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PRIMUS II Ground Station Support Solution

Descriptions

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), is looking to secure a support solution to provide maintenance and technical support for an Authority owned Ground Station Terminal. The requirement is for a period of three (3) years, with the potential to extend to an additional two (2) years via costed options.

 

This procurement shall be procured through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS), Space Technology Solutions (RM6370) Dynamic Market. The DM contains a list of qualified suppliers who meet specific membership conditions and are eligible to participate in procurements. Should Suppliers wish to recieve the PSQ are not yet on the DM, please engage with the Authority, who may be able to assit with expediting your application.

 

Interested suppliers are required to be registered on the DM, and Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) to engage and complete the Procurement Selective Questionnaire (PSQ). Should Tenderers be Invited to Negotiate (ITN), the Authority will evaluate the Tenderers capacity and capability against the evaluation criteria.

For more details please refer to the official guidance, and the Space Technology Solutions DM. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-act-2023-guidance-documents-define-phase/guidance-dynamic-markets-html / Space Technology Solutions - CCS

 

It is the Authority's intention to down-select approximately 5 highest scoring Tenderers, who will then be ITN providing they meet the overall score of a pass within the PSQ. The Authority reserve the right to a fail a tenderer should they not meet the minimum pass criteria at the Evaluation Stage, and subsequently not be ITN.

Overview:

 

PRIMUS is a UK-located Ground Terminal designed to provide an interface between the Authority's operations centre (Or the Authority's authorised operation centres) and the space segment (SSeg).

 

PRIMUS, is based on a 7.3-Meter S and X-band solution, sited within a Radome. It has been scoped to send and receive data from a MOD-owned satellite, whilst the Authority views PRIMUS as an enduring capability, intended to support numerous future Operational Concept Demonstrators (OCDs) that currently exist in various stages of development.

 

The duration of the Authority's In-Service Support (ISS) requirements covers a three-year core contract for the maintenance and operational readiness of the asset.

Background:

 

PRIMUS has been conceived under the auspices of the Authority's ISTARI programme as its foremost conceptual demonstrator through which ground segment hardware, software and architecture associated with current and future missions has been, and will continue to be, procured, developed and integrated.

 

The objective of PRIMUS is to develop an operational demonstration of the required hardware architecture that both informs and qualifies the MoD's ground control segment concept, as well as integrating into the wider ISTARI architecture, enabling MoD execution of the Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) cycle. A core objective is to realise a solution which is applicable to supporting imminent missions, whilst also ensuring enduring capability through compatibility with future MoD activities where required.

 

Requirement:

PRIMUS is part of the UK Government's broader efforts to maintain, secure and update its satellite communications capabilities, ensuring remote data links for Defence purposes.

 

The Authority requires provision of maintenance and support, which will include both hardware and software elements. The requirements span numerous considerations ranging from routine preventative maintenance to training and management of critical spares, commensurate with Line-3 support.

 

Miscellanous:

PRIMUS has been designed with future capability in mind, allowing for - thanks to the terminal's modular design and line replaceable units - potential upgrades. The Modular design preferred on the basis of achieving relatively easy swap-out of small RF components such as feeds/waveguides/Low Noise amplifiers etc., by supplier-trained engineers.

 

The Cyber Risk Profile for this procurement identified by the Cyber Risk Assessment is:

Reference: Level 2

 

PRIMUS is equipped with the OEM's licensed software and, as such, the terms governing the use of this proprietary software are prescribed within an existing and enduring licensing agreement between the OEM and the Authority. Suppliers are advised they are not explicitly covered under the agreement, and may be required to establish a relationship with the OEM in relation to licence software.

 

Tenderers are to be advised that this contract shall have a rolling start date, due to on-going dependencies associated with the terminal.

Timeline

Published Date :

5th Dec 2025 in a 2 days

Published Date :

6th Feb 2026 Today

Deadline :

6th Mar 2026 in a 28 days

Contract Start :

31st Aug 2026

Contract End :

1st Sep 2029

Keywords

switches

modem

networks

routers

telecom hardware

system support

software sales

bug fixing

data networks

network devices

telecom gear

PBX maintenance

error correction

satellite modems

network hardware

tower inspection

telecom supplies

version upgrades

radio comms equipment

supply components

tech assistance packages

network infrastructure

technical services

communication devices

software troubleshooting

help desk support

communications equipment

network rack check

IT repair services

user manual creation

IT application supply

R&D technical services

data link hardware

full-cycle IT support

telecom cabinet cleaning

backup generator check

network comms gear

managed systems support

integration planning

version upgrade support

fiber backbone check

technical user guidance

communication network

instrumentation services

microwave link alignment

software distribution

technical consultancy

switch port cleaning

application updates

infrastructure support

node cooling check

legacy system support

connectivity systems

software patching

training and onboarding

satellite transceivers

licensed software supply

off-the-shelf software

power backup test

deployment assistance

cable integrity test

shelter HVAC service

software maintenance

IT support framework

user support coverage

base station servicing

software licensing

mast re-galvanization

antenna alignment

router firmware tuning

packaged software delivery

infrastructure maintenance

end-to-end system services

satellite uplink/downlink gear

software lifecycle guidance

technical support services

system performance tuning

commercial software solutions

signal booster calibration

satellite communications equipment

tech writing and documentation

data-communications equipment

telecom hardware diagnostics

enterprise software provision

specialized technical assistance

equipment firmware update

operational troubleshooting

digital software products

platform migration services

integrated system operations

reactive and proactive IT services

engineering technical support

telecommunications equipment

infrastructure cabling test

Tender Lot Details & Award Criteria

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Workflows

Status :

Open

Procedure :

N/A

Suitable for SME :

Yes

Nationwide :

No

Assign to :

Tender Progress :

0%

Details

Notice Type :

Tender

Tender Identifier :

IT-378-246-T: 2024 - 001

Tenderbase ID :

310724019

Low Value :

£100K

High Value :

£1000K

Buyer Information

Address :

Liverpool Merseyside , Merseyside , L13 0BQ

Website :

N/A

Procurement Contact

Name :

Tina Smith

Phone :

0151 252 3243

Email :

tina.smith@shared-ed.ac.uk