Tender

UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC)

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderAmendment

08 Aug 2022 at 08:46

Tender Notice
Tender

05 Aug 2022 at 10:28

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework, initiated by the Ministry of Defence, aims to enhance the development of autonomous Heavy Lift Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) primarily for maritime applications. The tender is currently in the planning stage, with submissions closing on 5th September 2022. The total estimated value of the contract is £95 million, with a minimum potential value set at £1.225 million. The contract period is expected to run from 16th September 2022 until 31st August 2027, with delivery addresses located in the South West of England.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in aerospace and defence technologies, particularly those offering innovative UAS solutions, novel payloads, or advanced software. Companies that can demonstrate relevant capabilities or contribute to improving the Heavy Lift UAS market, whether they focus on platform development or supporting technologies such as fuels and counter-UAS systems, would be well-positioned to compete. Engaging with this framework can facilitate collaboration and accelerate product development, ultimately helping businesses to expand their market presence in the defence sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC)

Notice Description

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-fa781acc-64eb-4b72-b8dc-32c3d9b701ad
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5a226bc8-ad03-493d-b609-0effd518460f
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
8 Aug 20223 years ago
Submission Deadline
5 Sep 2022Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
15 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2027 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
Toby Love
Contact Email
toby.love103@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

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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