Defence Equipment and Support

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the Ministry of Defence’s procurement arm, manages an annual spend of approximately £14 billion across a vast portfolio of contracts supporting the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force. The scale and complexity of this expenditure required enhanced commercial capability to ensure value for money, mitigate risk and deliver mission-critical outcomes. DE&S sought to strengthen its procurement and contract management functions to meet these demands effectively.

G&T, as part of the Paragon joint venture led by Mace and Turner & Townsend, was appointed as a commercial delivery partner to DE&S. G&T provided Contract Administration and Procurement services, bringing best practice commercial skills from the construction industry to the defence sector. Working within integrated client teams, G&T supported DE&S in delivering contracts ranging from competitive commodities to bespoke capital programmes. Services included advising on tender processes, contract drafting and management, cost analysis to demonstrate value for money, and identifying risks and opportunities. This approach optimised DE&S’s procurement processes and contract management strategies.

Through G&T’s involvement, DE&S enhanced its commercial operations, leading to more efficient procurement processes and improved contract management. The integration of industry best practices contributed to delivering better value for money and reduced risk across DE&S’s extensive contract portfolio. This collaboration has supported the effective functioning of the UK’s armed forces by ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of essential equipment and services.