--- title: "Expressions of Interest - Remote Controlled Surface Platform" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-a34ccb50-1d7e-47a3-8e8f-abb95b724471" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a34ccb50-1d7e-47a3-8e8f-abb95b724471" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a34ccb50-1d7e-47a3-8e8f-abb95b724471.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a34ccb50-1d7e-47a3-8e8f-abb95b724471.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2022-07-22" --- # Expressions of Interest - Remote Controlled Surface Platform Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-a34ccb50-1d7e-47a3-8e8f-abb95b724471 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-a34ccb50-1d7e-47a3-8e8f-abb95b724471) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a34ccb50-1d7e-47a3-8e8f-abb95b724471.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Defence is currently in the planning stage of its procurement process titled "Expressions of Interest - Remote Controlled Surface Platform." This initiative is focused on acquiring a proven commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or modified COTS boat capable of operating under remote control and adhering to UK Maritime Regulations. Key milestones include an engagement end date set for 6 August 2022. The procurement is classified under the CPV code for Auxiliary research vessels, and it is applicable to various delivery locations, including across the UK and other territories. This tender presents significant opportunities for manufacturers specialising in marine technology, particularly those who can provide innovative solutions for remote-controlled vessels. Business growth can be driven by engaging with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), leveraging the requirement for the craft to fit within a 20ft ISO container while meeting rigorous operational specifications. Those experienced in developing remote-operated vehicles and similar technology would be well-suited to compete, offering skills that align with Dstl's needs for lifting and transporting heavy payloads safely and efficiently. ## Notice Dstl is seeking to procure a proven COTS or modified COTS boat that meets the following requirements. - The system and all subsystems shall be capable of operating under remote control by a human within line of sight. - Meets UK existing and planned Maritime Regulations (MCA) for remote controlled / autonomous platforms. - Shall fit inside a 20ft ISO container (disassembled if required) - Shall have the buoyancy and configuration to enable a winch (GFE) to lift a 1000kg mass (with a 400kg safety factor) from the seabed to 3m below the craft. - Must be able to transit 10 miles from point of departure to recovery location at 6 knots, loiter for up to 8hrs in a two knot current and sea-state F3, transit 10 miles back. - Must be capable of dynamic station-keeping (location and heading) over a given point in sea-state F3 within a 5m radius Dstl would like to hear from manufacturers who have boats that meet, or even nearly meet, these requirements. Please email up to a maximum of two A4 pages to hlander@dstl.gov.uk of specification, drawings and photographs of the proposed craft as well as a table stating if the craft meets the requirements and if it does not, what it can do and how, if possible, it could be modified to do so. A ROM cost of the craft is desirable. Additional information in response to clarification question: Dstl has an ongoing project to determine if an underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV) and a remote controlled surface platform (RCSP) can be used to raise unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the sea bed. The UXO can have a mass of up to 1000kg. The RCSP will need to be able to cope with a transitory load of up to 1400kg to allow for any breakout forces when the UXO is lifted off the seabed. The RCSP will be fitted with a GFE winch. The ROV will attach the winch line to the UXO which will then be raised to within 3m of the RCSP. The RCSP will then transport it to a safe area for disposal. The RCSP will be within sight of a crewed support vessel at all times. The requirement to fit inside a 20ft ISO container cannot be relaxed. However the RCSP can be disassembled to fit inside it. Winch Specifications - the winch will be procured via a separate competition so we cannot yet provide exact information. However we will be looking to procure a winch that meets the following specifications: - Shall be able to lift 1 Ton payload plus 0.4 Ton safety factor - Shall include 250m of pre-stretched synthetic winch line - Shall be able to operate from a 12v or 24v d.c. power source - Size of the winch shall be less than or equal to 750x750x750mm - Overall weight shall be less than 200kg ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4a350d0d-c72c-454f-b209-4dcc35f0fbd1 | | 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 | 22 Jul 2022 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 6 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 | FAREHAM | | Post town | Portsmouth | | Postcode | PO17 6AD | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight | | ITL 3 | TLJ36 Central Hampshire | | Local authority | Winchester | | Electoral ward | Southwick and Wickham | | Westminster constituency | Fareham and Waterlooville | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment ### Codes - 35513200 - Auxiliary research vessel ## Release History - 22 Jul 2022 at 08:51 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4a350d0d-c72c-454f-b209-4dcc35f0fbd1 - 15 Jul 2022 at 06:34 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c19dd926-b37d-41ae-8229-f58e260c4d38 - 7 Jul 2022 at 10:59 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ccb11747-2335-4554-abbe-1fe9fbac1a9e ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/4a350d0d-c72c-454f-b209-4dcc35f0fbd1 22nd July 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/c19dd926-b37d-41ae-8229-f58e260c4d38 15th July 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/ccb11747-2335-4554-abbe-1fe9fbac1a9e 7th July 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-a34ccb50-1d7e-47a3-8e8f-abb95b724471. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-a34ccb50-1d7e-47a3-8e8f-abb95b724471.json.