Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Porton Down
SALISBURY
SP40JQ
Contact
Dstl Commercial Services CT&S Division
Telephone
+44 1980950000
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK15 - Wiltshire CC
Justification for not providing organisation identifier
Not on any register
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-science-and-technology-laboratory
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
TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3
Reference number
RQ0000021478
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 73410000 - Military research and technology
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract valued at up to £1,000,000.00 (EX VAT) with Xi Systems Limited ("the Contractor") to carry out additional research and development services and supplies on TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3, whereby the research requirement seeks to replace traditional magnetically operated changeover reed switches, often used as the main power control mechanism for a range of plastic enclosed operational equipment used in support to operations in challenging operational scenarios. Phase 1 successfully delivered a miniaturised solution in FY22/23. The Phase 2 & 3 research objective is focused on further enhancement to the capability by conducting research to increasing the operational range and upgrading the power handling capability of the switch. Subject to successful further development the Authority may procure a limited quantity of prototype systems.
It is considered that this Contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication of a contract notice pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(c) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for the provision of Research and Development services, to which these Regulations apply. Any prototype systems to be purchased under this contract are not pre-production prototypes, and are to be manufactured solely for the purposes of research and development and are not being purchased for quantity production to establish commercial viability or to recover research and development costs.
This proposed new contract will enable the Authority to ensure continued access to research and development services which enable exploitation of the Phase 1 system, including support of the Phase 1 system so that it can be exploited through rapid response tasks (RRTs) delivered through Dstl. Research and Development services are forecast to include technical services to research and resolve bug fixes, app maintenance and software and firmware updates. Research and Development services shall further look into the operational capability and feasibility in the context of next generation capability to ensure continued improvement.
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: £1,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK - South West (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract valued at up to £1,000,000.00 (EX VAT) with Xi Systems Limited ("the Contractor") to carry out additional research and development services and supplies on TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3, whereby the research requirement seeks to replace traditional magnetically operated changeover reed switches, often used as the main power control mechanism for a range of plastic enclosed operational equipment used in support to operations in challenging operational scenarios. Phase 1 successfully delivered a miniaturised solution in FY22/23. The Phase 2 & 3 research objective is focused on further enhancement to the capability by conducting research to increasing the operational range and upgrading the power handling capability of the switch. Subject to successful further development the Authority may procure a limited quantity of prototype systems.
It is considered that this Contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication of a contract notice pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(c) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for the provision of Research and Development services, to which these Regulations apply. Any prototype systems to be purchased under this contract are not pre-production prototypes, and are to be manufactured solely for the purposes of research and development and are not being purchased for quantity production to establish commercial viability or to recover research and development costs.
This proposed new contract will enable the Authority to ensure continued access to research and development services which enable exploitation of the Phase 1 system, including support of the Phase 1 system so that it can be exploited through rapid response tasks (RRTs) delivered through Dstl. Research and Development services are forecast to include technical services to research and resolve bug fixes, app maintenance and software and firmware updates. Research and Development services shall further look into the operational capability and feasibility in the context of next generation capability to ensure continued improvement.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract with Xi Systems Limited ("the Contractor").
It is considered that this Contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication of a contract notice pursuant to Article 28(1)(e) of Directive 2009/81/EC (Regulation 16(1)(c)) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011) for the provision of Research and Development services not excluded under the Regulation 7(1)(l) R&D Exclusion.
Xi Systems Limited successfully participated and won in a previous competitive tender process for the development of a Phase 1 prototype device. Through the contract previously placed for Phase 1, Xi Systems Limited own the IPR for TWiSTED and this contract now seeks to further develop the technology.
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
11 May 2023
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
XI Systems Limited
Somerset
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKK - South West (England)
Companies House
07423264
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: £1,000,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract with Xi Systems Limited ("the Contractor") to carry out TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3, which is a requirement to enhance the Phase 1 prototype to replace traditional magnetically operated changeover reed switches, often used as the main power control mechanism for a range of plastic enclosed operational equipment used in support to operations in challenging operational scenarios. Following a competitive tender process, the contractor has demonstrated that they have the necessary skills and expertise, knowledge and flexibility by successfully delivering a Phase 1 miniaturised solution in FY22/23.
The original contract with the Contractor has now been successfully completed. This proposed new contract will enable the Authority to ensure continued support of the Phase 1 system so that it can be exploited through rapid response tasks (RRTs) delivered through Dstl. Support will include technical assistance, bug fixes, app maintenance and small software and firmware updates. Additionally, Research and Development will commence on the next generation capability to ensure continued improvement and Phase 2 & 3 is intended to enhance the capability further by increasing its range and upgrading the power handling capability of the switch. The output of this work is up to Official Sensitive.
This notice is not a request for expressions of interest so please do not apply to be invited to tender. This notice advises that the Authority has decided to negotiate a contract with the named supplier on a single source basis, and is published for reasons of transparency. If you are interested in becoming a sub-contractor for this requirement, you should apply directly to the supplier named above.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Dstl
Salisbury
Country
United Kingdom