--- title: "UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC)" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-fa781acc-64eb-4b72-b8dc-32c3d9b701ad" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fa781acc-64eb-4b72-b8dc-32c3d9b701ad" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fa781acc-64eb-4b72-b8dc-32c3d9b701ad.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fa781acc-64eb-4b72-b8dc-32c3d9b701ad.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2022-08-08" --- # UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-fa781acc-64eb-4b72-b8dc-32c3d9b701ad [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-fa781acc-64eb-4b72-b8dc-32c3d9b701ad) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-fa781acc-64eb-4b72-b8dc-32c3d9b701ad.json) ## Summary The UAS Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework, initiated by the Ministry of Defence, aims to enhance the development of autonomous Heavy Lift Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) primarily for maritime applications. The tender is currently in the planning stage, with submissions closing on 5th September 2022. The total estimated value of the contract is £95 million, with a minimum potential value set at £1.225 million. The contract period is expected to run from 16th September 2022 until 31st August 2027, with delivery addresses located in the South West of England. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses involved in aerospace and defence technologies, particularly those offering innovative UAS solutions, novel payloads, or advanced software. Companies that can demonstrate relevant capabilities or contribute to improving the Heavy Lift UAS market, whether they focus on platform development or supporting technologies such as fuels and counter-UAS systems, would be well-positioned to compete. Engaging with this framework can facilitate collaboration and accelerate product development, ultimately helping businesses to expand their market presence in the defence sector. ## Notice The Uncrewed Air Systems Heavy Lift Capability (UASHLC) Framework (the Framework) has been created by the Authority to accelerate the development of a range of autonomous Heavy Lift UAS for use predominantly, but not exclusively, in the maritime domain. The intention is to address the lack of current options in the market by increasing the number of delivery ready platforms in order to help support and develop the Authority's understanding of the potential capabilities and operational uses for such Uncrewed systems. The Authority will facilitate accelerated development of one or more Supplier UAS to meet or exceed the requirements of Authority defined Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), along with complementary and underpinning technologies that will enhance UAS operational capabilities. Our intent is to ensure that Defence will have access at the speed of relevance, to current and future emerging cutting-edge capabilities for use within the Royal Navy and other domains. The Authority will facilitate, via the use of this competitive framework, an environment whereby suppliers are able to demonstrate current capabilities, set out product development and commercial exploitation roadmaps and work with both the Authority and potentially with other suppliers to accelerate pace of development and reduce time to market. The purpose of the UASHLC Framework is therefore to support and inform the development of Maritime operating concepts and enable assessment, analysis, exploration and evaluation of the use of UAS for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) payload delivery and broader UAS capabilities. The Framework is designed specifically to: i) provide Sponsor / User confidence in the potential for UAS systems to provide recoverable, adaptable, Autonomous/remotely piloted air systems, capable of accurately delivering heavy payloads at range; ii) enable the Authority to identify and as appropriate fund the most viable solutions in the market for accelerated further development in order to meet the Authority's minimum requirements (the MVPs) within the timescales stated, iii) provide the Authority with a mechanism for end users to potentially acquire systems for further evaluation or other use. The framework is open to all Industry Partners who can articulate how their technology/capability can enhance the Heavy Lift UAS market, thereby not constraining the framework to only Platform providers, as underpinning and novel UAS related technologies and capabilities are also in scope. These underpinning and novel technologies and capabilities can encompass (but aren't restricted to) payloads, fuels, software, and Counter UAS technologies (ground or platform based). The first tasking within the framework will be based around two confirmed sprints as articulated below, with scope for an additional three sprints as the programme develops (Authority requirement and funding dependent). ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5a226bc8-ad03-493d-b609-0effd518460f | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Restricted procedure (above threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 8 Aug 2022 | | Submission deadline | 5 Sep 2022 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 15 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £95,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE | | Locality | BRISTOL | | Post town | Bristol | | Postcode | BS34 8JH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England | | ITL 3 | TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire | | Local authority | South Gloucestershire | | Electoral ward | Stoke Park & Cheswick | | Westminster constituency | Filton and Bradley Stoke | | Delivery location | TLK South West (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 35613100 - Unmanned combat aerial vehicles - 73410000 - Military research and technology ## Release History - 8 Aug 2022 at 08:46 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5a226bc8-ad03-493d-b609-0effd518460f - 5 Aug 2022 at 10:28 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5a226bc8-ad03-493d-b609-0effd518460f ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5a226bc8-ad03-493d-b609-0effd518460f 8th August 2022 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contracts.mod.uk/go/6958889401826D686277 Link to PQQ ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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