Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-sell-to-dstl-industry-academia-and-other-research-organisations

Change description : 2026-01-26 17:42:00: Updated with latest advice on how to work with Dstl. [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-09-25 09:16:53.305904002 +00:00..2026-01-26 17:42:48.128451218 +00:00

Guidance

How to sell to or work with Dstl

HowAs suppliersa fromsupplier, industryfind andout academiahow canto work with theus. DefenceThere Scienceare andvarious Technologyroutes Laboratoryyou (Dstl).can follow.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) workswork with a range of suppliers to provide customers with the best science and technologytechnology, expertise,research insights and solutionscapabilities to protect the UK’s security and advance the UK’s defence interests.

Explore ourOur capabilities and examples of our work, fromcovers high-poweredeverything lasersfrom space to operationalartificial analysis.intelligence.

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  • View werecent workrules with

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  • Check seeout our criteria18-month forforward sciencepipeline andof technologyfuture potential procurement.

    activity by Dstl welcomesand suppliersthe ofMOD

  • Understand allthe types:government’s industry,vision academia,for researchUK centresdefence andin otherthe partsStrategic ofDefence theReview Ministry2025

  • Who ofwe Defencework (MOD). with

    We alsowork collaborate with otherexternal publicsuppliers sectorunless bodiesthere’s anda partnersclear acrossreason government.not Suppliersto: cansee beour anycriteria size,for includingscience start-ups,and micro,technology procurement decision process

    Suppliers can be small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and consortia, and they don’t have to have worked with Dstl, the MOD or in the defence sector before.

    WorkSMEs: withA Dstl

    Benefitsguide ofto working with government provides advice for small and medium sized enterprises on how to bid for and win government contracts.

    The Dstl

    When SME action plan 2020 to 2025 tells you more about what we are doing to make it easier for SMEs to work with us, you will:including:

    • benefitproviding fromclearer increased funding for defenceguidance
    • testmaking andsure improveour conceptsframework withsupply inputpartners fromadvertise memberssub-contracting ofopportunities
    • simplifying theour armedcontracting forcesprocess
    • gainensuring accessthat SMEs are paid topromptly

    Benefits state-of-the-artof facilitiesworking forwith developmentus

    Suppliers andwill testinghave the opportunity to:

    • work with top scientists and technologists at the cutting edge of innovation
    • benefit from increased funding for defence
    • test and improve concepts with input from members of the armed forces
    • benefit from the experience and expertise of otherour Dstlframework supply partners
    • retaingain intellectualaccess propertyto rights,state-of-the-art boostingfacilities longer-termfor prosperitydevelopment and testing
    • beretain paidintellectual promptlyproperty forrights, yourboosting worklonger-term prosperity
    • have a real impact on improving the UK’s security and defence

    TheWork Powerwith of PartnershipsDstl

    HowBefore toyou sell to or work with us

    Recent

    We changesexpect tosuppliers public sector procurement

    Changes to publicdo sectorall procurementof camethe intofollowing:

    Find
  • comply opportunities to sell to or work with us
  • with Dstl’s quality advertises all requirements

  • comply onwith asecurity number of portals.

    Defence Sourcing Portal

    Use the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP)requirements for selling to findor allworking with Dstl

  • Suppliers andshould MOD’salso advertised requirements. Access and registration is free and you can set up tailored notifications to be alertedaware toof newguidance opportunities.

    Contractson trading Finder

    Searchwith Contracts Finderthe EU, for contracts valued over £12,000 including VAT. It includes opportunities within government departments and public bodies. Access is free.

    Find a Tender

    Use the that UK Government’sprocurement centralrules Findare aset Tenderto servicechange with tothe removal searchof and apply for high value contracts in the UK’s public and utilities sectors. High value contracts are usually above £139,688 including VAT.

    Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA350 EU) laws occasionally runs funding opportunities on our behalf. They are advertised on the same portals..

    R-Cloud

    R-Cloud is now the main place that Dstl reserves opportunitiesthe toright bid for work are being made available, including PhD funding. You can sign up and create an account at any time and registration is completely free.

    R-Cloud is a dynamic system that matches suppliers’ capabilities and skills to ourexclude requirements. If matched to a requirement,supplier wewho willhas invitebeen suppliersconvicted toof expressany theirof interest in the opportunityoffences andor takemisconduct partlisted in aeither competitivethe MOD or Dstl ‘statement tenderrelating process.to Thisgood all happens within the R-Cloud portal.standing.

    If

    How you’reto interestedsell into workingor work with Dstl, register on R-Cloud and create a supplier account.

    us

    You can either sell directly to us,Dstl, or be part of the wider Dstl supply chain, working with other Dstlour suppliers.existing framework supply partners.

    Sell directly to Dstl

    WeBy default we buy all goods and services through open competition, as set out in UK law for public sector procurement, and follow MOD’s procurement process (we but Dstl do not currently use MOD’s contracting, purchasing and finance (CP and F) system.system).

    DstlWe doesdo not operate preferred‘preferred’ supplier lists.

    How open competition works

    The following will usually happen:happen in a typical competition:

    1. We advertise our requirements.
    2. Suppliers provide an expression of interest and complete a pre-qualification questionnaire (the pre-qualification stage can be skipped for certain requirements).
    3. If suppliers meet the pre-qualification selection criteria, we invite them to tender.
    4. We evaluate tenders using pre-agreed, objective assessment criteria, and also take account of social value in our evaluations.
    5. We choose a supplier or suppliers based on this assessment.
    6. We award the contract to the successful bidder and give feedback to all suppliers who want it.

    Find opportunities to sell to or work with us

    Our contract notices make it clear when opportunities are suitable for consortia to tender. For example, smaller companies can collaborate with other SMEs to meet the requirements.

    BeSearch partportals

    Search ofthe DstlDefence Sourcing Portal (DSP’s) supplyfor chain:tender workand withcontract ouropportunities supplyvalued partnersover £10,000 (access and registration is free).

    DstlSearch hasthe scienceContracts Finder portal for contracts valued over £12,000. This portal includes opportunities from other government departments and technologypublic (S&T)bodies framework(access agreementsis forfree useof acrosscharge).

    Sign Defenceup to R-Cloud

    Sign up to R-Cloud a system that matches suppliers’ capabilities and widerskills government.to our requirements. If youmatched areto a supplierrequirement, interestedwe invite suppliers to express their interest in workingthe opportunity and take part in ana areacompetitive supportedtender byprocess.

    Explore theseother frameworks,options

    The Defence contactand Security Accelerator occasionally runs funding opportunities on our behalf.

    We also operate a number of PhD programmes. We welcome applications to PhD level research calls from UK institutions with leading academics, research groups or research centres, including public sector research establishments (PSREs).

    Below £10,000

    Requirements below £10,000 are often one-off projects. These are procured or bought in accordance with Dstl’s policy for low value purchasing.

    Be part of the government supply chain

    Suppliers can join one of our framework Primeagreements Contractor.to become part of the government supply chain.

    OurThe current frameworks are:

    Other

    For further details including when frameworks start and routesfinish and which supplier to market

    contact, go to our procurement framework page.

    WeView occasionallyour usescience otherand publictechnology sectorportfolio, routesdetails toof marketpurchasing agreements (frameworks) and frameworkswider MOD opportunities suchfor as: suppliers.

    .

    Supply our infrastructure

    ForOur capital works and construction projects werange typicallyfrom use:£1 million to £300 million. We also use existing public sector frameworks wherever possible.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 July 2014
    Last updated 2625 JanuarySeptember 20262025 + show all updates
    1. Updated with latest advice on how to work with Dstl.

    2. Review and update of page content.

    3. Next Searchlight webinar 2 June 2025 at 2pm. Register online.

    4. Added new information for supplying our infrastructure.

    5. Added link to additional guidance for defence and security contracts relating to the Procurement Act 2023.

    6. Removed links to Cabinet Office procurement webinars as these dates have now passed.

    7. Added links to information for suppliers about changes to public procurement from 24 February 2025.

    8. Removed link to registering for webinar on the Procurement Act 2024 on 1 February 2024.

    9. Added link for registering to attend the webinar on the Procurement Act on 1 February 2024.

    10. Added link to a recently published series of Knowledge Drop guidance which provides an overview of the Procurement Act 2023. Aimed at: suppliers who deliver contracts to the UK public, utilities and defence sectors, who take part in competitive procurements or have delivered contracts under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011, and the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016, or new entrants who would like to do so in the future.

    11. Added link for pre-registration of Searchlight Science & Technology Solutions Showcase event.

    12. Separated sign-up mechanism for new suppliers from survey for existing suppliers, following feedback.

    13. New security guidance for selling to or working with Dstl

    14. Added link to Defence Science and Technology collaboration and engagement strategy, and added link to Dstl supplier registration survey.

    15. R-Cloud is now available again after a period of maintenance.

    16. Added details of new webinar briefing industry on Dstl's new commercial approach, and a notice that R-Cloud is currently not available for a period of 3 to 4 weeks while we carry out maintenance.

    17. Added link to latest series of webinars for suppliers.

    18. Updated Dstl Capability and Framework Guide and 'How you can sell to or work with us' section, and added link to MOD acquisition pipeline.

    19. Added new 'Work with Dstl' video and link to new MOD Science and Technology Portfolio.

    20. Added link to register for Supercharging Science 2022, a free MOD science and technology summit for industry and academia.

    21. Added details of forthcoming webinars.

    22. Updated Dstl Capability and Framework Guide.

    23. Updated links to S&T procurement framework information, under the heading 'Be part of the wider Dstl supply chain'.

    24. Updated Dstl Capability and Framework Guide.

    25. Fully updated guide including expectations for suppliers and how to find opportunities.

    26. Updated sections on transparency and engaging with small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

    27. Updated Framework and Capabilities.

    28. Updated frameworks and capabilities

    29. Updated guidance added

    30. Addition of information of SME Searchlight initiative

    31. Added a new academic alliance

    32. A web link edit.

    33. Description and length of term amended on University Defence Research Collaboration (UDRC) in Signal Processing.

    34. Added a new open call for the University Defence Research Collaboration in signal processing

    35. Removed MURI (Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative) from list of ways to work with us, as none are currently planned.

    36. Added Serapis details.

    37. Updating CDE with the Defence and Security Accelerator following organisational change

    38. Added information and link for the Dstl Synthetic Environment Tower of Excellence (SE Tower).

    39. Added details of the US DoD Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) programme.

    40. Added information about Easy Access IP.

    41. First published.

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    Update history

    2026-01-26 17:42
    Updated with latest advice on how to work with Dstl.

    2025-09-25 10:16
    Review and update of page content.

    2025-05-13 15:31
    Next Searchlight webinar 2 June 2025 at 2pm. Register online.

    2025-03-18 16:57
    Added new information for supplying our infrastructure.

    2025-02-20 15:22
    Added link to additional guidance for defence and security contracts relating to the Procurement Act 2023.

    2025-01-24 15:30
    Removed links to Cabinet Office procurement webinars as these dates have now passed.

    2025-01-07 14:48
    Added links to information for suppliers about changes to public procurement from 24 February 2025.

    2024-02-02 09:39
    Removed link to registering for webinar on the Procurement Act 2024 on 1 February 2024.

    2024-01-15 15:58
    Added link for registering to attend the webinar on the Procurement Act on 1 February 2024.

    2023-12-29 10:45
    Added link to a recently published series of Knowledge Drop guidance which provides an overview of the Procurement Act 2023. Aimed at: suppliers who deliver contracts to the UK public, utilities and defence sectors, who take part in competitive procurements or have delivered contracts under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011, and the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016, or new entrants who would like to do so in the future.

    2023-09-07 09:53
    New security guidance for selling to or working with Dstl

    2023-02-13 15:29
    Added link to Defence Science and Technology collaboration and engagement strategy, and added link to Dstl supplier registration survey.

    2022-12-16 09:30
    R-Cloud is now available again after a period of maintenance.

    2022-12-01 17:18
    Added details of new webinar briefing industry on Dstl’s new commercial approach, and a notice that R-Cloud is currently not available for a period of 3 to 4 weeks while we carry out maintenance.

    2022-07-11 17:43
    Added link to latest series of webinars for suppliers.

    2022-06-23 15:28
    Updated Dstl Capability and Framework Guide and ‘How you can sell to or work with us’ section, and added link to MOD acquisition pipeline.

    2022-06-07 08:36
    Added new ‘Work with Dstl’ video and link to new MOD Science and Technology Portfolio.

    2022-03-24 12:23
    Added link to register for Supercharging Science 2022, a free MOD science and technology summit for industry and academia.