Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Met Office
Fitzroy Road
Exeter
EX1 3PB
Contact
Ms Alison Browning
alison.browning@metoffice.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 3301350121
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?tabName=opportunities&resetFilter=True
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via
https://procontract.due-north.com
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Weather and climate services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Iridium Satellite Modem Supply
Reference number
DN757572
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 32530000 - Satellite-related communications equipment
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
Marine Systems Engineering (MSE) in the Met Office maintain a network automatic weather stations consisting of moored buoys in the North Atlantic Ocean, Light Vessels in the English Channel and Voluntary Observation Ships.
This network was originally established in the 1990’s and remains a key component of our well characterised and high quality ‘reference’ capability, providing much valued observations for operational forecasting, climate monitoring and key calibration data for meteorological satellites.
Marine Observation data is currently transmitted hourly over the Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) satellite network using now obsolete Iridium 9522b SBD modems. Observations are limited to hourly due to the cost of Iridium satellite SBD data plans.
Met Office need to procure a replacement modem, with a suggested change in technology moving form Short Burst Data (SBD) to Internet Protocol (IP).
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £180,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 34930000 - Marine equipment
- 32552410 - Modems
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
Main site or place of performance
UK wide.
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Marine Systems Engineering (MSE) in the Met Office maintain a network automatic weather stations consisting of moored buoys in the North Atlantic Ocean, Light Vessels in the English Channel and Voluntary Observation Ships.
This network was originally established in the 1990’s and remains a key component of our well characterised and high quality ‘reference’ capability, providing much valued observations for operational forecasting, climate monitoring and key calibration data for meteorological satellites.
Marine Observation data is currently transmitted hourly over the Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) satellite network using now obsolete Iridium 9522b SBD modems. Observations are limited to hourly due to the cost of Iridium satellite SBD data plans.
Met Office need to procure a replacement modem, with a suggested change in technology moving form Short Burst Data (SBD) to Internet Protocol (IP).
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
two.2.6) Estimated value
Value excluding VAT: £180,000
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months
48
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Renewal of the framework will be over 4 years.
two.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
Framework agreement with a single operator
In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date
31 March 2025
Local time
12:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
Duration in months: 6 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date
31 March 2025
Local time
12:00pm
Place
Met Office HQ Exeter
Section six. Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: Yes
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Legal Services
Fitzroy Road
Exeter
EX1 3PB
michael.robbins@metoffice.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
Legal Services
Fitzroy Road
Exeter
EX1 3PB
michael.robbins@metoffice.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom