--- title: "Request for Information - Maritime Heavy Lift UAS" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-121f392a-97aa-41a9-97eb-1d639945d363" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-121f392a-97aa-41a9-97eb-1d639945d363" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-121f392a-97aa-41a9-97eb-1d639945d363.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-121f392a-97aa-41a9-97eb-1d639945d363.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2021-01-14" --- # Request for Information - Maritime Heavy Lift UAS Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-121f392a-97aa-41a9-97eb-1d639945d363 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-121f392a-97aa-41a9-97eb-1d639945d363) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-121f392a-97aa-41a9-97eb-1d639945d363.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Defence is currently in the planning stage for a Request for Information (RFI) regarding a maritime heavy lift capability using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS). The engagement end date for submissions is set for 22nd January 2021. The authority is looking to understand market capabilities for supporting the Royal Navy's autonomous maritime aviation needs, specifically targeting potential suppliers in the South East region of the United Kingdom. This process is classified under various categories including parts for warships and heavy-lift ship services. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), that specialise in unmanned aerial technologies, lifting equipment, and military research. Companies that can provide innovative and effective solutions in autonomous airborne capabilities will be well-placed to contribute to the Ministry of Defence's goals and potentially engage in future procurement processes stemming from this initial RFI. ## Notice The Ministry Of Defence (The "Authority") is currently seeking information in order to qualify requirements and develop our understanding of the potential for the market to provide an autonomous maritime airborne heavy lift capability for the Royal Navy. The purpose of this Request for Information ("RFI") is to enhance the Authority's awareness and allow for initial review of a range of maritime airborne autonomous capabilities which currently exist or are in development within the marketplace to support the development of the RN's Autonomy network and the creation of the Future Maritime Aviation Force (FMAF, the rapid transformation of crewed aviation roles (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Communications, Lift and Strike) to uncrewed). The Authority intends to use the responses to this RFI to inform future decision making regarding the potential supply of maritime autonomous airborne heavy lift capability. For clarity, this RFI is not a bidding opportunity but a means by which industry can provide information to the Authority. The Authority makes no obligations or undertakings in any way to: i) invite tenders for the capability which is the subject of this RFI; ii) accept any RFI information received from suppliers; iii) include suppliers responding to this RFI in any future tender invitation; or, iv) make any other commitment to respondents whatsoever, including any intention to form a contract with any respondent for provision of the capability. For avoidance of doubt, any resulting procurement activity will be conducted competitively. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bcac329d-7e85-480e-a619-521cb0fa561d | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 14 Jan 2021 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 22 Jan 2021 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planning | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE | | Locality | PORTSMOUTH | | Post town | Portsmouth | | Postcode | PO2 8BY | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight | | ITL 3 | TLJ31 Portsmouth | | Local authority | Portsmouth | | Electoral ward | Nelson | | Westminster constituency | Portsmouth North | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment - 42 - Industrial machinery - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 35520000 - Parts for warships - 35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles - 42400000 - Lifting and handling equipment and parts - 60651400 - Heavy-lift ship services - 73410000 - Military research and technology ## Release History - 14 Jan 2021 at 17:09 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bcac329d-7e85-480e-a619-521cb0fa561d - 4 Jan 2021 at 10:02 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bcac329d-7e85-480e-a619-521cb0fa561d - 18 Dec 2020 at 14:23 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bcac329d-7e85-480e-a619-521cb0fa561d ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bcac329d-7e85-480e-a619-521cb0fa561d 14th January 2021 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/0a8455c8-aac6-4d6e-a7c4-028709545ec0 Request for Information - Airborne Autonomous Heavy Lift UAS - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/3247b058-82a6-4a52-b87c-344276318f7d Request for Information - Airborne Autonomous Heavy Lift UAS - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/b4816bc5-b9a4-4fed-bb59-86b38e545a62 Request for Information - Airborne Autonomous Heavy Lift UAS - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/6b90a5c3-07a1-44af-abcf-d04f64b98be7 ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-121f392a-97aa-41a9-97eb-1d639945d363. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-121f392a-97aa-41a9-97eb-1d639945d363.json.