QinetiQ, AtkinsRéalis and BMT have joined forces to form The Aurora Engineering Partnership. This brings together considerable cross-sector and non-defence experience, supported by a world class Provider Network of specialist providers.

About QinetiQ

QinetiQ is a leading science and engineering company operating primarily in the defence, security and critical infrastructure markets. We work in partnership with our customers to solve real world problems through innovative solutions delivering operational and competitive advantage. We are 6000 people creating new ways of protecting what matters most; testing technologies, systems, and processes to make sure they work as expected; and enabling customers to deploy new and enhanced-existing capabilities with the assurance they will deliver the outcomes required.

About AtkinsRéalis

AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional services and project management company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We are proud to have worked with the MOD for over three decades on some of the most critical systems and infrastructure projects covering the maritime, land, air and joint domains.

About BMT

BMT provides independent technical expertise and consultancy. We offer design solutions, asset management, programme delivery and technology services in the defence, security, transport, energy and infrastructure markets. We tackle the most complex engineering and programme challenges, blending capabilities from the spectrum of engineering disciplines to deliver enduring and value-adding solutions.

About the Provider Network

We have 230 companies signed up to our EDP Provider Network with the capability and capacity to sustain MOD in-scope requirements.

Our Provider Network strategy and SME-friendly terms and conditions have created open and inclusive opportunities to join the Provider Network. As a result, nearly 75% of the companies in the Provider Network are SMEs.

Advisory Group

The Provider Network Advisory Group has been established with representatives for the following categories:

• Micro Provider (Quast)
• Small Provider (Ebeni)
• Medium Provider (Aviation Requirements)
• Large Provider (BAE Surface Ships)

The Advisory Group also includes industry bodies ADS and Tech UK.

Building the Provider Network

The Aurora Provider Network is established through a rigorous tender process which included the following four stages:

Stage 1: Expressions of Interest (EOI) utilising social media direct broadcast to organisations in the existing supply chains and trade bodies (including ADS and Tech UK).

Stage 2: Aurora Engineering Partnership created a webinar to enable industry to judge whether participation in the PQQ process would be worthwhile based on their own organisations' capability and interests.

Stage 3: Those individuals that viewed the webinar and who wished to proceed with a pre-qualification submission were invited to register on CurtisFitch, an e-sourcing software suite customised for the Aurora Engineering Partnership.

Stage 4: Pre-qualification assessment process evaluated both Technical and Commercial aspects of each pre-qualification submission.

Approved Providers are invited to compete for work under the Aurora Engineering Partnership in line with their approved category codes.

In certain circumstances, work can be undertaken on individual discrete tasks by companies outside of the Provider Network. For example, where the contracting Authority has directed to use a specific company or where a unique capability that is not already available in the Provider Network is required.

Sustaining the Provider Network

The Aurora Engineering Partnership manages access to the Provider Network on a cyclical basis to provide a dynamic environment for approved suppliers to win work.

The Aurora Provider Network is being refreshed in 2025 and will be open for new applications in late June. For more information, see our latest blog.

EDP Provider Network Refresh (Expression of Interest)

Thank you for your interest in joining the EDP Provider Network. Please complete the Expression of Interest form to receive all updates and invitations to the Provider Network Refresh briefing and qualification process.

Futures Lab: Powering Defence Innovation

Futures Lab, powered by the Engineering Delivery Partnership (EDP), is a responsive and trusted service dedicated to providing impartial decision support and constructive challenge in response to the ever-evolving threats facing the defence environment.

Since its inception in 2021, Futures Lab has enabled defence to cohere innovation challenges, de-risk investment decisions, and accelerate delivery of services through a pan-industry network of providers and academia.

As part of the newly formed UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) within the office of the National Armaments Director (NAD), Futures Lab contributes directly to the UKDI’s mission of accelerating a delivery of cutting-edge innovative capabilities to ensure that the United Kingdom is secure both at home and strong abroad.

Access through EDP

Futures Lab is available through the EDP, Defence Equipment & Supports’ (DE&S) default route to market for engineering services. Operating through this framework ensures that defence can access cutting-edge military capability development while leveraging the full breadth of industry expertise.

A Trusted, Collaborative Interface

Collaborative by nature, the Futures Lab team acts as a knowledgeable and reliable interface between stakeholders across defence, industry, and academia. These teams provide evidence-based decision support tailored to the needs of the Front Line Commands (FLCs), guiding them from ideation through to exploitation. Futures Lab delivers the right expertise, advice, and evidence at the right time by bringing together a spectrum of knowledge and specialist expertise that benefit from cognitive diversity.

Characteristics of an Industry Mission Partner

Futures Lab embodies five defining characteristics of an industry mission partner:

1. Strategic alignment and advisory - supporting defence in shaping future capability priorities.
2. Technology and capability development – accelerating innovation and delivering leading-edge solutions as part of UKDI.
3. Workforce and skills development – building defence and industry capacity through an agile, responsive benefit mapping and articulation framework.
4. Operational and mission enablement – strengthening the ability of FLCs to respond to emerging challenges as Futures Lab operates across defence.
5. Innovation and Research & Development (R&D) collaboration – engaging the wider innovation ecosystem to translate promising research into deployable capability.

Embedding Integrated Procurement Principles

Futures Lab also exemplifies the principles of an integrated procurement model: ensuring early access to industry, enabling collaborative planning, and capturing whole-life value in defence engagements. This approach ensures innovation is not only adopted but also embedded sustainably to deliver lasting impact.

Futures Lab Provider Network

The network spans over 280 organisations, of which over 70% are micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and seventeen (17) are leading UK universities. In recognition of the ever-evolving demands of defence capability, Futures Lab sustains an open and dynamic provider network. To ensure fresh perspectives are seamlessly integrated, we hold New Joiners Briefing on first Monday of each month – an entry point for innovators to align with our mission and to contribute to tomorrow’s solutions.