Procurement at MOD

Doing business with defence: information for those looking to become a supplier or contractor.

What the MOD procures

The MOD buys equipment, products and services from a variety of procurement organisations. 

MOD supply chain opportunities

Register at the following free-to-access websites to view live contract opportunities:

Information about how to become a supplier to MOD’s strategic partners is linked below:

Advertise your supply chain opportunities

Opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

The MOD does not maintain preferred supplier lists and is always keen to attract new entrants to the supply chain. In addition to being registered on the DSP, there are lots of ways to make yourself visible to defence:

MOD also engages with regional defence and security clusters. These clusters allow industry and government to share ideas, promoting collaboration and commercialisation. MOD currently works with the:

Framework agreements

A framework agreement is a contract between the buyer and a qualified group of suppliers. It details the overarching terms and conditions against which the buyer may place orders or tasks. Framework agreements provide an efficient means of procuring when requirements arise on a regular basis, combining the benefits of reduced costs and enhanced buying power.

Terms and conditions vary by framework to reflect what is being purchased. It is the responsibility of the supplier to decide which frameworks they want to be involved with, and the responsibility of MOD to use the most appropriate framework to support their procurement. 

The MOD publishes framework notices through the DSP to make opportunities visible, and accesses frameworks through:

The MOD hosts some of its own frameworks - the following are currently open to new entrants:

  • The Commercial Delivery Partner - delivery of commercial resource to delivery teams for short and long-term periods. Contact: DESComrcl-CRS@mod.gov.uk
  • Project Delivery Partner Successor Framework - external support to project delivery and operational delivery in the form of contingent labour, as well as specific output/outcome-based taskings. Contact: DESCEO-GenProgs-PDP@mod.gov.uk
  • Uncrewed Air Systems Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework - created to accelerate the development of a range of autonomous heavy-lift UAS for use predominantly (but not exclusively) in the maritime domain. Contact: eric.conway104@mod.gov.uk

Use the MOD acquisition pipeline to understand what frameworks will be used to procure the opportunities you are interested in.

The MOD also uses framework agreements to provide flexible contracting options when the size or timing of the requirement is dependent upon demand. These framework agreements are not open to wider industry so are not listed.

Government grants and funding

The Department for Business and trade has developed a list of available finance and support for your business.

Apply for funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Apply for funding from DASA.

MOD engagement with trade associations

Trade associations are funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry, and many operate on a not-for-profit basis. Their activities are focused on enhancing the profile of their industry sector, which includes driving innovation, influencing policy debates, and supporting the supply chain and business development, often with a focus on small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Information on the trade associations that defence procurement works with and alongside

Export guidance and sanctions

UK Defence and Security Exports helps UK defence, cyber and physical security, and civil maritime companies to export.

To export goods from the UK, access the SME export toolkit and follow this step-by-step process. 

Apply for an export or trade licence with SPIRE, the online export licensing system. You will need to be aware of UK sanctions regimes and how they might impact your export opportunities.

Other useful sources of information on sanctions are:

MOD supplier payments

The government aims to pay 90% of undisputed and valid invoices from SMEs within 5 days. Additionally, 100% of all undisputed and valid invoices should be paid within 30 days.

MOD’s supplier payment information can be found here. For FY 2023/24, average payment within 5 days was 89.13%, and average payment within 30 days was 99.29%.

MOD suppliers are paid through Exostar.

Report a procurement concern

The Public Procurement Review Service (PPRS) sits within the Cabinet Office and allows government suppliers (and potential government suppliers) to raise concerns anonymously about poor public sector procurement practice.

Email PPRS if you have a concern about a procurement process or a problem with payment on a public contract: publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

PPRS report on the trends in the issues raised and makes recommendations on how to improve, and publish monthly results from their investigations .

Further information

The information on this page is maintained by the MOD’s Industry Collaboration and Strategic Supplier Engagement team. Please email defcomrclSSM-Suppliers@mod.gov.uk if you have any questions not addressed on this page.

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