Tender

Heavy Lift Challenge

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

24 Jun 2021 at 16:00

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is inviting tenders for the "Heavy Lift Challenge," a procurement initiative aimed at accelerating the development of autonomous Heavy Lift Uncrewed Air Systems for maritime and other applications. This project falls under the category of electrical machinery, with an estimated value of £20 million and an open procurement method. Tenders must be submitted by 26th July 2021, before contract performance begins on 14th September 2021, lasting until 13th September 2025. The tender aims to increase market options for delivery-ready platforms to support the Royal Navy and facilitate product development.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses in the sectors of transportation equipment, IT services, and research and development. Companies specialising in autonomous systems, air transport solutions, or relevant software development would be particularly well-suited to compete. Small and medium-sized enterprises are encouraged to participate, as the procurement framework is designed to foster collaboration and innovation, ultimately enhancing the capabilities for beyond visual line of sight payload delivery in maritime contexts.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Heavy Lift Challenge

Notice Description

Heavy Lift Challenge (Contract Number: 701570378) The Heavy Lift Challenge (HLC) Framework (the Framework) has been created by the Authority in order to accelerate the development of a range of autonomous Heavy Lift Uncrewed Air Systems for use predominantly, but not exclusively, in the maritime domain. The intention is to address the lack of current options in the market by increasing the number of delivery ready platforms in order to help support and develop the Authority's understanding of the potential capabilities and uses for of such autonomous systems. The Authority will facilitate accelerated development of a number of Supplier Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) to meet or exceed the requirements of an Authority defined Minimum Viable Product. Our intent is to ensure that Defence will have access at the speed of relevance to current and future emerging cutting-edge capabilities for use within the Royal Navy and other domains. The Authority will facilitate, via the use of this competitive framework, an environment whereby suppliers are able to demonstrate current capabilities, set out product development and commercial exploitation roadmaps and work with both the Authority and potentially with other suppliers to accelerate pace of development and reduce time to market. The purpose of the HLC Framework is therefore to support and inform the development of Maritime operating concepts and enable assessment, analysis, exploration and evaluation of the use of un-crewed air systems (UAS) for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) payload delivery. The Framework is designed specifically to: i) provide Sponsor / User confidence in the potential for UAS systems to provide recoverable, adaptable, remotely piloted air systems, capable of accurately delivering heavy payloads at range; ii) enable the Authority to identify and as appropriate fund the most viable solutions in the market for accelerated further development in order to meet the Authority's minimum requirement (the Minimum Viable Product or "MVP") within the times stated, iii) provide the Authority with a mechanism for end users to potentially acquire for further evaluation or other use those solutions which demonstrably meet or exceed the MVP. Cyber Risk Profile: Not Applicable Cyber Risk Assessment Reference: 927478142

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-39a062eb-c2af-4748-8d1f-bea291d04217
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a0648a01-227a-4280-90f7-8f4c988f73fb
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

48 - Software package and information systems

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

31000000 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

34000000 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

48000000 - Software package and information systems

72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£20,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jun 20214 years ago
Submission Deadline
26 Jul 2021Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
13 Sep 2021 - 13 Sep 2025 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

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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