Tender

UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) reopening #1

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderAmendment

12 May 2023 at 12:26

Tender Notice
Tender

12 May 2023 at 12:12

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has issued a procurement opportunity titled "UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC)" aiming to accelerate the development of autonomous Heavy Lift UAS for maritime use. This selective procurement involves a contract value of £95,000,000 and has a tender period ending on June 23, 2023. The contract period spans from July 1, 2023, to August 31, 2026. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are eligible to participate. The procurement method details pertain to a Restricted procedure (above threshold).

This tender by the Ministry of Defence offers industry partners the chance to contribute to the development of cutting-edge UAS technology for maritime operations. Businesses involved in unmanned combat aerial vehicles and military research and technology would be well-suited to compete in this opportunity. The Ministry is seeking to partner with suppliers who can enhance the Heavy Lift UAS market by providing innovative technologies and capabilities. The competitive framework allows suppliers to showcase their current capabilities and collaborate to accelerate product development and reduce time to market.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) reopening #1

Notice Description

This Opportunity Listing is a chance to join the extant UASHLC Framework: The Uncrewed Air Systems Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework (the Framework) has been created by the Authority to accelerate the development of a range of autonomous Heavy Lift UAS 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 operational uses for such Uncrewed systems. The Authority will facilitate accelerated development of one or more Supplier UAS to meet or exceed the requirements of Authority defined Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), along with complementary and underpinning technologies that will enhance UAS operational capabilities. 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 UASHLC Framework is therefore to support and inform the development of Maritime operating concepts and enable assessment, analysis, exploration and evaluation of the use of UAS for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) payload delivery and broader UAS capabilities. The Framework is designed specifically to: i) provide Sponsor / User confidence in the potential for UAS systems to provide recoverable, adaptable, Autonomous/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 requirements (the MVPs) within the timescales stated, iii) provide the Authority with a mechanism for end users to potentially acquire systems for further evaluation or other use. The framework is open to all Industry Partners who can articulate how their technology/capability can enhance the Heavy Lift UAS market, thereby not constraining the framework to only Platform providers, as underpinning and novel UAS related technologies and capabilities are also in scope. These underpinning and novel technologies and capabilities can encompass (but aren't restricted to) payloads, fuels, software, and Counter UAS technologies (ground or platform based). The first tasking within the framework will be based around two confirmed sprints as articulated below, with scope for an additional three sprints as the programme develops (Authority requirement and funding dependent).

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-de0c38b8-110c-4669-8555-4aeca0c6c790
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e4d34e33-b691-422a-910a-82483846812a
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

35613100 - Unmanned combat aerial vehicles

73410000 - Military research and technology

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£95,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 May 20232 years ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jun 2023Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2023 - 31 Aug 2026 3-4 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
TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

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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