are the only economic entity with access to the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the HMG comprised in this contract. FN UK Ltd are also the only economic entity with the capability and access necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority’s specification, maintains the operational performance and effectiveness of the weapon system, and ability to underwrite the integrity of the modifications to the weapons systems as a result of a safety investigation.

Delivery location

UK

Categories

Repair and maintenance services of firearms and ammunition 50620000Repair and maintenance services of firearms and ammunition 50620000Maintenance and repair services 1

What is included

ItemCategoryQuantity
0Not publishedNot published

Comparable-procurement analytics

Benchmarked against retained Find a Tender procedures with CPV division 50. The category anchor is Repair and maintenance services of firearms and ammunition (50620000); this is a deliberately broad market comparator. The comparison is shown at several levels rather than pretending one company or region is always the best benchmark.

Comparison setProceduresReported bids per procedureNamed award suppliersPrice evidence
Market: CPV division 508,1894 median · 21.7 average (3,329 of 8,189 with a bid count)3.1 average (3,772 of 8,189 with named award suppliers)Not published
Same buyer0Not publishedNot publishedNot published
Delivery region: UK1,6166 median · 50.3 average (618 of 1,616 with a bid count)5.5 average (747 of 1,616 with named award suppliers)Not published

“Reported bids” is an official aggregate, sometimes reported per lot; it is the closest available competition measure. “Named award suppliers” are winners, not all applicants.

Price-outcome signal

Not enough comparable procedures currently publish both a GBP tender value and a usable lowest-valid-bid value to calculate a responsible price-reduction benchmark. Tenderline deliberately does not infer a saving from named award suppliers or from missing award values.

Procurement strategy & market signals

Framework agreementNot published
Dynamic purchasing systemNot published
Competitive procurementNot published
Recurring requirementNot published
Procurement method rationaleExplanation: In accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service is lawful in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for Technical Reasons. This is because FN UK Ltd are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and are the only economic entity with access to the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the HMG comprised in this contract. FN UK Ltd are also the only economic entity with the capability and access necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority’s specification, maintains the operational performance and effectiveness of the weapon system, and ability to underwrite the integrity of the modifications to the weapons systems as a result of a safety investigation.
Rationale classificationsNo tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to negotiated procedure with prior publication of a contract notice, The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons
Special regimeNot published
Covered byNot published
Submission policyNot published
Selection criteriaNot published
Risk detailsNot published

Planning & early market engagement

BudgetNot published
No-engagement rationaleNot published
Planning documents0
Planning milestones0

No planning milestones published.

Related procurements

No linked framework, prior procurement or reprocurement published.

Awards

Contracts

056222-2025-704656450-1

Statusactive
ValueValue not published

Documents & submission route

No documents are published in the current source record.

Source data inventory

Diagnostic view. “Not published” means this current release does not provide a value.

OCIDocds-h6vhtk-043442
Latest release ID056222-2025
Latest release timestampFri Sep 12 2025 13:11:08 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Sourcefind-a-tender
Official notice URLNot published
Tender statusNot published
Procurement methodlimited
Procurement method detailsNegotiated without publication of a contract notice
Main procurement categoryservices
Above thresholdNot published
Legal basis32009L0081
Tender period: startNot published
Tender period: endNot published
Expression of interest deadlineNot published
Enquiry deadlineNot published
Award period: startNot published
Award period: endNot published
Submission method detailsNot published
Submission languagesNot published
Electronic catalogue policyNot published
Total tender valueNot published
Tender lots in source0
Tender items in source1
Tender documents in source0
Awards in latest release1
Contracts in latest release1
Parties in latest release3

Notice history

DateEventReference
12 Sept 2025award, contract056222-2025
24 Jan 2024award, contract002456-2024

All source data

Unmodified official OCDS data retained by Tenderline for this procurement process.

Complete current OCDS release JSON
{
  "id": "056222-2025",
  "tag": [
    "award",
    "contract"
  ],
  "bids": {
    "statistics": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "value": 1,
        "measure": "bids"
      },
      {
        "id": "2",
        "value": 1,
        "measure": "electronicBids"
      }
    ]
  },
  "date": "2025-09-12T14:11:08+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-043442",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-FTS-160728",
    "name": "Ministry of Defence"
  },
  "awards": [
    {
      "id": "056222-2025-704656450-1",
      "status": "active",
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-FTS-160729",
          "name": "FN UK Limited"
        }
      ],
      "hasSubcontracting": false
    }
  ],
  "tender": {
    "id": "704656450",
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "0",
        "deliveryLocation": {
          "description": "FN UK LTD\nPhoenix House\nSlade Green Road\nErith\nDA8 2HY"
        },
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI)",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32009L0081",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "description": "The Dismounted Close Combat project team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence is placing a 10-year contract with FN UK Ltd for the Mid Life Improvement of the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG).\nThis is because FN UK Ltd are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and are the only economic entity with access to the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the HMG comprised in this contract. FN UK Ltd are also the only economic entity with the capability and access necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority’s specification, maintains the operational performance and effectiveness of the weapon system, and ability to underwrite the integrity of the modifications to the weapons systems as a result of a safety investigation.",
    "classification": {
      "id": "50620000",
      "scheme": "CPV",
      "description": "Repair and maintenance services of firearms and ammunition"
    },
    "procurementMethod": "limited",
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Negotiated without publication of a contract notice",
    "additionalClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "50620000",
        "scheme": "CPV",
        "description": "Repair and maintenance services of firearms and ammunition"
      },
      {
        "id": "1",
        "scheme": "TED_SERVICE_CATEGORY_DEFENCE",
        "description": "Maintenance and repair services"
      }
    ],
    "procurementMethodRationale": "Explanation:\nIn accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450).  Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate.  It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service is lawful in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for Technical Reasons. \nThis is because FN UK Ltd are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and are the only economic entity with access to the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the HMG comprised in this contract.  FN UK Ltd are also the only economic entity with the capability and access necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority’s specification, maintains the operational performance and effectiveness of the weapon system, and ability to underwrite the integrity of the modifications to the weapons systems as a result of a safety investigation.",
    "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "D_PROC_NEGOTIATED_PRIOR_CALL_COMPETITION",
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      },
      {
        "id": "D_TECHNICAL",
        "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
        "description": "The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons"
      }
    ]
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-160728",
      "name": "Ministry of Defence",
      "roles": [
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      "address": {
        "locality": "BRISTOL",
        "postalCode": "BS34 8JH",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Ministry of Defence, Abbey Wood"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "Ministry of Defence"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "neena.sahauli100@mod.gov.uk, attn: Neena Sahauli",
        "email": "neena.sahauli100@mod.gov.uk"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-160729",
      "name": "FN UK Limited",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ],
      "address": {
        "locality": "Kent",
        "postalCode": "DA8 2HY",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Phoenix House, Slade Green Road, Erith"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "FN UK Limited"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-139611",
      "name": "Ministry of Defence",
      "roles": [
        "reviewBody"
      ],
      "address": {
        "locality": "Bristol",
        "postalCode": "BS34 8JH",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Abbey Wood, FIR 1B"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "Ministry of Defence"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "DESLESTSP-DCC-ComrclTeam@mod.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "contracts": [
    {
      "id": "056222-2025-704656450-1",
      "value": {
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      },
      "status": "active",
      "awardID": "056222-2025-704656450-1",
      "dateSigned": "2025-08-01T00:00:00+01:00"
    }
  ],
  "initiationType": "tender"
}
Complete JSON history (2 releases)
12 Sept 2025 · 056222-2025 · award, contract
{
  "id": "056222-2025",
  "tag": [
    "award",
    "contract"
  ],
  "bids": {
    "statistics": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "value": 1,
        "measure": "bids"
      },
      {
        "id": "2",
        "value": 1,
        "measure": "electronicBids"
      }
    ]
  },
  "date": "2025-09-12T14:11:08+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-043442",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-FTS-160728",
    "name": "Ministry of Defence"
  },
  "awards": [
    {
      "id": "056222-2025-704656450-1",
      "status": "active",
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-FTS-160729",
          "name": "FN UK Limited"
        }
      ],
      "hasSubcontracting": false
    }
  ],
  "tender": {
    "id": "704656450",
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "0",
        "deliveryLocation": {
          "description": "FN UK LTD\nPhoenix House\nSlade Green Road\nErith\nDA8 2HY"
        },
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI)",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32009L0081",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "description": "The Dismounted Close Combat project team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence is placing a 10-year contract with FN UK Ltd for the Mid Life Improvement of the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG).\nThis is because FN UK Ltd are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and are the only economic entity with access to the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the HMG comprised in this contract. FN UK Ltd are also the only economic entity with the capability and access necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority’s specification, maintains the operational performance and effectiveness of the weapon system, and ability to underwrite the integrity of the modifications to the weapons systems as a result of a safety investigation.",
    "classification": {
      "id": "50620000",
      "scheme": "CPV",
      "description": "Repair and maintenance services of firearms and ammunition"
    },
    "procurementMethod": "limited",
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Negotiated without publication of a contract notice",
    "additionalClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "50620000",
        "scheme": "CPV",
        "description": "Repair and maintenance services of firearms and ammunition"
      },
      {
        "id": "1",
        "scheme": "TED_SERVICE_CATEGORY_DEFENCE",
        "description": "Maintenance and repair services"
      }
    ],
    "procurementMethodRationale": "Explanation:\nIn accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450).  Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate.  It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service is lawful in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for Technical Reasons. \nThis is because FN UK Ltd are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and are the only economic entity with access to the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the HMG comprised in this contract.  FN UK Ltd are also the only economic entity with the capability and access necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority’s specification, maintains the operational performance and effectiveness of the weapon system, and ability to underwrite the integrity of the modifications to the weapons systems as a result of a safety investigation.",
    "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "D_PROC_NEGOTIATED_PRIOR_CALL_COMPETITION",
        "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
        "description": "No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to negotiated procedure with prior publication of a contract notice"
      },
      {
        "id": "D_TECHNICAL",
        "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
        "description": "The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons"
      }
    ]
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-160728",
      "name": "Ministry of Defence",
      "roles": [
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      ],
      "address": {
        "locality": "BRISTOL",
        "postalCode": "BS34 8JH",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Ministry of Defence, Abbey Wood"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "Ministry of Defence"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "neena.sahauli100@mod.gov.uk, attn: Neena Sahauli",
        "email": "neena.sahauli100@mod.gov.uk"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-160729",
      "name": "FN UK Limited",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ],
      "address": {
        "locality": "Kent",
        "postalCode": "DA8 2HY",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Phoenix House, Slade Green Road, Erith"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "FN UK Limited"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-139611",
      "name": "Ministry of Defence",
      "roles": [
        "reviewBody"
      ],
      "address": {
        "locality": "Bristol",
        "postalCode": "BS34 8JH",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Abbey Wood, FIR 1B"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "Ministry of Defence"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "DESLESTSP-DCC-ComrclTeam@mod.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "contracts": [
    {
      "id": "056222-2025-704656450-1",
      "value": {
        "currency": "GBP"
      },
      "status": "active",
      "awardID": "056222-2025-704656450-1",
      "dateSigned": "2025-08-01T00:00:00+01:00"
    }
  ],
  "initiationType": "tender"
}
24 Jan 2024 · 002456-2024 · award, contract
{
  "id": "002456-2024",
  "tag": [
    "award",
    "contract"
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  "date": "2024-01-24T15:40:52Z",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-043442",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-FTS-103341",
    "name": "Ministry of Defence"
  },
  "awards": [
    {
      "id": "002456-2024-704656450-1",
      "title": "FNHUK Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI) Project  ",
      "status": "active",
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-FTS-103342",
          "name": "FNH UK Limited"
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      "relatedLots": [
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    }
  ],
  "tender": {
    "id": "704656450 FNHUK Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI) Project  ",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
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        "description": "This contract will enable the Authority to undertake the Mid Life improvement requirements for the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) that will ensure the UK Armed Forces Commands can meet their enduring and future capability needs.",
        "awardCriteria": {
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          ]
        }
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    ],
    "items": [
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        "id": "1",
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          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "704656450 FNHUK Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI) Project  ",
    "status": "complete",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32009L0081",
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    },
    "description": "The Authority intends to award a contract to FNH UK Ltd for the Midlife Improvement in respect of the UK Armed Forces Commands in-service fleet of Heavy Machine Gun (HMG).  ",
    "classification": {
      "id": "50620000",
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    "procurementMethod": "limited",
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
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    "procurementMethodRationale": "The Dismounted Close Combat programme team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to place a 5-year contract with FNH UK Ltd for the Mid Life Improvement of the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG).\nThis is because FNH UK Ltd are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and are the only economic entity with access to the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the HMG comprised in this contract.  FNH UK Ltd are the only economic entity with the capability and access necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority’s specification, maintains the operational performance and effectiveness of the weapon system, and ability to underwrite the integrity of the modifications to the weapons systems as a result of a safety investigation.",
    "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
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      },
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        "id": "D_MANUF_FOR_RESEARCH",
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  "parties": [
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        "postalCode": "BS34 8JH",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "DE&S, Land Equipment, Dismounted Close Combat, MOD Abbey Wood  "
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://des.mod.uk/",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "MINISTRY",
            "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
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          },
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            "id": "02",
            "scheme": "COFOG",
            "description": "Defence"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "Ministry of Defence"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "neena.sahauli100@mod.gov.uk"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-103342",
      "name": "FNH UK Limited",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ],
      "address": {
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        "locality": "Kent",
        "postalCode": "DA8 2HU",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Phoenix House, Slade Green Road, Erith"
      },
      "details": {
        "scale": "large"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "FNH UK Limited"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-103343",
      "name": "DE&S",
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        "reviewBody"
      ],
      "address": {
        "locality": "Bristol",
        "postalCode": "Bs34 8JH",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Land Equipment, Dismounted Close Combat, MOD Abbey Wood"
      },
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        "legalName": "DE&S"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "contracts": [
    {
      "id": "002456-2024-704656450-1",
      "title": "FNHUK Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI) Project  ",
      "value": {
        "amount": 40000000,
        "currency": "GBP"
      },
      "status": "active",
      "awardID": "002456-2024-704656450-1",
      "dateSigned": "2024-01-24T00:00:00Z"
    }
  ],
  "initiationType": "tender"
}