Guidance

Dstl science and technology procurement frameworks

How suppliers can participate in our frameworks and how customers can use Dstl frameworks to procure science and technology (S&T) research.

Documents

Details

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), as the MOD S&T category manager, has established strategic S&T framework agreements for use across government.

These frameworks are an efficient way for UK government to engage science and technology suppliers and for suppliers to become part of the UK government S&T supply chain.

Dstl work with industry including small and medium-sized enterprises and academia to help deliver the science behind UK security and defence.

Each of the frameworks covers a specific area of science and technology; some are sub-divided into lots. Each framework or lot is managed by a lead contractor. The frameworks are:

  • Analysis for science and technology research in defence (ASTRID) framework
  • Serapis framework, covering C4ISR (command, control, computers, communication, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), space systems, synthetic environments and simulation technology
  • Weapons sector research framework (WSRF)

Dstl also uses a dynamic procurement system called R-Cloud to match suppliers’ capabilities and skills to our requirements. Register to join the R-Cloud at any time.

Read our full guidance on how to sell to or work with Dstl.

Updates to this page

Published 18 August 2021
Last updated 12 July 2024 + show all updates
  1. The current ASTRID framework is now available until 8 April 2027.

  2. Removed Progeny information.

  3. The Human social science research capability (HSSRC) framework is now closed.

  4. The Electronic warfare and cyber (EW&C) framework is now closed.

  5. Updated information about the end of the Electronic warfare and cyber (EW&C) framework in November 2022.

  6. Updated information about Progeny Maritime Research Framework.

  7. Updated information about EW&C framework.

  8. Added information about Weapons Sector Research Framework (WSRF).

  9. First published.

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