Tender

UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework Reopening #1

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 May 2023 at 13:03

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is seeking suppliers to join the UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework Reopening #1. This opportunity aims to accelerate the development of autonomous Heavy Lift UAS for maritime use. The contract value is £95,000,000 GBP with a duration of 1200 days. The tender period ends on 23rd June 2023, and the procurement method is selective with a restricted approach.

This tender by the Ministry of Defence presents a lucrative opportunity for businesses involved in military research and technology, particularly those specializing in unmanned combat aerial vehicles and other related services. Suppliers who can enhance the Heavy Lift UAS market with cutting-edge technologies are encouraged to apply. The framework allows for collaborative development to meet the defined Minimum Viable Products and supports the acquisition of systems for evaluation or other maritime uses.

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Notice Title

UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework Reopening #1

Notice Description

This Opportunity Listing is a chance to join the extant UASHLC Framework: 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).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-03c859
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013609-2023
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted
Tender Suitability
Not specified
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
12 May 20232 years ago
Submission Deadline
23 Jun 2023Expired
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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Toby Love, attn: Love Toby
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
Not specified

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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