Tender

Flexible Tactical Uncrewed Air System (FTUAS) - Navy UCR

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

25 May 2021 at 21:45

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is currently initiating a procurement process titled "Flexible Tactical Uncrewed Air System (FTUAS) - Navy UCR", classified under the industry category of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. This selective tender process is located in Bristol, UK, with a deadline for expressions of interest set for 1st July 2021 at 23:59 BST. The procurement is at the active Tender stage, with a total estimated value of £52,000,000 and a contract period of 720 days, which may include options for extension, subject to Ministry of Defence approval. The authority aims to advance capabilities for the Royal Navy through the provision of various uncrewed air systems to support operational readiness against potential threats at sea.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in defence technology, unmanned systems, and associated support services. Companies equipped with the necessary security clearances and capabilities to deliver a mature system with minimal adaptation will be well-positioned to compete. Additionally, firms that can ensure compliance with security regulations and have experience in military procurement processes are likely to find this opportunity particularly advantageous. The ability to deploy trained personnel, manage export controls, and support operations on naval vessels will also be crucial for successful participation.

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Notice Title

Flexible Tactical Uncrewed Air System (FTUAS) - Navy UCR

Notice Description

The requirement is for the provision of a number of Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) and ancillaries under a Military Owned Military Operated (MOMO) arrangement to be delivered to the Royal Navy (RN) and Integrated onto a Naval Warship, to provide the RN with a Flexible Tactical Uncrewed Air System (FTUAS) Urgent Capability Requirement (UCR) for RN forward presence shipping to counter Crewed and Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) in an operational theatre. The requirement will also require the Contractor to provide a FTUAS system at a UK Royal Navy Air Station, technical information, through life support, as well as the provision of training for operators and maintainers. The requirement is for a capability to FIND, FIX, TRACK and ASSESS Fast Inshore Attack Craft, Crewed and Uncrewed, operating alone, in large numbers. It is anticipated that the solution will permanently embark on a Naval Warship to provide a persistent, intimate, integrated and assured capability. The ability to operate at sufficient range from its parent ship to facilitate timely decision making is anticipated as is the need for a Maritime Surface Surveillance Radar to satisfactorily deliver "FIND". It is anticipated that the equipment will be in service for a period of 24 months from the date of the delivery of the initial operating capability (IOC), with options including a Contract extension up to an additional 24 months, subject to Ministry of Defence approval. It is anticipated that a maximum of 4 (four) suppliers (who achieved the best overall score) will be invited to submit formal tenders, based on the evaluation criteria contained within the PQQ documents. However, the Authority will have the discretion to vary the total number of potential providers that will or will not be taken through to the ITN phase. The maximum number of tenderers who will be invited to participate in the negotiation phase of the procurement process will be 3 (three) depending on the results of the initial tender evaluation. However, the Authority will have the discretion to vary the total number of tenderers who we will initiate negotiations with. Award criteria: The Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) in accordance with the criteria to be stated in the Invitation to Negotiate documentation. All queries regarding this advert must be submitted to the RPAS Commercial Officer named above. Failure to observe this condition could lead to the company concerned being excluded from future participation in the procurement exercise. The Authority reserves the right to amend any condition related to security of information to reflect any changes in national Law or government policy. If any contract documents are accompanied by instructions on safeguarding classified information (e.g. a Security Aspects Letter (SAL), the Authority reserves the right to amend the terms of these instructions to reflect changes in national Law or government policy whether in respect of the applicable protective marking scheme, specific protective markings given, the aspects to which any protective marking applies, or otherwise. The Cyber Risk Profile for this requirement identified by the Cyber Risk Assessment is MODERATE and has a reference: RAR-FW22TKJF. You should be aware that the PQQ shall be evaluated using the AWARD Evaluation Tool Potential suppliers should register for access to the data room via this link: https://award.bravosolution.co.uk/ftuas2/web/project/a6739ee7-4d34-44dd-b206-9ed7437b7a93/register Each individual from an interested supplier is required to complete and upload their signed "FTUAS Data Room" Document and the Official Secrets Act to the AWARD site as per the website address above, prior to being granted access to the DPQQ documents. The date and time for receipt of expressions of interest in participating in the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire is: Date: 01st July 2021 Time: 23:59 (BST

Lot Information

Lot 1

There are a number of Key Principles, which the Authority believe the Contractor and its supply chain will need to be able to fulfil, in order for the FTUAS solution to be able to operate effectively. These Key Principles include: 1. The ability to supply a Rotary Wing Air Vehicle able to operate embarked within the constraints posed by a Naval Warship, with integrated Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (including a Maritime Surface Surveillance Radar), and the Air System being able to supply / disseminate / process information in the format designated for the Combat Management System, all to be delivered within the programme timescales. 2. The successful solution will most likely be a mature system, possibly with some civil approvals and need little adaptation or modification (e.g. COTS / MOTS) to meet the requirement and be deployable in the operational theatre at sea. 3. Hold ISO9001 or AS9100 accreditation or equivalent 4. The ability to immediately engage with the Authority at the correct classification of Security, manage this information securely, manage export controls appropriately, and supply personnel security cleared to the appropriate level. There will be a requirement for the Contractor to occasionally deploy Field Service Representatives (FSRs) / trainers to embark on the vessel to provide short term support. Depending on the nature of operations, deployment of the FSR may need to be governed by policy and processes in line with Contractors on Deployed Operations (CONDO). There may be a requirement for the chosen supplier to transfer the equipment to a different class of Naval Warship in an emergency situation / unforeseen circumstance. The Authority anticipate that the IOC date will be during 2023. There may be a requirement for the preferred bidder to provide information, prior to Contract Award, to support the Authority with maintaining the schedule which would be subject to separate contractual arrangements to be defined. The Authority may request a practical demonstration of proposed solutions as part of the tender evaluation process at a location to be determined by the Authority. Electronic trading: Potential suppliers should note the mandatory requirement for electronic trading using the Contracting, Purchasing and Finance (CP&F) electronic procurement tool. All payments for Contractor Deliverables under the Contract shall only be made via CP&F. You can find details on CP&F at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mod-contracting-purchasing-and-finance-e-procurement-system/contracting-purchasing-and-finance-cpf-tool. Information on Subcontracting: At ITN stage, tenderers will need to indicate in their tender any share of the contract it may intend to subcontract to third parties and any proposed subcontractor, as well as the subject-matter of the subcontractors for which they are proposed (if applicable). The Authority reserve the right to modify the Key Characteristics and procurement dates prior to the release of the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN).

Options: Options including a Contract extension up to an additional 24 months, subject to Ministry of Defence approval.

Renewal: Options including a Contract extension up to an additional 24 months, subject to Ministry of Defence approval.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-02b508
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/011670-2021
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive procedure with negotiation
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£52,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 May 20214 years ago
Submission Deadline
1 Jul 2021Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Steve Eustace
Contact Email
steven.eustace100@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
TLJ31 Portsmouth

Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

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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