Planning

Universal Heavy-lift UAV Carriage System

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

21 Feb 2024 at 11:35

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

21 Feb 2024 at 09:18

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

16 Feb 2024 at 10:00

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is planning a tender for a Universal Heavy-lift UAV Carriage System in the military defence services category. The engagement end date for this planning stage is set for 15th March 2024. The system must have a combined carriage capacity of 150-200kg and be easily attachable and detachable by ground personnel for swift delivery of payloads. The procurement process is currently in the planning stage, and interested parties are encouraged to express their interest for potential participation.

This tender by the Ministry of Defence presents an opportunity for businesses involved in developing universal carriage systems for Heavy-lift UAVs. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community and social enterprise organizations (VCSEs) would be well-suited to participate. The desired system must be capable of carrying logistic, equipment support, and medical items to be used primarily in land and littoral domains. Businesses with experience in UAV technologies and military equipment development are likely to find this tender relevant and beneficial for their growth.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Universal Heavy-lift UAV Carriage System

Notice Description

We desire a universal carriage system for Heavy-lift UAVs that is platform agnostic. We aim to: Draw on the knowledge and experience of industry to develop and optimize such a system; Inform its emerging doctrinal applications; and better understand the balance of both systemic and situational risk factors associated with its use. To date, experimentation and development of UAV carriage-of-equipment has largely been focused on individual UAV platforms and the attachment of various items direct to the platform. However, this has generally required the UAV to land; has proven to be relatively slow in reconfiguration; and has required various additional safety restrictions to ensure personnel interacting with the system are at ALARP risk. Direct attachment of unproven loads may also compromise the in-flight stability/agility of the UAV. Initial requirements for the desired universal carriage system: - Optimized for combined carriage capacity of 150-200kg. - Easily configured to carry a selection of Logistic, Equipment Support and Medical items (e.g. water, ammunition, food, batteries, fuel, medical supplies etc.) and usable in multiple domains (primarily Land and Littoral) for the sub-unit resupply and recovery of these items. - Capable of rapid reconfiguration to evacuate casualties in emergency circumstances, while mitigating as many risks to those individuals as possible. To note, while the system is not intended for use as a casualty extraction method, there is an expectation that ground forces may want to use it for this purpose in extremis. - Fast and safe interaction with the UAV - The carriage system must be easily attachable and detachable by ground personnel for the swift delivery or recovery of different payloads. This should also enable the interchange of multiple carriage systems if located at different points in the battlespace. The attachment point must be robust to mitigate the risk of unintended detachment, ideally with a secondary lock as an additional safety measure. The system should be attachable and detachable both when the UAV hovers above or if it is on the ground. It is intended that the Authority will hold a supplier day in the near future. Additional information: Please register your expression of interest in solving this problem by emailing Maj G Harvey (graham.harvey618@mod.gov.uk) with your desired contact details and a very brief summary of your experience and interest on this subject. At the closing date of this Open Early Engagement, details of a supplier day will be shared using these contact details to provide all interested parties with the opportunity to ask questions and discuss in more detail.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-1db3438f-2a14-4e9a-8426-27a58ef4bd22
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/18a7e05e-9772-4f30-ad1b-9da9e842f5c9
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

CPV Codes

75221000 - Military defence services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Feb 20242 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 Mar 2024Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Maj G Harvey
Contact Email
graham.harvey618@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
W12 7RZ
Post Town
West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI33 Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Hammersmith and Fulham
Electoral Ward
College Park & Old Oak
Westminster Constituency
Ealing Central and Acton

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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