Vicon 78 In Service Support

CPV: Military defence services

Procedure method

Direct award

Legal basis

UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023

Procurement category

Services

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

Unspecified in notice

First published

21 May 2025, 15:28 BST

Last source update

23 Oct 2025, 17:08 BST

FTS notice number

2025/S 000-067981

Latest notice

Transparency notice (UK5)

Classification (CPV)

Military defence services

Delivery area

UK

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-051b7b Find a Tender

Why no open competition

Single Suppliers Technical Reasons

Published justification

Defensive Aids Delivery Team, part of the Ministry of Defence (“the Authority”), intends to enter into a contract with Thales UK Limited (“Thales”) for the through-life support of Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) including maintenance, technical engineering support, training, procurement in support of Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) and associated spares provision. These systems are mandated as Theatre Entry Standard (TES) equipment, used across several platforms in line with customer requirements.

The length of the new contract will be eight years. The approximate value of the Contract is estimated to be £4.9 million ex VAT.

In accordance with Section 41(1)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023 (the “Act”), the Authority intends to rely on the Single Supplier direct award justification, as set out in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the Act, to award a public contract directly to Thales, a supplier that is not an excluded supplier. It is considered that a Direct Award is permissible under the Act on the basis that, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only Thales can carry out the services and there are no alternatives to those goods, services or works. Only Thales can supply the services for the following reasons:

Thales is the OEM for Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) and are currently providing in-service support including maintenance. Only Thales has the necessary technical information to be able to perform this requirement. Their continued technical expertise, technical data and manufacturing expertise is necessary to ensure that the system remains fully operational and compliant with evolving threat environments.

Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) is integrated into specific aircraft platforms, with bespoke configurations tailored to each platform's operational requirements. Thales is the only supplier with the detailed technical information necessary to ensure seamless integration and compatibility with existing systems.

Vicon 78 Series 455 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS) is a safety-critical system, and any modifications or maintenance must comply with stringent airworthiness and safety standards. Thales, as the OEM, is the only supplier with the relevant technical information and system expertise to be able to ensure safety/airworthiness requirements are met.

Accordingly, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, Thales is considered as the only supplier that can provide the services and there are no reasonable alternatives to those services as required by the Authority.

The contract will not be awarded to an excluded or excludable supplier, a Contract Award Notice and Contract Details Notice will follow in accordance with Procurement Act 2023.

Risk Assessment Ref: RAR-250822A01

Cyber Risk Profile: Moderate

Submission deadline

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• Thales UK LimitedAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PLTY-2297-BQYQ 350 Longwater Avenue, Reading, South East, RG2 6GFContact emailShow contact details