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Project OBERON

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

24 Nov 2022 at 10:51

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is inviting tenders for the "Project OBERON", a procurement within the "Satellites" industry category. The tender involves the acquisition of observation satellites to support UK space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance activities. The procurement stage is currently active, with a contract value of £70 million and a minimum value of £60 million. The tender period ends on 23rd December 2022, and the contract duration is 36 months, including the launch and first year of mission operations. The procurement method is selective, with a negotiated approach.

This tender for the OBERON project presents an opportunity for businesses in the space technology and satellite manufacturing sectors to participate. Suitable businesses would need to demonstrate the ability to handle classified information up to the level of SECRET. The Ministry of Defence, based in Bristol, United Kingdom, is the contracting authority for this project. Interested parties can register on the eSourcing portal to express their interest in the tender, with the opportunity to subcontract parts of the contract. The tender allows for up to 6 one-year options for additional mission operations, training, and support, creating potential long-term business prospects for successful bidders.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Project OBERON

Notice Description

The OBERON mission is a Research and Development (R&D) space mission concept developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and owned by MOD/UK Space Command. The aim is to better understand how high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors can be used to support UK space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities. The OBERON system will provide a day and night, all weather capable, space-based ISR capability in the form of active high-resolution SAR and, at a lower priority, passive Radio Frequency (RF) functionality. It is planned to consist of up to three satellites flying as a coherent cluster - providing freedom of action to conduct ISR activities and demonstrate an operational capability to defence forces. Each satellite will carry a primary SAR and, desirably, a secondary passive RF payload. OBERON will support the future ISR constellation under programme ISTARI. Aims: The OBERON System shall allow the exploration of space based ISR capability advantages offered by a coherent cluster of SAR satellites (with additional passive RF collection). A high priority for the OBERON system is the ability to collect SAR data on an area of interest, specified by the User Group, and the subsequent production of a data product (with enhanced size, resolution, composition, and assurance). A second high priority for the system is its ability to perform R&D which will inform subsequent options analysis and future development. OBERON System: * Core Contract, constitutes an OBERON solution, envisioned as a coherent cluster of satellites equipped with an active SAR payload and, at a lower priority, passive RF functionality, that the Supplier shall operate. To deliver the system, a full end-to-end solution, with adequate pan-Defence Lines of Development (DLOD) coverage, is required including inter alia; design, development, manufacture, assembly, integration, test, launch, commissioning, operations, and eventual disposal. * Options, constitutes the same OBERON solution from the Core Contract but with the system integrated with the elements of the ISTARI MOD ground architecture that are sufficiently mature to be utilised together. During this phase, operation of the OBERON solution will be by the Supplier until the ISTARI MOD ground architecture is capable of operating the solution. Integration between the OBERON solution and elements of ISTARI will occur within these phases with gradual, progressive functional transitions. * Options, consists of an OBERON solution that is fully integrated with the MOD's ISTARI ground architecture and is operated by the MOD. The core contract length will be 36 months including launch, and first year of mission operations and support. Further Contract Options will include mission operations, training, and support (per year) for a further 6 years and mission integration and implementation to the ground architecture, further details will be in the ITN. The OBERON procurement will be run at OFFICIAL SENSITIVE up to and including SECRET. The potential provider must have the ability to process, store and transmit classified information at OFFICIAL SENSITIVE up to and including SECRET. For further information on the ISTARI Programme, see "Defence Space Strategy: Operationalising the Space Domain", UK Gov, Feb 22 , and "Press Release: UK cutting-edge space defence backed by PS1.4 billion", UK Gov, 1 Feb 22. The Cyber Risk Level for this procurement is Low risk. The Risk Assessment Reference (RAR) is RAR-651356809 A full description of the Cyber Risk levels is available at DEFSTAN 05-138. Potential Providers should make themselves familiar with the requirements against the profile assessment for this risk Level

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0387f5
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/033336-2022
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

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

CPV Codes

34712200 - Satellites

35631200 - Observation satellites

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£70,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Nov 20223 years ago
Submission Deadline
23 Dec 2022Expired
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
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
Postcode Area
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
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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