---
title: "Transparency Notice Only: Project Apolaki Optical Technology Trial Support"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-3b530b5b-b7cc-4740-9ff3-788fceeb9d13"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-3b530b5b-b7cc-4740-9ff3-788fceeb9d13"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3b530b5b-b7cc-4740-9ff3-788fceeb9d13.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3b530b5b-b7cc-4740-9ff3-788fceeb9d13.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2021-06-30"
---

# Transparency Notice Only: Project Apolaki Optical Technology Trial Support

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-3b530b5b-b7cc-4740-9ff3-788fceeb9d13

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## Summary

The procurement process titled "Transparency Notice Only: Project Apolaki Optical Technology Trial Support" was initiated by the Ministry of Defence in the United Kingdom. This project falls under the industry category of Research services and involves a direct procurement method through a single tender action. The contract, valued at £32,228, has been awarded to QinetiQ Limited, with the contract period commencing on 25th November 2020 and concluding on 5th March 2021. The award notice was published on 30th June 2021 and the relevant field trials are planned for October at a specified training area in the South West region.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, especially those specialised in advanced communications technologies like Free Space Optical Commutations (FSOC) and LiFi. Companies involved in the supply of equipment and technical expertise for military and research applications would be well-suited to participate in similar future tenders. Those with experience in innovative research services may find avenues for growth by engaging in the evolving landscape of military communication capabilities.

## Notice

Free Space Optical Commutations (FSOC) and LiFi are emerging capability in the wider military and specialist user toolbox of communication capabilities. The very nature of how these capabilities work in comparison to RF communications means that there are inherent advantages and some disadvantages to the technology. This has led to MAB purchasing some COTS equipment to trial and test use cases prior to adoption. MAB intends to run some field trials of FSOC and LiFi COTS equipment around October at a training area specified by the customer. While MAB can conduct the set up and functional aspects of the trials they require support from QinetiQ in order to conduct the specialist technical parts of the testing. The technical parts of the testing will require use of equipment that is not owned by either DSTL or MAB and so QinetiQ will need to provide this equipment and also analysis the test data. Sole Source Contract to QinetiQ Ltd

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f7300bf6-b0e3-4d76-bae5-c82ba226d77d |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Single tender action (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 30 Jun 2021 |
| Submission deadline | 20 Nov 2020 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 25 Nov 2020 |
| Contract period | 25 Nov 2020 - 5 Mar 2021 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £32,228 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £32,228 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE |
| Locality | SWINDON |
| Post town | Swindon |
| Postcode | SN6 8LA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire |
| ITL 3 | TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC |
| Local authority | Vale of White Horse |
| Electoral ward | Watchfield & Shrivenham |
| Westminster constituency | Witney |
| Delivery location | TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | QINETIQ |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73110000 - Research services

## Release History

- 30 Jun 2021 at 14:34 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f7300bf6-b0e3-4d76-bae5-c82ba226d77d

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f7300bf6-b0e3-4d76-bae5-c82ba226d77d
  30th June 2021 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## 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-b5fd17-3b530b5b-b7cc-4740-9ff3-788fceeb9d13. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-3b530b5b-b7cc-4740-9ff3-788fceeb9d13.json.