Voluntary ex ante transparency notice
Directive 2009/81/EC
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Ministry of Defence
Main Building, Whitehall Horse Guard Avenue
London
SW1A 2HB
UK
E-mail: ukstratcom-comrcl-di@mod.gov.uk
NUTS: UKI32
Internet address(es)
Main address: www.contracts.mod.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
I.5) Main activity
Defence
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
The Accreditation of Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) Soldier Training
Reference number: 713818453
II.1.2) Main CPV code
80340000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) soldiers currently complete two courses at the Defence School of Geospatial Intelligence (DSGI), which are accredited as a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc) under contract with a UK University. The accreditation process must align with established standards, including curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and institutional resources. The contract duration is from 01 July 2025 to 30 June 2027 with an option for an additional one-year option, which could extend the total duration 30 June 2028.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
289 260.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ1
Main site or place of performance:
Defence School of Military Survey(RSMS)
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The accreditation supports the Ministry of Defence strategic goal of ensuring a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting operational demands now and in the future. The accreditation also enables the DSGI to maintain quality training, professional development, and career opportunities for ME Geo soldiers, offering them valuable civilian-recognised qualifications. The contract with a UK University ensures these programs meet academic and industry standards, enhancing both the military profession and soldiers' career prospects.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Criteria below:
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive
Explanation:
It is considered that single source procurement of a contract for the provision of an 11 month Military Engineer (ME Geo) Class 2 course with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) can be undertaken for technical reasons in accordance with 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 due to the absence of competition is absent for technical reasons. These technical reasons are based on specific interoperability requirements under the accreditation process, which must be fulfilled by SHU to ensure the continued operation of the services being provided. The contract will be for a length of 24 months at a value of £203,551.14.
In the case of the university level degree accreditation contract, it is not feasible to transition to a new provider for student cohorts who are already part way through their studies. The process for accreditation means that the students must remain with the original accreditor, as set out below.
Soldiers must attend an 11-month Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) Class 2 course, successful completion of which results in soldiers being awarded 120 credits at Level 4 and 5, as they are considered qualified at that point to be assigned into their first military role. Following completion of their first military role in an operational unit, the soldiers subsequently return to complete an 11 month ME Geo Class 1 course, which must be undertaken with the original educational accreditor, gaining the requisite additional 100 credits at Level 5 and 6 to enable award of the Batchelor of Science (BSc). Both Class 1 and Class 2 courses were developed by the Authority in consultation with SHU.
As a result of this, accreditation cannot be transferred between accrediting bodies. Moving to a new provider would require the full re-validation process for all student courses which have already been accredited by SHU and the existing student courses must therefore be completed and accredited by SHU. The Authority is currently developing a revised course structure in order to conduct a competitive procurement of the Military Engineer (ME Geo) course in the future. It is currently anticipated that this will be launched by 30/06/2027.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section V: Award of contract/concession
Contract No: 713818453
Title: The accreditation of Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) soldier training
V.2 Award of contract/concession
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession
12/08/2025
V.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Sheffield Hallam University
Howard St, Sheffield City Centre
Sheffield
S1 1WB
UK
NUTS: UKE32
The contractor is an SME:
No
V.2.4) Information on value of the concession and main financing terms (excluding VAT)
Total value of the concession/lot:
289 260.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Ministry Of Defence
Filton
BS34 8JH
UK
E-mail: UKStratCom-Comrcl-DI@mod.gov.uk
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
12/08/2025