Planning

Remote Piloted and Autonomous Systems - Expression of Interest

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

24 Aug 2021 at 12:29

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is seeking expressions of interest for an experiment involving Remote Piloted and Autonomous Systems (RPAS) aimed at enhancing the defence of artillery positions. Currently in the planning stage, this tender is classified under the CPV code 38820000 for remote-control equipment. Interested parties should respond by 31 August 2021, with experimentation planned to occur on Salisbury Plains from 10 to 18 September 2021. The location of this project is within the South East region of the United Kingdom, specifically at postal code SP11 8HJ.

This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in remote-controlled systems, including unmanned ground sensors and aerial systems, especially those with innovative sensory suites and AI capabilities. SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises are particularly encouraged to compete, as the experiment seeks solutions that can operate effectively in varied conditions and support military operations. Successfully demonstrating the utility of their systems may pave the way for further collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and insights for businesses looking to advance their research and development in military applications.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Remote Piloted and Autonomous Systems - Expression of Interest

Notice Description

The aim of this experiment is to understand future requirements for the defence of artillery positions. (N.B. this activity is not linked to a specific Named Programme or Project.) Current practice requires soldiers to surveil ground in the vicinity of artillery positions to protect from adversarial intrusion and attack, increasing workload and cognitive burden. It is hypothesized that RPAS with sensory suites and AI could reduce this burden and increase combat effectiveness. Systems TRL 1-5 will be considered as concepts only; TRL 6 or above may be considered for experimentation. Successful applicants should be prepared to conduct experimentation with 1 Artillery Brigade on Salisbury Plains in the window 10-18 September 2021 (duration likely to be 3 days). Likely tasks includes OEM operating experimental system in a representative warfighting environment against an active enemy force, briefing soldiers on use and possibly enabling limited supervised use, assisting 1 Artillery Brigade with developing Concepts of Use (CONUSE) and Concepts of Employment (CONEMP) for RPAS to inform future capability requirements. RPAS systems for consideration could be ground-based (including unmanned ground sensors) or aerial but must be small and agile enough to be deployed from eg 1/4 tonne trailer. The system must be remote or autonomously controlled; must have a sensory suite, ideally modular and interchangeable by the operator; must be able to collect data from at least one spectrum, ideally from the visible or near-visible spectrum, and ideally use AI to process the collected data; must operate as part of a digital network, ideally able to distribute collected data to multiple users others than the operator eg via ATAK; must be capable of operating in adverse weather conditions, ideally in all weather conditions; must be able to operate day and night; must have duration greater than 1 hour on task. This activity would suit applicants seeking to demonstrate their system has utility as military equipment, or to gain insights from soldiers as a user group for internal research and development purposes. 1 Artillery Brigade reserves the right to select which offers (if any) to take forward. 1 Artillery Brigade does not endorse any manufacture, vendor or their goods or services through this activity, nor is this a route to market. However, on completion, an unclassified report of findings will be shared with the successful applicants, and media may be gathered by the successful applicants for their use (subject to conditions). Replies peter.guo544@mod.gov.uk before 31 Aug 21 will be accepted for consideration.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-6e857320-860c-4b1d-a446-a09abd0f463d
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f51998eb-7479-45cd-ad94-4f6e93abece1
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

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

CPV Codes

38820000 - Remote-control equipment

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Aug 20214 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Aug 2021Expired
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
ANDOVER
Postcode
SP11 8HJ
Post Town
Salisbury
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ36 Central Hampshire
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Test Valley
Electoral Ward
Andover Millway
Westminster Constituency
North West Hampshire

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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