Tender

Met Office Academic Partnership Science Framework

  • Met Office

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2022/S 000-010397

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-032581

Published 21 April 2022, 3:38pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Met Office

Fitzroy Road

Exeter

EX1 3PB

Contact

Mrs Mel Staton

Email

mel.staton@metoffice.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1392885279

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk

Buyer's address

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert/Index?advertId=2d064d34-4cab-ec11-8112-005056b64545

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/Advert/Index?advertId=2d064d34-4cab-ec11-8112-005056b64545

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local Agency/Office

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Weather and Climate Services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Met Office Academic Partnership Science Framework

Reference number

DN600943

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73100000 - Research and experimental development services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

The Met Office is inviting UK Universities to bid for a place on the Met Office Academic Partnership (MOAP) Science Framework and become MOAP partners, in order to support delivery of the Met Office Research & Innovation Strategy.

The proposed Lot structure for the framework is as follows: 13 Lots in total covering Met Office Academic Partnership Services and Agreements, for up to 8 Universities covering:

Lot 1 - Joint Chair Services

Lot 2 - Hazard to Decision Making

Lot 3 - Research to Production

Lot 4 - Producing, Refining and Delivering data

Lot 5 - Seamless Environmental Prediction

Lot 6 - Next Generation Modelling Systems

Lot 7 - Fusing Simulation with Data Sciences

Lot 8 - The Path to High Resolution

Lot 9 - Producing and Exploiting Ensembles

Lot 10 - Capturing Environmental Complexity

Lot 11 - Technology Architecture and Innovation

Lot 12 - Advancing Observations

Lot 13 - Co-Sponsorship Agreements

Each of the Lots numbered 2 to 12 may be represented by 1 or any number up to the

maximum of up to 8 Universities.

Lots 1 and 13 will be awarded to up to the same 8 potential Universities.

A strategic overview, operational overview and Commercial overview can be found

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/approach/collaboration/partnership.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £8,000,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

Tenders may be submitted for all lots

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Joint Chair Services

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Met Office Academic Partnership (MOAP) is a cluster of research excellence bringing

together the Met Office and leading UK Universities through a formal collaboration to

advance the science and skill of weather and climate prediction.

To foster the Partnership the Met Office invests in jointly funded chairs (‘MOAP Joint Chair

Services’) with partner Universities. Up to 8 Universities will be awarded a place on Lot 1 to

deliver Joint Chair Services.

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: £1,600,000

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 every 4 years. Renewal of the Joint Chair contracts will be aligned to the delivery of the R&I strategy and subject to year on year funding.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Hazard to decision making

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Hazard to Decision Making Research and Innovation Theme

Expand and improve our services for stakeholders’ risk-based decision making by working

with users, social scientists, behavioural scientists, financial impact experts and engineers to

gain an increased understanding of the impacts of hazards and to develop better impact based services.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Research to Production

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Research to Production Theme

Pull through developments in weather and climate research to improve our forecast

systems, tailored to services in the forecasting timescales of primary interest to the Met

Office and its customers.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Producing, Refining and Delivering data

Lot No

4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Producing, Refining and Delivering data Theme

Develop the Met Office supercomputing estate for operations and research, establish the

technology and science needed to move, store and process our data, and design a flexible

post-processing framework to turn predictions and observations into customer products.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Seamless Environmental Prediction

Lot No

5

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seamless Environmental Prediction Theme

Further develop our world-leading seamless environmental prediction capability, whereby a

single model family is used in conjunction with observations and theory, to quantify weather

hazards in the past, in present day climate and into the future across weather and climate

timescales.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Next Generation Modelling Systems

Lot No

6

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Next Generation Modelling Systems Theme

Revolutionise the Met Office’s complete weather and climate research and operational

simulation systems so that the Met Office and its partners are ready to fully exploit future

generations of supercomputer.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Fusing Simulation with Data Sciences

Lot No

7

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Fusing Simulation with Data Sciences Theme

Use new and evolving data science methods such as artificial intelligence and machine

learning and advanced data assimilation in order to remain at the cutting edge of weather

and climate prediction and impact-based services.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

The Path to High Resolution

Lot No

8

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Path to High Resolution Theme

In order to better predict hazards and extremes, develop the next generation of very high

resolution global and regional environmental prediction systems, based on global

convection-permitting atmosphere models coupled to eddy-resolving ocean models and

eddy-permitting regional atmosphere models coupled to estuary-resolving shelf-seas

models.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Producing and Exploiting Ensembles

Lot No

9

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Producing and Exploiting Ensembles Theme

In order to include forecasts of uncertainty at the heart of our endeavour, develop ensemble based systems and exploit them for prediction across timescales, while developing new and

novel uses of ensemble information for improved understanding of weather and climate.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Capturing Environmental Complexity

Lot No

10

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Capturing Environmental Complexity Theme

In order to pioneer new and improved impact based forecast services and advice on global

climate change mitigation, extend our environmental prediction capability with a focus on

cities, air quality, the water cycle, and carbon and nitrogen cycles.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Technology Architecture and Innovation

Lot No

11

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Technology Architecture and Innovation Theme

The Met Office is looking to develop a federated cloud data platform for Met Office and partner scientists and experts. This will mean developing appropriate standards for data and cloud service interoperability, enhancing opportunities for collaboration on weather and climate domain protocols, APIs, and architectures; and developing a high level platform service model for weather and climate domain users, such as supercomputing services, data/model cataloguing and discovery, adhoc query engines over massive data sets, cross platform data notification and pipelining from modelling through to data services.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Advancing Observations

Lot No

12

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Advancing Observations Theme

The Met Office is seeking a step change in its observational capability to deliver what is needed in the 2030s through realising the value of third party and opportunistic observations. This will mean enhancing benefits from underpinning reference and baseline observation networks; systemically enabling access to non traditional and third party observational data; identifying opportunities to assess low Technology Readiness Level observational opportunities for viability; and developing methodologies to exploit these data.

A copy of the Met Office Research and Innovation Strategy can be found:

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/binaries/content/assets/metofficegovuk/pdf/research/r-i_strategy_full_version_sml.pdf

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

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 every 4 years. Contracts under Lots 2 to 12 will be let on an as and when required basis in line with the R&I Strategy to deliver the work.

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

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Co-Sponsorship Agreements

Lot No

13

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services
  • 73300000 - Design and execution of research and development
  • 73400000 - Research and Development services on security and defence materials

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Co-Sponsorship Agreements may be available for up to 8 Universities (The same Universities

who achieve a Joint Chair Services place on Lot 1).

These agreements are approximately 10 in number per annum covering various jointly funded key personnel to support delivery of MOAP research projects.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

48

This contract is subject to renewal

No

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 three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

List and brief description of conditions

The following criteria must be met by UK organisations submitting a bid against this Call:

• The organisation must be a registered UK HEI (https://www.gov.uk/check-a-university-is-officially-recognised/recognised-bodies)

• The organisation must be highly rated for research in meteorology and atmospheric science (within the top 200 of the Shanghai ranking for Atmospheric Science: Shanghai Ranking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects).

• A single bid per organisation is invited. All bids from an organisation will be rejected if more than one bid is received. Where a University is comprised of colleges or other subdivisions, for the purposes of this competition, these will be treated as the same organisation.

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

Selection criteria as stated in the procurement documents

three.2) Conditions related to the contract

three.2.3) Information about staff responsible for the performance of the contract

Obligation to indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to performing the contract


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 several operators

In the case of framework agreements, provide justification for any duration exceeding 4 years:

The Framework will be for a 4 year period. Up to 8 UK registered Universities may be offered a place on the framework.

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: 2022/S 000-007911

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

13 June 2022

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

13 June 2022

Local time

12:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: Yes

Estimated timing for further notices to be published: This framework will be completed every 4 years unless a different route to market is chosen.

six.2) Information about electronic workflows

Electronic ordering will be used

Electronic invoicing will be accepted

Electronic payment will be used

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Legal Services

Fitzroy Road

Exeter

EX1 3PB

Email

michael.robbins@metoffice.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures

Legal Services

Fitzeroy Road

Exeter

EX1 3PB

Email

michael.robbins@metoffice.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom