Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Ministry of Defence
Bristol
alixander.oconnor116@mod.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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
WATCHKEEPER AIRPORT SERVICES AND ACCOMODATION AT WEST WALES AIRPORT FOR WATCHKEEPER TEST AND EVALUATION
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 70220000 - Non-residential property renting or leasing services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Thales Watchkeeper is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for all weather, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) used by the British Army. Watchkeeper In-Service Support has been provided since the AV came into service in the 2010s.
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: £6,500,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
WATCHKEEPER AIRPORT SERVICES AND ACCOMODATION AT WEST WALES AIRPORT FOR WATCHKEEPER TEST AND EVALUATION
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
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
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
Short description of the contract or purchase(s):
The continued provision of airport services, facilities and building lease/s as a direct contract with West Wales Airport (WWA) to support the Watchkeeper Unpiloted Air System Programme Test and Evaluation (T &E).
Reason For Award of Contract:
To enable continuation of Watchkeeper T & E from 1 April 2024 to 31 Mar 2027 to align with the Watchkeeper In-Service Support Contract and associated tasks requiring T & E.
Justification for Non-Competitive Decision:
Only WWA has the regulated environmental conditions under which WK T & E flying can take place, and therefore is the only location where T & E can be carried out in accordance with the T & E Military Permit to Fly (MPTF).
The MPTF dictates how specific Air Vehicle/s will be operated as part of the prime flying contractor Thales’ UK (ISR)’s Contractor Flying Approved Organization Scheme (CFAOS) responsibilities, granted by the UK Military Airworthiness Authority (MAA). The MPTF includes an Airspace Constraints prohibition relating to flying and does not allow for T & E flying to take place at other location. The MPTF will not recommend alternative sites as being suitable within the proposed contracting timeframe.
In accordance with Regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate.
Accordingly, it is considered that this contract can be awarded to West Wales Airport Ltd using the negotiated procedure without prior publication pursuant to Regulation 16(1) (a) (ii) of the UK Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for Technical Reasons.
Main Place of Performance or Delivery:
West Wales Airport, Blaenannerch, Cardigan SA43 2DZ
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
7 March 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
West Wales Airport LTD
Hereford
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £6,500,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Ministry of Defence
Bristol
Country
United Kingdom