This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

11 May 2023 at 14:52

Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence, has completed an award stage for a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract with Xi Systems Limited for TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3. This contract, valued at up to £1,000,000.00 (EX VAT), involves enhancing operational equipment used in challenging scenarios. The contract aims to improve the power control mechanism through research and development services. Key dates: Contract awarded on 11th May 2023.

This tender, awarded through a negotiated procedure without prior publication, presents an opportunity for businesses in the military research and technology sector. Companies with expertise in developing innovative solutions for operational equipment in demanding environments are well-suited to compete. The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) serves as the contracting authority for this project, ensuring continued support and enhancement of the Phase 1 system through technical assistance, bug fixes, and software updates.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3

Notice Description

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract valued at up to PS1,000,000.00 (EX VAT) with Xi Systems Limited ("the Contractor") to carry out additional research and development services and supplies on TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3, whereby the research requirement seeks to replace traditional magnetically operated changeover reed switches, often used as the main power control mechanism for a range of plastic enclosed operational equipment used in support to operations in challenging operational scenarios. Phase 1 successfully delivered a miniaturised solution in FY22/23. The Phase 2 & 3 research objective is focused on further enhancement to the capability by conducting research to increasing the operational range and upgrading the power handling capability of the switch. Subject to successful further development the Authority may procure a limited quantity of prototype systems. It is considered that this Contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication of a contract notice pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(c) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for the provision of Research and Development services, to which these Regulations apply. Any prototype systems to be purchased under this contract are not pre-production prototypes, and are to be manufactured solely for the purposes of research and development and are not being purchased for quantity production to establish commercial viability or to recover research and development costs. This proposed new contract will enable the Authority to ensure continued access to research and development services which enable exploitation of the Phase 1 system, including support of the Phase 1 system so that it can be exploited through rapid response tasks (RRTs) delivered through Dstl. Research and Development services are forecast to include technical services to research and resolve bug fixes, app maintenance and software and firmware updates. Research and Development services shall further look into the operational capability and feasibility in the context of next generation capability to ensure continued improvement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract valued at up to PS1,000,000.00 (EX VAT) with Xi Systems Limited ("the Contractor") to carry out additional research and development services and supplies on TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3, whereby the research requirement seeks to replace traditional magnetically operated changeover reed switches, often used as the main power control mechanism for a range of plastic enclosed operational equipment used in support to operations in challenging operational scenarios. Phase 1 successfully delivered a miniaturised solution in FY22/23. The Phase 2 & 3 research objective is focused on further enhancement to the capability by conducting research to increasing the operational range and upgrading the power handling capability of the switch. Subject to successful further development the Authority may procure a limited quantity of prototype systems. It is considered that this Contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication of a contract notice pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(c) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for the provision of Research and Development services, to which these Regulations apply. Any prototype systems to be purchased under this contract are not pre-production prototypes, and are to be manufactured solely for the purposes of research and development and are not being purchased for quantity production to establish commercial viability or to recover research and development costs. This proposed new contract will enable the Authority to ensure continued access to research and development services which enable exploitation of the Phase 1 system, including support of the Phase 1 system so that it can be exploited through rapid response tasks (RRTs) delivered through Dstl. Research and Development services are forecast to include technical services to research and resolve bug fixes, app maintenance and software and firmware updates. Research and Development services shall further look into the operational capability and feasibility in the context of next generation capability to ensure continued improvement.

Procurement Information

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract with Xi Systems Limited ("the Contractor"). It is considered that this Contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication of a contract notice pursuant to Article 28(1)(e) of Directive 2009/81/EC (Regulation 16(1)(c)) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011) for the provision of Research and Development services not excluded under the Regulation 7(1)(l) R&D Exclusion. Xi Systems Limited successfully participated and won in a previous competitive tender process for the development of a Phase 1 prototype device. Through the contract previously placed for Phase 1, Xi Systems Limited own the IPR for TWiSTED and this contract now seeks to further develop the technology.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-03c80b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013478-2023
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Negotiated without publication of a contract notice
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services


CPV Codes

73410000 - Military research and technology

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 May 20233 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
11 May 20233 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SALISBURY
Postcode
SP4 0JQ
Postcode Area
Salisbury
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK72 Wiltshire
Delivery Location
TLK South West (England)

Local Authority
Wiltshire
Electoral Ward
Winterslow & Upper Bourne Valley
Westminster Constituency
Salisbury

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

XI Systems Limited

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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