Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Ministry of Defence
DE&S, Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS348JH
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK11 - Bristol, City of
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Defence
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Flexible Tactical Uncrewed Air System (FTUAS) - Navy UCR
Reference number
RPAS/00002
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The requirement is for the provision of a number of Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) and ancillaries under a Military Owned Military Operated (MOMO) arrangement to be delivered to the Royal Navy (RN) and Integrated onto a Naval Warship, to provide the RN with a Flexible Tactical Uncrewed Air System (FTUAS) Urgent Capability Requirement (UCR) for RN forward presence shipping to counter Crewed and Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) in an operational theatre. The requirement will also require the Contractor to provide a FTUAS system at a UK Royal Navy Air Station, technical information, through life support, as well as the provision of training for operators and maintainers.
The requirement is for a capability to FIND, FIX, TRACK and ASSESS Fast Inshore Attack Craft, Crewed and Uncrewed, operating alone, in large numbers. It is anticipated that the solution will permanently embark on a Naval Warship to provide a persistent, intimate, integrated and assured capability. The ability to operate at sufficient range from its parent ship to facilitate timely decision making is anticipated as is the need for a Maritime Surface Surveillance Radar to satisfactorily deliver “FIND”.
It is anticipated that the equipment will be in service for a period of 24 months from the date of the delivery of the initial operating capability (IOC), with options including a Contract extension up to an additional 24 months, subject to Ministry of Defence approval.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £16,603,402
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ31 - Portsmouth
Main site or place of performance
Portsmouth
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
There are a number of Key Principles, which the Authority believe the Contractor and its supply chain will need to be able to fulfil, in order for the FTUAS solution to be able to operate effectively. These Key Principles include:
1. The ability to supply a Rotary Wing Air Vehicle able to operate embarked within the constraints posed by a Naval Warship, with integrated Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (including a Maritime Surface Surveillance Radar), and the Air System being able to supply / disseminate / process information in the format designated for the Combat Management System, all to be delivered within the programme timescales.
2. The successful solution will most likely be a mature system, possibly with some civil approvals and need little adaptation or modification (e.g. COTS / MOTS) to meet the requirement and be deployable in the operational theatre at sea.
3. Hold ISO9001 or AS9100 accreditation or equivalent
4. The ability to immediately engage with the Authority at the correct classification of Security, manage this information securely, manage export controls appropriately, and supply personnel security cleared to the appropriate level.
There will be a requirement for the Contractor to occasionally deploy Field Service Representatives (FSRs) / trainers to embark on the vessel to provide short term support. Depending on the nature of operations, deployment of the FSR may need to be governed by policy and processes in line with Contractors on Deployed Operations (CONDO).
There may be a requirement for the chosen supplier to transfer the equipment to a different class of Naval Warship in an emergency situation / unforeseen circumstance.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Willingness to Pay / Weighting: 100
Cost criterion - Name: Willingness to Pay / Weighting: 100
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Options including the extension to the Contract, additional goods and services.
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Competitive procedure with negotiation
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2021/S 000-011664
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
RPAS/00002
Title
Flexible Tactical Uncrewed Air System (FTUAS) - Navy UCR
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
29 November 2022
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 2
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 2
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Thales UK Ltd
350 Longwater Avenue, Green Park
Reading
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £16,603,402
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Ministry of Defence
RPAS DT, DE&S, Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS348JH
Country
United Kingdom