This page outlines how DSP AWARD® is used across the UK Ministry of Defence’s strategic procurement projects.
The Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) has replaced Defence Contracts Online (DCO) and provides MOD’s e-sourcing platform. The DSP e-sourcing platform is provided by JAGGAER and Commerce Decisions in partnership, delivering a proven integrated procurement solution to the UK MOD.
Partnership & Capabilities
JAGGAER and Commerce Decisions have been partners since 2005:
- JAGGAER provides the e-sourcing system and supports the procurement process end-to-end
- Commerce Decisions provides AWARD®, our specialist solution for strategic procurements
When to Use DSP AWARD®
Once bid responses are returned, complex projects transfer to DSP AWARD® for detailed evaluation, negotiation and debrief. Your project will need AWARD® if any of the following apply:
- High risk or high value
- Particularly sensitive
- Multi-lot
- Using Willingness to Pay
- Contains ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations)
The video below provides further explanation of when DSP AWARD® should be used:
Proven Track Record of AWARD®
AWARD® has been used by MOD projects since 2001, providing over two decades of proven expertise in supporting strategic procurement projects.
Expert Services & Additional Functionality
Commerce Decisions expert services team provides comprehensive support from planning through to contract award. Our JAGGAER-accredited consultants deliver specialist expertise across the full procurement lifecycle:
- Robust Criteria Development – Building defensible evaluation criteria
- Effective Weighting – Determining appropriate criterion weightings
- Value for Money – Defining and delivering best value approaches
- Sensitivity Analysis – Testing evaluation outcomes under different scenarios
- Risk & Cost Scenarios – Developing risk profiles and cost modelling
- Negotiation Support – Expert guidance during commercial negotiations
- Competitive Dialogue – Support for complex dialogue procedures
- DSP Application Support – Expert assistance with procurement procedures
Commerce Decisions expert services and AWARD® remain available to MOD project teams via a framework contract owned by Defence Commercial. Services can be contracted using the same approach that has been in place since the AWARD® Enterprise Agreement was established in 2013.
Classification & Security Considerations
For classified procurements: If you need to tender above OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE, or your project has additional risk considerations, AWARD® is installed on MODNET/RLI or SLI to support secure evaluation.
Get Started Today
We’re here to support you with the process of implementing DSP and transferring to DSP AWARD® when needed.
Contact Samantha Bevan-Talbot
Commerce Decisions Defence & Security Director
Email: Samantha.Bevan-Talbot101@mod.gov.uk
Phone: +44 7880 258535
Or contact the DBS team:
Email: DBSCS-ECFinanceTeam@mod.gov.uk
FAQs
The Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) is the UK Ministry of Defence’s e-sourcing platform that replaced Defence Contracts Online. It is used to manage and run procurement events such as supplier qualification and bid submission. The platform is delivered in partnership by JAGGAER and Commerce Decisions.
AWARD® is Commerce Decisions’ specialist evaluation solution for strategic procurements which integrates with the DSP. Once bids are returned via the DSP, projects that are high risk or complex are transferred into AWARD® for detailed evaluation, negotiation and debriefing.
The DSP e-sourcing system is provided by Jaggaer, while AWARD® is provided by Commerce Decisions. The two work together under a long-standing partnership to offer a robust procurement solution for the MOD.
Commerce Decisions offers expert support to help teams transfer into AWARD® and manage the evaluation process. This includes application support for DSP, expert evaluation design, negotiation support and other consultancy services throughout the procurement lifecycle.
