CMWS AAR-57, ALQ-157 and ALE 47 In Service Support

CPV: Military defence services

Procedure method

Direct award

Legal basis

UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023

Procurement category

Services

Notice status

Awarded without competition

Procurement threshold

Above threshold (FTS publication)

Regulatory regime

Defence & security

Commercial structure

Stand-alone contract (no framework)

Competition type

Direct award (no call for competition)

GPA / WTO covered

Unspecified in notice

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

21 May 2025, 15:41 BST

Last source update

24 Sept 2025, 15:13 BST

FTS notice number

2025/S 000-059338

Latest notice

Transparency notice (UK5)

Classification (CPV)

Military defence services

Delivery area

UK

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-051b8e Find a Tender

Why no open competition

Single Suppliers Technical Reasons

Published justification

Defensive Aids Delivery Team, part of the Ministry of Defence (“the Authority”), intends to enter into a contract with BAE Systems Ltd (“BAE”) for the through-life support of ALE-47/M-147 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS), ALQ-157 Infrared Countermeasure System, and AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) including maintenance, technical engineering support, training, procurement in support of ALE-47/M-147 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS), ALQ-157 Infrared Countermeasure System and AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) and associated spares provision. These systems are mandated as Theatre Entry Standard (TES) equipment, used across several platforms in line with customer requirements.

The length of the new contract will be four years with a two year option (4+2). The approximate value of the Contract is estimated to be £56 million ex VAT including the exercise of the option years.

In accordance with Section 41(1)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023 (the “Act”), the Authority intends to rely on the Single Supplier direct award justification, as set out in Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the Act, to award a public contract directly to BAE, a supplier that is not an excluded supplier. It is considered that a Direct Award is permissible under the Act on the basis that, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only BAE can carry out the services and there are no alternatives to those goods, services or works. Only BAE can supply the services for the following reasons:

BAE is the OEM for all three systems, ALE-47/M-147 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS), ALQ-157 Infrared Countermeasure System and AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) and are currently providing in-service support including maintenance. Only BAE has the necessary technical information to be able to perform this requirement. Their continued technical expertise, technical data and manufacturing expertise is necessary to ensure that the system remains fully operational and compliant with evolving threat environments.

ALE-47/M-147 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS), ALQ-157 Infrared Countermeasure System and AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) is integrated into specific aircraft platforms, with bespoke configurations tailored to each platform's operational requirements. BAE is the only supplier with the detailed technical information necessary to ensure seamless integration and compatibility with existing systems.

ALE-47/M-147 Countermeasures Dispensing System (CMDS), ALQ-157 Infrared Countermeasure System and AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) is a safety-critical system, and any modifications or maintenance must comply with stringent airworthiness and safety standards. BAE, as the OEM, is the only supplier with the relevant technical information and system expertise to be able to ensure safety/airworthiness requirements are met.

Accordingly, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, BAE is considered as the only supplier that can provide the services and there are no reasonable alternatives to those services as required by the Authority.

The contract will not be awarded to an excluded or excludable supplier, a Contract Award Notice and Contract Details Notice will follow in accordance with Procurement Act 2023.

Risk Assessment Ref: RAR-250814A03

Cyber Risk Profile: Low

Submission deadline

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• BAE SystemsAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PJRJ-7874-MBCP 65 Spit Brook Rd, Nashua, US, 03060, USContact emailShow contact details