Tender

UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework Reopening #2

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

08 Jul 2024 at 15:59

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence has initiated a tender process for the UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework Reopening #2. This procurement falls under the Military research and technology category and aims to accelerate the development of autonomous Heavy Lift UAS primarily for maritime use. The total contract value is £95,000,000, with a contract duration of 1200 days. The deadline for tender submissions is August 12, 2024. The procurement method is selective, with a framework agreement in place.

This tender opportunity provides a chance for industry partners to contribute to the development of Heavy Lift UAS technology. Businesses well-suited to compete are those with innovative technologies related to payloads, fuels, software, and Counter UAS technologies. The Ministry of Defence, as the buying organization, seeks suppliers capable of meeting or exceeding defined Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to enhance operational capabilities for the Royal Navy and other domains. Interested businesses must register on the eSourcing portal to express their interest and adhere to the submission criteria outlined by the Authority.

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Notice Title

UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework Reopening #2

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).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-047bba
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020829-2024
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
8 Jul 20241 years ago
Submission Deadline
12 Aug 2024Expired
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
Attn: Simpson Connor
Contact Email
connor.simpson165@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

Further Information

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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