Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Ministry of Defence
Bristol
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
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
700003315 - Extension of PDM/INA in-service support contract (ISS)
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 75221000 - Military defence services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The role of the PDM system is to receive G&TR sensor inputs from the platform Gyro/Naval Compass Stabilisers, Ship's Log System and Wind Data System, and output this data in the required format to various navigation and weapon systems. Provision is also made for the input of simulated data and for transmission to various user equipment’s for training purposes. This role is generally common to all outfits of PDM. Navigation capability on RN ships is a critical component of a ship’s ability to operate and fight, hence any failure or degradation of these systems will place significant risk on the RN’s ability to fulfil the Authority’s required defence outcomes in accordance with the Authority’s Defence Strategy and RN Command Plan.
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: £5,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The role of the PDM system is to receive G&TR sensor inputs from the platform Gyro/Naval Compass Stabilisers, Ship's Log System and Wind Data System, and output this data in the required format to various navigation and weapon systems. Provision is also made for the input of simulated data and for transmission to various user equipment’s for training purposes. This role is generally common to all outfits of PDM. Navigation capability on RN ships is a critical component of a ship’s ability to operate and fight, hence any failure or degradation of these systems will place significant risk on the RN’s ability to fulfil the Authority’s required defence outcomes in accordance with the Authority’s Defence Strategy and RN Command Plan.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Criterion: Extension 100
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
Negotiated procedure without publication of a contract notice
- No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to negotiated procedure with prior publication of a contract notice
- The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development
Explanation:
The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (the “Authority”) intends to initially extend contract CSA/3049 for 5 months (from 01 July to 30 Nov 24) as an interim support solution, based upon current Scope of Work, rates/pricing and essential updates to T&Cs. This will then allow negotiations and discussions to take place between both parties to further extend the contract until 30th June 2027 as an adapted QDC contract. The contract will be extended with Ultra Electronics Command and Sonar Systems (the “Company”) for in-service support for Platform Data Management (PDM) Systems. The Equipment’s managed are the PDM/INA Outfits fitted to Type 23 Frigates (PDM2TR), Single Role Minehunter (PDM3), Vanguard Class Submarines (PDM4) and Fort Victoria (RFA) (PDM5(1)). Without a support contract, the serviceability of the navigational data distribution communication system which is needed for Command and control cannot be guaranteed. PDM is critical for platform navigation and deployment. PDM4 is used onboard our Continuous At Sea Deterrent Boats (CASD).
Ultra are the existing Contractor for PDM. PDM was developed and brought into service in the 1990’s. The technology used in PDM is aged which presents ongoing supportability and obsolescence challenges. Ultra have the legacy knowledge of PDM having supported this equipment since it was developed through a subsidiary of Ultra called PMES. Therefore, due to the age of the equipment and wider technical advances across the industry, moving support arrangements to an alternative supplier would be difficult. This is due to various reasons including legacy knowledge of PDM and testing and repair equipment owned by Ultra.
Through the development of the PDM systems, the OEM has designed and developed their own test and repair equipment to enable them to maintain, repair and modify the PDM equipment to the standards required by the Authority. Ultra are the only supplier with the appropriate level of technical knowledge and SQEP availability, for the systems they have responsibility, to operate the test and repair equipment safely.
The planned term of the extension to contract CSA/3049 is initially 5 months as interim support, then extended for the period of Dec 2024 to June 2027. The total value of this extended period is estimated to be c£5.0m. It is assessed that only the Contractor can achieve delivery of this requirement within the timeframe available on all ships within scope, without considerable risk to the continued operation of the fleet.
It is considered that this contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication pursuant the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 (SI 1848), on the basis that the contract may be awarded only to the Company for technical reasons. The Company alone has at its disposal the specialist knowledge and equipment and meet the Authority’s technical requirements under the contract. Prior publication of a contract notice in the official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
700003315
Title
Extension of contract to maintain In Service Support of Platform Data Management Systems (PDM)
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
5 April 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
Ultra Electronics Command and Sonar Systems
High Wycombe
HP10 9UT
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: £5,000,000
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
Defence, Equipment & Support (Ministry of Defence)
Bristol
BS34 8JH
Country
United Kingdom