Planning

Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - RFI

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

27 Oct 2023 at 08:42

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

27 Oct 2023 at 08:36

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has initiated a tender titled "Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - RFI" in the air defence radar industry category. This procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with an engagement end date set for November 10, 2023. The authority seeks to replace the Mission Critical Briefing System for the Royal Air Force, essential for Quick Reaction Alert missions in the UK and Falklands Islands. The system will provide vital information exchange capabilities and must be deployable to various locations, including Forward Operating Bases, with the ability to operate on specific networks.

This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specializing in air defence radar systems and communications technology. Suitable businesses should have expertise in delivering complex communication systems, as the new capability required must operate on IP/4G/5G/wi-fi networks. The Ministry of Defence aims to procure a long-term solution that will be supportable until 2040, creating a significant growth opportunity for businesses that can meet the specified technical requirements and deployment needs. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with experience in defence technology and voice communication systems are well-suited to compete for this contract.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - RFI

Notice Description

Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - Request For Information (RFI) Additional information: Request For Information of Ministry of Defence - Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System Introduction The authority has a potential future requirement for the procurement and support of a replacement Mission Critical Briefing System for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Mission Critical Briefing System initiates Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions both in the UK and Falklands Islands (FI). Robust information exchange architecture with the minimum people in the chain is essential. The messages will be not above OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE. A long term, replacement solution is required that provides a capability at the QRA Main Operating Bases and supporting units, as well as to the QRA aircraft cockpit. In addition, to enable Agile Combat Employment (ACE),any replacement should be capable of being deployed and used at any mil/civ Forward Operating Base. The Mission Critical Briefing System capability secures unambiguous information exchange between Control and Reporting Centres (CRCs), Operations, Air Traffic Control and High Readiness Platforms for National and NATO QRA operations. This Request for Information (RFI) may be used to inform the procurement strategy, assess whether industry has the capacity to deliver the requirement to the timescales needed, provide VROM cost for the replacement capability. The authority's commercial strategy is to complete this requirement. Requirements The new capability shall be able to operate on Internet Protocol (IP)/4G/5G/wi-fi networks, via MoD RLI network. The capability will be easily deployable to a Forward Operating Base or alternate locations. A deployable capability shall be able to operate on Internet Protocol (IP)/4G/5G/wi-fi networks, via MoD RLI network. For the purpose of providing VROM costs the deployed capability profile can be assumed as interfacing with 2 x Aircraft and 6 x Operators / Users (Sqn Ops, Stn Ops, Air Crew (when not in cockpit), ATC Tower). Additionally, forward holding complement of spares including Intercom Units / Line Replaceable Units / Cable Assembly in support of 1st/2nd Line (Depth A/B) maintenance activities on deployment. For VROM Costs assume 1 x deployable Mission Critical Briefing System. The capability shall interface with the TYPHOON platform. The capability will shall integrate with GUARDIAN C4i advanced VOICE C2 voice over IP (VoIP) Communication System (VCS) at the CRCs at RAF Boulmer and 78 Sqn, Swanwick in the UK and at MPC, FI. The capability shall be supportable until 31 Mar 2040 (15 years). DSEAR 2002 - Any equipment and cable assemblies installed within hazardous areas shall meet the minimum Zone 2 site requirements for electrical equipment of: Gas Group IIA, Temperature Class T3. The use of ATEX certified enclosures as part of the overall design is acceptable if the above criteria is met. Train-the-Trainer Course - The supplier will be required to deliver a Train-the-Trainer package with D

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f29d52a4-4bcc-45ff-9377-48b60e8c7dbb
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

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

CPV Codes

35723000 - Air defence radar

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Oct 20232 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Nov 2023Expired
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
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
HENLOW
Postcode
SG16 6DN
Post Town
Stevenage
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH25 Central Bedfordshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Central Bedfordshire
Electoral Ward
Clifton, Henlow & Langford
Westminster Constituency
Hitchin

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0-2023-10-27T09:42:43+01:00",
    "date": "2023-10-27T09:42:43+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0",
    "language": "en",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "title": "Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - RFI",
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "title": "Engagement end date",
                "type": "engagement",
                "dueDate": "2023-11-10T23:59:59Z"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "description": "Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6dadb8d6-3157-4f63-980e-e7e238cedac7",
                "datePublished": "2023-10-27T09:36:28+01:00",
                "format": "text/html",
                "language": "en"
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "description": "Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder",
                "url": "https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f29d52a4-4bcc-45ff-9377-48b60e8c7dbb",
                "datePublished": "2023-10-27T09:36:28+01:00",
                "dateModified": "2023-10-27T09:42:43+01:00",
                "format": "text/html",
                "language": "en"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "tender_396073/1275507",
        "title": "Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - RFI",
        "description": "Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - Request For Information (RFI) Additional information: Request For Information of Ministry of Defence - Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System Introduction The authority has a potential future requirement for the procurement and support of a replacement Mission Critical Briefing System for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Mission Critical Briefing System initiates Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions both in the UK and Falklands Islands (FI). Robust information exchange architecture with the minimum people in the chain is essential. The messages will be not above OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE. A long term, replacement solution is required that provides a capability at the QRA Main Operating Bases and supporting units, as well as to the QRA aircraft cockpit. In addition, to enable Agile Combat Employment (ACE),any replacement should be capable of being deployed and used at any mil/civ Forward Operating Base. The Mission Critical Briefing System capability secures unambiguous information exchange between Control and Reporting Centres (CRCs), Operations, Air Traffic Control and High Readiness Platforms for National and NATO QRA operations. This Request for Information (RFI) may be used to inform the procurement strategy, assess whether industry has the capacity to deliver the requirement to the timescales needed, provide VROM cost for the replacement capability. The authority's commercial strategy is to complete this requirement. Requirements The new capability shall be able to operate on Internet Protocol (IP)/4G/5G/wi-fi networks, via MoD RLI network. The capability will be easily deployable to a Forward Operating Base or alternate locations. A deployable capability shall be able to operate on Internet Protocol (IP)/4G/5G/wi-fi networks, via MoD RLI network. For the purpose of providing VROM costs the deployed capability profile can be assumed as interfacing with 2 x Aircraft and 6 x Operators / Users (Sqn Ops, Stn Ops, Air Crew (when not in cockpit), ATC Tower). Additionally, forward holding complement of spares including Intercom Units / Line Replaceable Units / Cable Assembly in support of 1st/2nd Line (Depth A/B) maintenance activities on deployment. For VROM Costs assume 1 x deployable Mission Critical Briefing System. The capability shall interface with the TYPHOON platform. The capability will shall integrate with GUARDIAN C4i advanced VOICE C2 voice over IP (VoIP) Communication System (VCS) at the CRCs at RAF Boulmer and 78 Sqn, Swanwick in the UK and at MPC, FI. The capability shall be supportable until 31 Mar 2040 (15 years). DSEAR 2002 - Any equipment and cable assemblies installed within hazardous areas shall meet the minimum Zone 2 site requirements for electrical equipment of: Gas Group IIA, Temperature Class T3. The use of ATEX certified enclosures as part of the overall design is acceptable if the above criteria is met. Train-the-Trainer Course - The supplier will be required to deliver a Train-the-Trainer package with D",
        "status": "planning",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "35723000",
            "description": "Air defence radar"
        },
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "countryName": "British Oversea Territories"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Channel Islands"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Europe"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Rest of the World"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "British Oversea Territories"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Channel Islands"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Europe"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Isle of Man"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "Rest of the World"
                    },
                    {
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "suitability": {
            "sme": true,
            "vcse": true
        }
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-CFS-262738",
            "name": "Ministry of Defence",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Ministry of Defence"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Air Defence & Electronic Warfare Systems DT Room C23, Building 85 Royal Air Force Henlow Bedfordshire SG16 6DN",
                "locality": "Henlow",
                "postalCode": "SG16 6DN",
                "countryName": "England"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "Medwyn.williams494@mod.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-CFS-262738",
        "name": "Ministry of Defence"
    }
}