--- title: "Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - RFI" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2023-10-27" --- # Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - RFI Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Defence has initiated a tender titled "Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - RFI" in the air defence radar industry category. This procurement process is currently in the planning stage, with an engagement end date set for November 10, 2023. The authority seeks to replace the Mission Critical Briefing System for the Royal Air Force, essential for Quick Reaction Alert missions in the UK and Falklands Islands. The system will provide vital information exchange capabilities and must be deployable to various locations, including Forward Operating Bases, with the ability to operate on specific networks. This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specializing in air defence radar systems and communications technology. Suitable businesses should have expertise in delivering complex communication systems, as the new capability required must operate on IP/4G/5G/wi-fi networks. The Ministry of Defence aims to procure a long-term solution that will be supportable until 2040, creating a significant growth opportunity for businesses that can meet the specified technical requirements and deployment needs. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with experience in defence technology and voice communication systems are well-suited to compete for this contract. ## Notice Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - Request For Information (RFI) Additional information: Request For Information of Ministry of Defence - Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System Introduction The authority has a potential future requirement for the procurement and support of a replacement Mission Critical Briefing System for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Mission Critical Briefing System initiates Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions both in the UK and Falklands Islands (FI). Robust information exchange architecture with the minimum people in the chain is essential. The messages will be not above OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE. A long term, replacement solution is required that provides a capability at the QRA Main Operating Bases and supporting units, as well as to the QRA aircraft cockpit. In addition, to enable Agile Combat Employment (ACE),any replacement should be capable of being deployed and used at any mil/civ Forward Operating Base. The Mission Critical Briefing System capability secures unambiguous information exchange between Control and Reporting Centres (CRCs), Operations, Air Traffic Control and High Readiness Platforms for National and NATO QRA operations. This Request for Information (RFI) may be used to inform the procurement strategy, assess whether industry has the capacity to deliver the requirement to the timescales needed, provide VROM cost for the replacement capability. The authority's commercial strategy is to complete this requirement. Requirements The new capability shall be able to operate on Internet Protocol (IP)/4G/5G/wi-fi networks, via MoD RLI network. The capability will be easily deployable to a Forward Operating Base or alternate locations. A deployable capability shall be able to operate on Internet Protocol (IP)/4G/5G/wi-fi networks, via MoD RLI network. For the purpose of providing VROM costs the deployed capability profile can be assumed as interfacing with 2 x Aircraft and 6 x Operators / Users (Sqn Ops, Stn Ops, Air Crew (when not in cockpit), ATC Tower). Additionally, forward holding complement of spares including Intercom Units / Line Replaceable Units / Cable Assembly in support of 1st/2nd Line (Depth A/B) maintenance activities on deployment. For VROM Costs assume 1 x deployable Mission Critical Briefing System. The capability shall interface with the TYPHOON platform. The capability will shall integrate with GUARDIAN C4i advanced VOICE C2 voice over IP (VoIP) Communication System (VCS) at the CRCs at RAF Boulmer and 78 Sqn, Swanwick in the UK and at MPC, FI. The capability shall be supportable until 31 Mar 2040 (15 years). DSEAR 2002 - Any equipment and cable assemblies installed within hazardous areas shall meet the minimum Zone 2 site requirements for electrical equipment of: Gas Group IIA, Temperature Class T3. The use of ATEX certified enclosures as part of the overall design is acceptable if the above criteria is met. Train-the-Trainer Course - The supplier will be required to deliver a Train-the-Trainer package with D ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f29d52a4-4bcc-45ff-9377-48b60e8c7dbb | | 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 | 27 Oct 2023 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 10 Nov 2023 | | 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 | HENLOW | | Post town | Stevenage | | Postcode | SG16 6DN | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLH25 Central Bedfordshire | | Local authority | Central Bedfordshire | | Electoral ward | Clifton, Henlow & Langford | | Westminster constituency | Hitchin | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment ### Codes - 35723000 - Air defence radar ## Release History - 27 Oct 2023 at 08:42 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f29d52a4-4bcc-45ff-9377-48b60e8c7dbb - 27 Oct 2023 at 08:36 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6dadb8d6-3157-4f63-980e-e7e238cedac7 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f29d52a4-4bcc-45ff-9377-48b60e8c7dbb 27th October 2023 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6dadb8d6-3157-4f63-980e-e7e238cedac7 27th October 2023 - Early engagement 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-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-607720c4-b894-4d1b-9e50-6d0b6e896bb0.json.