Published date: 13 September 2024

Last edited date: 28 April 2025

Open opportunity - This means that the contract is currently active, and the buying department is looking for potential suppliers to fulfil the contract.


Closing: 31 January 2027, 11:59pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Military research and technology - 73410000

Location of contract

SW1A 2HB

Value of contract

£3,300,000

Procurement reference

tender_459958/1404422

Published date

13 September 2024

Closing date

31 January 2027

Closing time

11:59pm

Contract start date

1 February 2027

Contract end date

31 March 2027

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Other: Dynamic Purchasing System Framework

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

The UKs independent nuclear deterrent has existed for over 60 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, and that of our NATO Allies. UK nuclear policymakers will be confronted with an array of challenges in the coming decades, including from major nuclear armed states, emerging nuclear states and state-sponsored nuclear terrorism. The complexity and breadth of these challenges requires the UK to consider how to adapt its approach to deterrence across the spectrum of conflict, including nuclear and strategic deterrence. This, in turn, requires an intellectual capability that can assist UK policymakers in understanding the new security dynamic and its implications for future deterrence requirements.
The MoD is committed to not only developing this expertise within Government, but through a thriving and robust civil society which can provide valuable research and challenge to Government on these issues. The Nuclear Deterrence Fund (NDF) is a £3.3m pilot programme which will run between FY24-27 to stimulate wider UK expertise in nuclear deterrence issues and to generate a research base to support nuclear deterrence policymaking.

The Fund is now accepting proposals. The deadlines for the March and June 2025 round of applications are as follows:

Supplier Registration on DSP Deadline
9/05/25

Project Proposal Submission & Contract Terms Acceptance Deadline
05/06/25

Programme Board Meeting
12/06/25

(Please note that the Nuclear Deterrence Fund reserves the right to change these dates and will stop accepting applications once all funds have been allocated.)


To submit proposals to the NDF, suppliers must register for the NDF PQQ on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP). Once the necessary checks have been completed, suppliers will be onboarded onto a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) which will provide the contractual terms. Suppliers can onboard onto the DPS between 09/24 and 01/27. Once on the DPS, suppliers can submit research project proposals for consideration. The detail of any funding agreements for successful bids will be covered by supplementary project tasking form.

More information

Previous notice about this procurement

Nuclear Deterrence Fund - Prior Information Notice

  • Future opportunity
  • Published 15 August 2024, last edited 11 September 2024

Attachments

Links

How to apply

Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.

About the buyer

Address

MoD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
England

Email

jonathan.pople101@mod.gov.uk