Digital and IT Professional Services (DIPS)
Framework Description
RM6249 Digital and IT Professional Services (DIPS) is a Government Commercial Agency (GCA, formerly Crown Commercial Service) framework for the Ministry of Defence, let under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011. It provides professional services and digital and IT resource across the full IT spectrum, organised in six capability-based lots. It runs until 16 November 2027, with no extension, and is available to MOD customers only.
Context & Use Case
The MOD uses DIPS to rationalise professional services spend and engage both industry partners and SMEs through a single route. Each lot can meet a range of requirements, but a single call-off cannot span several lots. Call-off contracts have no fixed limit on duration, which suits long-running defence programmes. Buyers are MOD teams only.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Solution, Enterprise & Tech Architecture, Data, Innovation Tech Assurance & KIM Lot 2: Dev, Apps, UX, DevOps, Sys Design & App Support Lot 3: Cyber Security, Crypto, Sec Ops & Integrated Systems Lot 4: Infrastructure, Data Centre, Hardware Engineers & Telecoms Lot 5: Project, Programme and Portfolio Management (P3M) Lot 6: Intelligence Solutions
Lots
Lot 1: Solution, Enterprise & Tech Architecture, Data, Innovation Tech Assurance & KIM; Lot 2: Dev, Apps, UX, Dev Ops, Sys Design & App Support; Lot 3: Cyber Security, Crypto, Sec Ops & Integrated systems; Lot 4: Infrastructure Data Centre, Hardware engineers & Telecoms; Lot 5: Project, Programme and Portfolio Management (P3M); Lot 6: Intelligence Solutions
Who Can Apply
Suits digital, IT and defence-focused suppliers with security-cleared staff. Membership is fixed, with up to seven providers per lot, so others cannot join before 16 November 2027. The successor arrangement is the next way in, alongside subcontracting with appointed suppliers.
Buyer Benefits
Defence buyers need cleared, capable people quickly for sensitive work. They value capability-based lots that match their programmes, a small number of providers per lot, SME access, and call-offs without a fixed duration for long-term needs. Fixed lot sizes also keep competitions manageable.
Next Steps
Appointed suppliers should engage with MOD pipeline sharing and prepare for call-offs. Others cannot join before November 2027, so monitor GCA and MOD announcements on the replacement, likely procured during 2027, and build security clearances, defence case studies and cyber accreditations in the meantime.
How Athena Can Help
The DIPS successor is the main opening for new suppliers. Athena's framework pursuit planning helps you choose capability lots and build defence evidence ahead of the notice.
For appointed suppliers, our defence bid management covers win themes, competitor scoring and pricing. Our public sector defence bids support keeps responses compliant with DSPCR rules. We also compliance-check every submission and offer a Bid Health Check on drafts, so weak answers are fixed before the deadline.
