Planning

Request for Information - Policing, Defence & Security Body Armour Innovation and On-Going Development

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

14 Sep 2021 at 16:22

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is currently in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Request for Information - Policing, Defence & Security Body Armour Innovation and On-Going Development." This initiative falls under the category of security, fire-fighting, police, and defence equipment, with the main focus on innovative design to enhance body armour for policing and defence personnel. Interested parties must submit their responses by the 29th of October 2021, marking an important deadline for stakeholders in this sector. The geographical scope for delivery is within the South West region of the United Kingdom.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in advanced materials, wearable technology, and equipment design within the defence sector. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSE) may find this a strategic opportunity to showcase innovative solutions that improve comfort, safety, and usability of body armour. Companies that can demonstrate existing technology readiness and address the specific challenges outlined by the Ministry are particularly well-suited to engage in this procurement process.

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Notice Title

Request for Information - Policing, Defence & Security Body Armour Innovation and On-Going Development

Notice Description

Dstl (the Authority) is considering options with respect to innovative design and development of body armour within a Policing and wider Defence and Security (D&S) arenas. The Authority is considering options with regards to improving the fit, comfort and wearability of body armour for Policing, but also for D&S Personnel. These factors are key to wellbeing and performance of the end-user, as well as affording them increased protection. This RFI will inform future work and develop options for potential future funding levels, which may help support on-going S&T and industry development to address known body armour issues, including but not limited to: - Improving comfort in a diverse workforce (e.g. female specific/inclusive armour, shaped armour, anthropometry research); - Increasing the coverage afforded (and thereby protection) by the body armour; - Improving the fit for end-user (e.g. through adjustable systems or innovative sizing regimes for 1st to 99th percentile user); - Reducing end-user burden (e.g. by minimising system mass, optimising load carriage options for body-worn equipment, or scalable systems); - Maximizing mobility to ensure task performance is not hindered (e.g. through flexible armour systems or low-profile designs); - Reducing musculoskeletal or environmental injury risk (e.g. through smart fabrics and materials, in-built wearable technology or cooling systems) - Improving public perception of Policing and D&S Personnel when wearing body armour (e.g. through recognisable brands, covert armour, or modern designs that look less intimidating). The Authority wish to understand what body armour technologies and innovations are currently at a low to medium Technology Readiness Level (TRL) which may help to address the above issues within 2-8 years if projects were to receive MOD support. Advice on TRLs are can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/guidance-on-technology-readiness-levels The Authority is issuing this RFI to gauge interest and to understand the technology horizon in relation to undertaking S&T in this area with external providers within the UK and/or overseas. 4. Information Requested To assist the Authority, you should provide: 1) Details of the body armour technology / innovation, including current Technology Readiness Level (TRL); 2) Details on which of the body armour issues identified above, the technology/innovation aid in addressing; 3) Anticipated benefit to the end user and proposed metrics to evidence this; 4) Indication of the volume/value of development which would be required per annum, and length of time to be commercially viable; 5) Breakdown of proposed phases of development remaining to be commercially viable. Please submit responses to this RFI to caflynn@dstl.gov.uk by no later than Friday 29th October 2021. Additional information: You are advised that any resulting procurement(s) will be conducted competitively. Information you provide to us in response to this RFI, that is not already available to us from other sources, will be handled in-confidence. By submitting a response to this RFI you are giving us permission to keep and use the information for our internal purposes, and to provide the information onwards, in-confidence, within UK Government. We will not use or disclose the information for any other purpose, without first requesting permission to do so. This RFI is not a commitment to subsequently launch a formal procurement procedure.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-7aa5c8d2-72d8-44a1-a533-468f5c432d60
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/cbce4045-cd0c-43a6-a612-d4cc6ab0438a
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

35000000 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
14 Sep 20214 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
29 Oct 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

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
SALISBURY
Postcode
SP4 0JQ
Post Town
Salisbury
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK72 Wiltshire
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Wiltshire
Electoral Ward
Winterslow & Upper Bourne Valley
Westminster Constituency
Salisbury

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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