GSA8 ISS Contract

The International Guns, Missiles and Rockets Project Team, part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), intends to award a contract to Leonardo MW Ltd (Leonardo) for Post Design Services (PDS) for the Gun System Automation Mk8 (GSA8), which is fitted to the Type 23 Frigate Naval fleet. The contract shall be for a term of 5 years and have an estimated value of £14m.

In accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this contract 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 this contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service (as required by the relevant legislation) 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 Leonardo is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the GSA8 and has supported it since it came into service in 1988. Only the OEM has the drawings, information, technical expertise and tools to continue to support this vital piece of equipment and to manage complicated issues of obsolescence as it nears the end of its in service life.