---
title: "RFI0013 - Animal Biomechanics and Behaviours"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-5bf401d4-4636-416d-b032-1b3038d531ca"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-5bf401d4-4636-416d-b032-1b3038d531ca"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-5bf401d4-4636-416d-b032-1b3038d531ca.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-5bf401d4-4636-416d-b032-1b3038d531ca.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2021-08-18"
---

# RFI0013 - Animal Biomechanics and Behaviours

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-5bf401d4-4636-416d-b032-1b3038d531ca

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## Summary

The Ministry of Defence is currently planning the procurement process for a tender titled "RFI0013 - Animal Biomechanics and Behaviours" focused on the development of unmanned underwater vehicles, inspired by animal propulsion methods. Interested parties can participate in the market engagement that will conclude on 24 September 2021. This engagement process was officially announced on 17 August 2021, with further details available in the documents provided through the Contracts Finder platform. This initiative takes place in the South East region of the United Kingdom and forms part of the broader effort to explore innovative technologies for military applications.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in advanced robotics and marine engineering, particularly those focusing on evolutionary biomechanics inspired by nature. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) stand to gain from this RFI, as it encourages innovative solutions that may reshape the capabilities of uncrewed vehicles. Companies with expertise in biomimicry, underwater vehicle design, or propulsion technologies may find this an ideal opportunity to collaborate with the Royal Navy and contribute to future defence capabilities.

## Notice

The Royal Navy is interested in progressing its use in uncrewed surface and underwater vehicles which have a unique propulsion system and/or design based on physical animal behaviours. Evolutionary biomechanics move away from using a traditional thruster, to those inspired by the flapping fins of swimming animals such as rays, penguins and turtles. Examples of this may include, but not be limited to how a dolphin manoeuvres underwater, or how a sea snake swims on the surface. This Request for Further Information (RFI) therefore aims to understand the technology that already exists in the commercial sector as a view for potential future investment.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ba49a64a-f8c0-400a-9e16-a02a4962672c |
| 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 | 18 Aug 2021 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 24 Sep 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

### Codes

- 35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles

## Release History

- 18 Aug 2021 at 07:57 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ba49a64a-f8c0-400a-9e16-a02a4962672c
- 17 Aug 2021 at 15:47 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2c8da424-b88b-4a94-8925-7b238aca12dd

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ba49a64a-f8c0-400a-9e16-a02a4962672c
  18th August 2021 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/2c8da424-b88b-4a94-8925-7b238aca12dd
  17th August 2021 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/3fc26ac7-451e-440b-a147-cc495e1833b5
  n/a
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/b0e9ada1-0090-4cad-8c42-30f57003e5a6
  n/a

## 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-b5fd17-5bf401d4-4636-416d-b032-1b3038d531ca. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-5bf401d4-4636-416d-b032-1b3038d531ca.json.