Published 28 August 2020.

Seven-year contract will meet Defence’s enduring requirement for earth-moving, engineer construction and mechanical handling capabilities

DE&S have placed a £240 million contract to maintain, manage and support the MOD’s fleet of construction, protected plant and mechanical handling vehicles.

Awarded to AmeyBriggs, the seven-year contract will meet Defence’s enduring requirement for earth-moving, engineer construction and mechanical handling capabilities and support operational/non-operational tasks overseas and in the UK.

Vehicles within the fleet include excavators, bulldozers, cranes and forklift trucks.

It sees three existing contracts – Defence Mechanical Handling Equipment, Protected Engineering Equipment and C-Vehicle capability – brought under one umbrella contract called ‘MITER.’

When the merger of these capability contracts is complete it is expected to save defence £136 million over the next 10 years and sustain jobs across the UK.

The MITER capability is a key Defence enabler as it underpins both peace time activities, and defence deployments and operations around the world, including activities at sea.

In recent years equipment has also been used to help with recovery activities following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and Dorian in the Caribbean, and during major flooding incidents in the UK, as well as supporting the military response to COVID-19.

MITER maximises efficiency and value for money by providing a “Whole Force” approach that includes a fleet of equipment, personnel for military tasks, new information system, infrastructure and support under a service provision arrangement.

Simon Herrington, who led the DE&S team securing the contract, said: “This has been a culmination of five years hard work with a small dedicated project team assisted with subject matter experts and a very good working relationship with the Army as lead customer. This hard work and collaborative working has resulted in the project being able to declare a £136 million efficiency for DE&S and Army, a really great achievement.”

AmeyBriggs is a new joint venture between infrastructure support service provider Amey plc and Briggs Defence, a specialist division of asset management and engineering services provider Briggs Equipment.

Under MITER AmeyBriggs will not only manage and maintain this key equipment but also provide support for military personnel in its safe and effective use.

Major General Simon Hamilton CBE, Army Director Support said: “I’m particularly enthusiastic about Project MITER.  We have taken three previous overlapping mechanisms for provision of Mechanical Handling Equipment, Construction and Protected Plant and melded them into one to achieve efficiencies.

“Moreover, we have designed-in contractual innovation and flexibility by integrating a fleet of military, leased and hired equipments; this means we only pay for what we need when we need it, but can scale-up quickly as necessary; we will also benefit from emerging technologies as they develop.  Importantly, MITER embraces a Whole Force Approach, presenting opportunities for enhancing the skills of both regular and reserve personnel.”

To manage the contract around 180 staff and supply chain partners will be transferred into AmeyBriggs from the current support teams which brings together a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience.

Chris Bushell, Director General (Land) at DE&S said: “The successful contract award for MITER is an excellent example of DE&S and Industry working closely together to deliver an innovative solution. This will provide the Armed Forces with a key capability, to deliver operational effect all over the world, on time and at a price that represents great value for money.”

Jeremy Quin, Minister for Defence Procurement, added:“Our Armed Forces deserve the best equipment for their vital operations, both in the UK and right across the world. From humanitarian support to keeping our country safe, construction and mechanical vehicles are a key asset for defence.

“This contract is the result of excellent industry collaboration, and I am pleased that we are continuing to support jobs across the country.”