The Accreditation of Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) Soldier Training

Concepts

• special education
• me geo soldiers
• me geo
• soldiers
• quality training
• soldier training
• soldiers career prospects
• military engineer geographic
• training
• accredited

Location

Defence School of Military Survey(RSMS)

Description

Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) soldiers currently complete two courses at the Defence School of Geospatial Intelligence (DSGI), which are accredited as a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc) under contract with a UK University. The accreditation process must align with established standards, including curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, student outcomes, and institutional resources. The contract duration is from 01 July 2025 to 30 June 2027 with an option for an additional one-year option, which could extend the total duration 30 June 2028.

Total Quantity or Scope

The accreditation supports the Ministry of Defence strategic goal of ensuring a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting operational demands now and in the future. The accreditation also enables the DSGI to maintain quality training, professional development, and career opportunities for ME Geo soldiers, offering them valuable civilian-recognised qualifications. The contract with a UK University ensures these programs meet academic and industry standards, enhancing both the military profession and soldiers' career prospects.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 80340000 - Special education services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

It is considered that single source procurement of a contract for the provision of an 11 month Military Engineer (ME Geo) Class 2 course with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) can be undertaken for technical reasons in accordance with 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 due to the absence of competition is absent for technical reasons. These technical reasons are based on specific interoperability requirements under the accreditation process, which must be fulfilled by SHU to ensure the continued operation of the services being provided. The contract will be for a length of 24 months at a value of £203,551.14. In the case of the university level degree accreditation contract, it is not feasible to transition to a new provider for student cohorts who are already part way through their studies. The process for accreditation means that the students must remain with the original accreditor, as set out below. Soldiers must attend an 11-month Military Engineer Geographic (ME Geo) Class 2 course, successful completion of which results in soldiers being awarded 120 credits at Level 4 and 5, as they are considered qualified at that point to be assigned into their first military role. Following completion of their first military role in an operational unit, the soldiers subsequently return to complete an 11 month ME Geo Class 1 course, which must be undertaken with the original educational accreditor, gaining the requisite additional 100 credits at Level 5 and 6 to enable award of the Batchelor of Science (BSc). Both Class 1 and Class 2 courses were developed by the Authority in consultation with SHU. As a result of this, accreditation cannot be transferred between accrediting bodies. Moving to a new provider would require the full re-validation process for all student courses which have already been accredited by SHU and the existing student courses must therefore be completed and accredited by SHU. The Authority is currently developing a revised course structure in order to conduct a competitive procurement of the Military Engineer (ME Geo) course in the future. It is currently anticipated that this will be launched by 30/06/2027.