Tenders/WECDIS & Combat System Interface Unit (WIU CSIU)

WECDIS & Combat System Interface Unit (WIU CSIU)

Defence Equipment and Support

Published: Sep 14, 2026

Updated: Sep 14, 2026

About This Opportunity

This is a supplies contract in the information and communication technology, legal services, governance and public administration and transport and logistics sectors, with a focus on Anti Corruption, Maritime and Intellectual Property. Located in United Kingdom, Europe, this opportunity is open to firms and consortiums.

Published through UK FTS - Find a Tender Service, a national government procurement portal. Public procurement tenders follow the country's national bidding regulations and may have specific eligibility and documentation requirements for the supply of goods in the information and communication technology sector. Supply contracts typically require bidders to demonstrate product compliance with technical specifications, delivery capacity, and relevant certifications. This is an advance notice — the formal tender is expected to be published shortly. Interested parties can use this time to prepare documentation and identify potential partners.

Description

The National Armaments Director Group, part of the Ministry of Defence, intends to award a contract for the design, manufacture, installation and assurance of a replacement Warship Electronic Chart Display and Information (WECDIS) Interface Unit (WIU) and Combat System Interface Unit (CSIU) (together the Interfaces) to OSI Maritime Ltd (OSI). The contract will be for a term of two years and have an estimated value of £15m (inc VAT). It is considered that this contract can be awarded under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 because the direct award justification specified in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 (single supplier – technical reasons) applies. This is because the WIU and CSIU are required to interface with an upgraded WECDIS being procured from OSI (and which was the subject of a separate transparency notice (reference X) published on X) and both Interfaces need to be integrated into the wider architecture of systems currently installed on Royal Navy platforms, all of which are supplied, supported and assured by OSI. These include the Electronic Chart Precise Integrated Navigation System (EPCIS) and Warship Automatic Identification System (WAIS). Only OSI has the necessary intellectual property rights, technical drawings and expertise to design, manufacture, install and assure replacement Interfaces which are compatible with existing Royal Navy architecture. There are no reasonable alternatives. The current CSIU/WIU supplier has been approached to ensure continuity of supply, but the equipment support package which includes an update to the WIU/CSIU component, does not offer value for money and will therefore not be progressed. The Authority considered alternative procurement approaches prior to selecting the proposed route to market. Following assessment of the available options, OSI Maritime Ltd was identified as the only viable supplier capable of delivering the requirement whilst maintaining compatibility with the existing ECPINS, WECDIS and WAIS architecture and meeting the Authority's technical, operational and safety requirements.

Data provenance

This notice is sourced from UK FTS - Find a Tender Service and was originally published on September 14, 2026. Last refreshed 6 days ago. Reference: 086773-2026. BidsFactory mirrors official procurement notices and links back to the source for full legal text.

About Defence Equipment and Support

Defence Equipment and Support has issued 236 procurement notices on BidsFactory, including 17 currently open and 134 awarded contracts. Activity concentrates in Governance & Public Administration, General Supplies & Services, and Security, Defense & Justice. All notices are published for United Kingdom. Notices are distributed via UK FTS - Find a Tender Service. Most recent publication: September 18, 2026.

Frequently asked questions about this tender

What type of contract is this?

This is a Supplies contract in the Information & Communication Technology sector. The classification helps bidders match the opportunity to their qualifications and registered scope of supply.

Where will the contract be performed?

The contract is for delivery in United Kingdom. Foreign bidders should review local registration, taxation, and any in-country presence requirements before submitting.

How can I submit a bid?

Visit UK FTS - Find a Tender Service to access the full notice, required documents, and submission instructions. Quote reference 086773-2026 when communicating with the contracting authority.

Who is the contracting authority?

This notice was issued by Defence Equipment and Support in United Kingdom. The authority is responsible for evaluating bids, awarding the contract, and managing performance.