This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

08 Aug 2024 at 11:52

Tender

05 Jul 2024 at 12:29

Planning

27 Jun 2024 at 13:29

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is conducting a procurement for the ongoing supply, support, and development of the Virtus integrated Soft Body Armour and Load Carriage system, specifically the Torso Sub System. This procurement falls under the industry category of protective gear and is located in the United Kingdom. The process is currently at the tender stage, with significant upcoming deadlines such as the final date for clarification questions being 19th August 2024 and the return of Dynamic Pre-Qualification Questionnaires (DPQQs) by 30th August 2024. An Invitation to Tender (ITN) will be issued in November 2024, with tenders due back by May 2025. The anticipated contract award date is August 2025. This contract will run for five years with options to extend up to a total of nine years and will be managed in accordance with the Competitive Negotiated Procedure under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses specializing in military and protective gear manufacturing. Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in scalable tactical vests, soft armour components, and associated load carriage equipment like bergens and pouches are well-suited to compete. Additionally, firms with capabilities in post-design services for ongoing system development and those offering training, refurbishment, and disposal services for military equipment stand to gain from this contract. The opportunity includes a steady revenue stream from a long-term agreement and the potential for involvement in technological advancements and support for the UK armed forces, covering the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

The Procurement and In-Service Support for the Virtus Re-Compete Torso Sub System

Notice Description

1. Introduction and Scope The Authority has a requirement for the ongoing supply, support and development of the VIRTUS integrated Soft body armour and load carriage system. The VIRTUS system focuses on 3 of the NATO soldier domains: survivability, mobility and sustainability. VIRTUS is the UK Armed Forces integrated Soft Body Armour, Helmet and Load Carriage system based on the soldier. VIRTUS comprises of a head and torso sub-system with integrated load carriage and a Quick Release (QR) mechanism, to allow escape from water, confined space or to allow rapid access to the body in an emergency. This notice is NOT for the procurement of the Head Sub System. The DE&S DCC Survivability Team intends to competitively assess, select and award a contract to deliver and support the Virtus Torso Sub System capability to all tri-service users including Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The Torso Sub System requirement is for all body armour and load carriage equipment within the current VIRTUS system including but not limited to scalable tactical vests, soft armour filler, extremity protection, bergens and pouches. The Contract shall also include the ability for the Authority to utilise Post Design Services (PDS) for the ongoing development of the system to ensure that it continues to provide optimal performance as technology develops and matures. There may also be a requirement within the Contract for the provision of training in the use of the VIRTUS system and for the refurbishment and disposal of VIRTUS items. The System needs to comply with MOD standards and policies for quality, safety and cyber amongst others. Full details shall be provided at the Invitation To Negotiate (ITN) stage of the competition. The Competitive procedure will be managed in accordance with the Competitive Negotiated Procedure under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011. You may express your interest in this requirement by completing the Dynamic Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (DPQQ) found at https://contracts.mod.uk/go/9113732701908259B595 The full requirement will be issued in the ITN and suppliers will be given appropriate time to respond with their tenders. 2. Contract Options The contract will be for Five years The contract will have an additional 4 x 1 Year options taking the maximum length of the contract up to 9 years. The Authority reserve the right, at its absolute discretion, to not take up any or all the option years. Further information on the option will be provided in the Invitation to Tender. 3. Post Design Services (PDS) during Competition During the Torso Sub System competition, there will be pieces of Post Design Services on the TSS that will continue on the current In-Service contract. There will be a full list of any ongoing PDS along with expected completion dates and any further aspirational PDS tasks provided at ITN release. 4. Estimated Timescales The table below details the anticipated time frames of this procurement. These dates are provided for information only. Activity Date Final date for DPQQ Clarification Questions: 5th August 2024 DPQQs returned to MOD: 16th August 2024 Invitation to Tender Issued: November 2024 Tenders Returned to MOD: May 2025 Authority Evaluation of ITN Completed: June 2025 Anticipated Date of Contract Award: August 2025

Lot Information

Lot 1

Virtus Torso Sub System - This will be a Build To Print solution with Technical Data Packs provided by the Authroity.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-047305
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025006-2024
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning 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

18 - Clothing, footwear, luggage articles and accessories

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


CPV Codes

18143000 - Protective gear

18931100 - Rucksacks

18934000 - Kitbags

18936000 - Textile bags

35113400 - Protective and safety clothing

35811300 - Military uniforms

35812200 - Combat suits

35812300 - Combat gear

35813100 - Helmet covers

35815100 - Bullet-proof vests

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£135,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Aug 20242 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Jul 2024Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

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
Not specified
Postcode Area
Not specified
Country
Not specified

Major Region (ITL 1)
Not specified
Basic Region (ITL 2)
Not specified
Small Region (ITL 3)
Not specified
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Not specified
Electoral Ward
Not specified
Westminster Constituency
Not specified

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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