The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) is set to officially publish a tender for £65.5 million worth of diving equipment over five years, with a possible two-year extension.
Under the contracting authority ‘Defence Equipment and Support’, the MOD at Abbey Wood, Bristol, will issue the tender in four lots:
- Diver’s Dress and Dive Ancillaries (£10 million)
- Diving Support Equipment (£14 million)
- Dive Sets and Dived Equipment (£21 million)
- Mixed Gas (Clearance Divers Life Support Equipment and Self-Contained Air Diving Equipment) (17.5 million)
All prices are exclusive of VAT.
The Diving Life Support portfolio provides diving services to the UK Military, led by the Royal Navy, in many technical and support activities, including Explosive Ordnance Disposal, underwater engineering, underwater search and engineering tasks for UK defence.
Contract dates have preliminarily been set at September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2031, with a possible extension of two years.
The tender, which is estimated at being published on June 30, 2025, will aim at small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community and social enterprises, the announcement says.
Although a market interest and equipment familiarisation day has already been held, non-participation does not exclude any interested party from bidding.
The full announcement is here.
Maritime Journal has contacted the Ministry of Defence for more information.
