Award

Technical Operation of the National Space Propulsion Test Facility

UK SPACE AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

27 Apr 2022 at 10:20

Summary of the contracting process

The UK Space Agency is seeking to award a contract for the Technical Operation of the National Space Propulsion Test Facility (NSPTF), located at Westcott Venture Park in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. This facility is essential for testing propulsion systems and has been operational since 1946. The contract falls under the industry category of Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance Services, with a contract value of £1,309,125. The procurement method used was a limited award procedure, justified by the unique capabilities of the facility and its sole supplier, Nammo (U.K.) Limited. The procurement process is currently at the Award stage, having been finalised on 6 April 2022.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses involved in the space industry, particularly those who can offer technical support, engine testing services, or facility management solutions. Potential competitors may include firms specialising in propulsion system technology, engineering services, or maintenance of testing facilities. Collaborating with or becoming a partner to Nammo (U.K.) Limited or leveraging access to the NSPTF can enhance business prospects and innovation within the space sector.

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Notice Title

Technical Operation of the National Space Propulsion Test Facility

Notice Description

The UK Space Agency has a requirement to test customer engines using the NSPTF in a timely manner. Therefore, ensuring the test facilities are ready and available to perform testing of engines and propulsion systems for customers to the NSPTF, and to support ensuring the continuing testing of hardware in the event of a facility breakdown. The facility incorporates a range of testing hardware. The service provider will provide the test cells for the facility, from small thrust engine testing (1N+) up to medium thrust testing (up to 1500N). The latter test chamber will have new equipment (vacuum generating plant, common vacuum manifold, plume intercooler, vacuum chamber etc), owned by the UK Space Agency, that will be operated and maintained by service provider. Provide technical support for facility operations and enter into a technical support contract for running the facility with UKSA. This will include responsibility for all safety aspects in national facility operations and to support ensuring the continuing testing of hardware in the event of a facility breakdown. Provide cost estimates for customers through liaison with the brokers (STFC).

Lot Information

Lot 1

The UK Space Agency has a requirement to test customer engines using the NSPTF in a timely manner. Therefore, ensuring the test facilities are ready and available to perform testing of engines and propulsion systems for customers to the NSPTF, and to support ensuring the continuing testing of hardware in the event of a facility breakdown. The facility incorporates a range of testing hardware. The service provider will provide the test cells for the facility, from small thrust engine testing (1N+) up to medium thrust testing (up to 1500N). The latter test chamber will have new equipment (vacuum generating plant, common vacuum manifold, plume intercooler, vacuum chamber etc), owned by the UK Space Agency, that will be operated and maintained by service provider. Provide technical support for facility operations and enter into a technical support contract for running the facility with UKSA. This will include responsibility for all safety aspects in national facility operations and to support ensuring the continuing testing of hardware in the event of a facility breakdown. Provide cost estimates for customers through liaison with the brokers (STFC). The requirement is to: * Manage the operation of the NSPTF, supplying the personnel to operate the plant and to ensure that the maintenance, calibration and spares plans are in place. * Procure any consumables to support the operation of the NSPTF. * Management and storage of critical spares to support the aim. * To permit use of service provider test facilities (J3 test cell, mini-HATFA, HATFA) as part of the national facility and management of customers and third party users while on the site. * Provide the resources to run the testing of customer engines. * Demonstrate that compliance and strict governance is applied to Statutory and Regulatory requirements (including Health and Safety) * Maintain a sensible Health and Safety schedule, audited in an appropriate manner. * Handle customer's data securely * Provision of relevant insurance cover for activities. * Notification of issues to UKSA in line with notification protocol. * Liaison with the landlord for all landlord provided services (eg water, electrical supply etc) * Provide quarterly reports of use of the facility to the steering board and provide inputs into annual budgets definition for future running of the facility.

Options: The contract duration will be for a year on a 1+1+1+1+1 basis (maximum 5 years)

Procurement Information

The Westcott facility and Nammo are the only location and supplier that can provide this service and therefore the authority are justified in awarding in accordance with regulation 32(5)(b).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0330d1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010803-2022
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services


CPV Codes

50800000 - Miscellaneous repair and maintenance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,309,125 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Apr 20223 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Apr 20223 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK SPACE AGENCY
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
research.tenders@uksbs.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1SF
Post Town
Swindon
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)

Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Gorse Hill and Pinehurst
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NAMMO (U.K.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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