Planning

VANAHEIM RFI

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

21 Mar 2025 at 12:22

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is spearheading a procurement process titled "VANAHEIM RFI," which falls under the goods category with a focus on unmanned aerial vehicles. This procurement is currently in the planning stage, with key engagement underway to gather detailed capabilities by 2 April 2025. The ministry, based in Andover, UK, is inviting businesses to participate in a field test event in Germany scheduled for June 2025, with additional events planned for July and August. Companies have the chance to present their solutions directly to Army personnel during the Joint Counter-UAS Office's engagement day at RAF High Wycombe on 31 March 2025.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses, especially those specialising in counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS) technologies. SMEs and VCSEs with innovative approaches are encouraged to partake, as the project provides a hands-on testing environment and direct feedback from military experts. By participating in VANAHEIM, businesses can influence future British Army C-UAS capabilities, establish strategic relationships, and accelerate their technological advancements. Ideal candidates are those ready to push the boundaries of C-UAS technology, offering solutions that are compatible with the Army's operational requirements and integrated systems.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

VANAHEIM RFI

Notice Description

Join Project VANAHEIM and shape the future of military Counter-Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) operations. VANAHEIM is focused on this operational problem: How a tactical unit be organised and equipped to persistently detect, track, identify and defeat Class 1 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) threats? Project VANAHEIM is joint project being run between the British and United States Armies. It is the first wave of a substantial programme of work updating the Army's C-UAS capabilities against the rapid development of Small UAS in recent years. Through VANAHEIM the British Army is aiming to identify promising C-UAS solutions and technology partners with who it can work to field the next generation of C-UAS capabilities. VANAHEIM is an opportunity to collaborate directly with the British Army and UK Defence within a field test event. This isn't just another industry event - it is a dynamic, field-based test environment where your solutions will take centre stage and you can work with Army personnel to shape Army requirements and potential solutions. The event is planned to take place over multiple days in Germany through June 2025, with subsequent events to be confirmed in July and August. The US Army and Ukrainian Armies will also be participating, with the Australian Army observing. This RFI is to determine a community of interest for further engagement. Target Capability: Capability must be usable by generalist soldiers, able to be carried on the soldier or by a light vehicle, and focused on countering class 1 b/c UAS (including first-person view drones). Solutions must also be Generic Vehicle Architecture/Generic Systems Architecture and ideally SAPIENT compliant, and able to integrate with Battlespace Management Applications. VANAHEIM is the gateway to the teams delivering C-UAS capability to the warfighter. You will have direct access to the experts and their current operational challenges. You should expect: Hands-on testing: deploy your TRL6-TRL9 product(s)in a realistic operational environment. See how they perform under pressure and gain valuable data to refine your technology. Direct feedback: collaborate with military personnel in the field, receiving immediate feedback and tactical insights that will shape the future of your product development. Influence the future: your contributions to VANAHEIM will directly influence future British Army's effort to address its most urgent C-UAS challenges and will shape how the British Army approaches rapid capability development going forward. We are looking for innovative approaches and forward-thinking companies ready to push the boundaries of C-UAS technology, across all Defence lines of development. VANAHEIM is your opportunity to accelerate your technology, build strategic relationships, and contribute to a critical mission. There will be an opportunity to meet and discuss with the VANAHEIM team during the Joint Counter-UAS Office's engagement day, in RAF High Wycombe on 31 March. Project VANAHEIM is run by the British Army's RAPSTONE Task Force, based in Andover.

Planning Information

Please submit detail of your capability, including technical specification where applicable, by 23:59 on Wednesday 2 Apr 25 via email to Sarah.Hammond953@mod.gov.uk stating email subject title - VANAHEIM RFI Response.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04f74d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/010649-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Mar 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Apr 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Apr 2025 - 30 Apr 2027 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Sarah Hammond
Contact Email
sarah.hammond953@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
ANDOVER
Postcode
SP11 8HJ
Post Town
Salisbury
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ36 Central Hampshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Test Valley
Electoral Ward
Andover Millway
Westminster Constituency
North West Hampshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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