--- title: "Project Aristaeus - RFI" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-7be7798a-9654-4116-89a0-9b86e112218c" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7be7798a-9654-4116-89a0-9b86e112218c" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7be7798a-9654-4116-89a0-9b86e112218c.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7be7798a-9654-4116-89a0-9b86e112218c.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2022-08-19" --- # Project Aristaeus - RFI Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-7be7798a-9654-4116-89a0-9b86e112218c [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-7be7798a-9654-4116-89a0-9b86e112218c) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7be7798a-9654-4116-89a0-9b86e112218c.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Defence has initiated a planning stage tender titled "Project Aristaeus - RFI" in the industry category of Power supply accessories, relating to the supply of converters for electrical testing of ASRAAM missiles. The engagement end date for this tender is August 31, 2022. The potential opportunities lie in providing commercial off-the-shelf solutions meeting the specified requirements. The Ministry of Defence is seeking solutions that are field deployable, comply with explosive safety regulations, and can operate in challenging environments. This procurement process by the Ministry of Defence presents business growth opportunities for companies specializing in power supply accessories and interruptible power supplies. Small and medium enterprises are particularly suitable to compete in this tender. Interested businesses should focus on offering cost-effective solutions that meet the technical specifications and maintenance requirements outlined by the Ministry of Defence. Responsive firms should consider factors such as lead time for delivery, compliance with military standards, and suitability for portable use in various environments. ## Notice Advanced Short Range Air-To-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) are subjected to electrical testing using a Field Test Set (FTS). The FTS does not contain the ability to power itself, thus a requirement exist to supply / produce a converter to supply FTS power direct from domestic power supplies; power input from domestic mains (110/240v 50 Hz 1Ph AC) and supply the required FTS input voltages, 115V 400 Hz 3Ph AC and 28VDC. Any converter produced must adhere to explosive safety regulations and the following standards; EN6100-6-1 and EN61000-6-3, (Ingress Protection) IP20 (IEC529), IP54 internal to any protective casing; EN50091-1, EN50091-2, EN61000. Adherence to Explosive Safety standards will be assessed via the Defence Ordinance Safety Regulator (DOSR). 1. What Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) solutions are available to meet this requirement within industry? What are the associated costs if there is already a working solution (manufacture, delivery, import/export costs)? 2. If there is a COTS solution, can you provide technical specifications, including compliance when used within an explosive processing environment. 3. What through life and maintenance packages are provided to support the COTS system (fault rectification, preventative maintenance). If so, what are the additional costs? 4. Is the COTS system 'field deployable'? Is it robust to operate in austere environments (waterproof, rigidised)? 5. If no COTS option is available, can you design and produce a working solution? If so, please detail the warranty period (if available), are there any training requirements before use, is it deployable, what is the cost of generation? 6. Would a site visit be required prior to design and manufacture of a prototype / production run of the power converter? 7. If a new converter is to be designed and produce, what would be the lead time before delivery? What do you see the risks being of generating a prototype? 8. The FTS power output sockets are military standard. If there is a COTS solution but does not have military power connectors installed, can these be installed thus enabling use on the FTS? 9. Is it possible for any COTS or designed and produced solution to be portable, weighing less than 20KG, be no bigger than 1m3, and operate in temperatures of -10degC to +40degC. Further information and the Statement of Requirement can be obtained by emailing: rachael.murby100@mod.gov.uk Responses and clarification questions to this RFI should be provided to the email address: rachael.murby100@mod.gov.uk ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/eab71745-2957-43da-a86c-2b34817ef96d | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 19 Aug 2022 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 31 Aug 2022 | | 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 | WHITTINGTON | | Post town | Walsall | | Postcode | WS14 9PY | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG2 Shropshire and Staffordshire | | ITL 3 | TLG24 Staffordshire CC | | Local authority | Lichfield | | Electoral ward | Whittington & Streethay | | Westminster constituency | Tamworth | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 30 - Office and computing machinery, equipment and supplies except furniture and software packages - 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment ### Codes - 30237280 - Power supply accessories - 31156000 - Interruptible power supplies - 35622100 - Air-to-air missiles ## Release History - 19 Aug 2022 at 11:03 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/eab71745-2957-43da-a86c-2b34817ef96d - 17 Aug 2022 at 13:13 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/02ac8c8f-013d-4f1c-bccb-2372191f3162 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/eab71745-2957-43da-a86c-2b34817ef96d 19th August 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/02ac8c8f-013d-4f1c-bccb-2372191f3162 17th August 2022 - 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-b5fd17-7be7798a-9654-4116-89a0-9b86e112218c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-7be7798a-9654-4116-89a0-9b86e112218c.json.