Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name, addresses and contact point(s)
Ministry of Defence
#1261 Spruce 2B, DE&S Abbey Wood, Filton
Bristol
BS34 8JH
Contact
Toby Love
For the attention of
Love Toby
Email(s)
Country
United Kingdom
Further information
Further information can be obtained from the above mentioned contact point(s)
one.2) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions
one.3) Main activity
Defence
one.4) Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities/entities
The contracting authority/entity is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities/entities:
No
Section two: Object
two.1) Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority/entity:
UAS Heavy Lift Challenge [UASHLC]
two.2) Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance
Services
Service category No 3: Defence services, military defence services and civil defence services
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
two.3) Information on framework agreement
The notice involves the establishment of a framework agreement: Yes
two.4) Short description of nature and scope of works or nature and quantity or value of supplies or services
In order to stimulate the 100kg lift Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) market, the Future Capability Group (FCG) and the Royal Navy Office of Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) delivered a programme called the Heavy Lift Challenge (HLC) in 2021/22 at Predannack Airfield, Cornwall. Two companies were funded to accelerate their platform capabilities towards a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of 200kg.
The Authority is now looking launch HLC Ph2 in order to broaden its investment in these 2 potential operational use cases that will intend to be as follows (but not limited to and not yet fully defined as):-
1. Intra-Theatre Lift:– entry 100kg; MVP 200kg; Stretch 300kg payload lift over entry 5nM; MVP 10nM; Stretch 50nM (nautical miles)
2. Inter-Theatre Lift:– entry 50kg; MVP 75kg; Stretch 125kg payload lift over entry 150nM; MVP 300nM; Stretch 550nM (nautical miles)
This notice is to invite industry who have mature systems in either of these 2 main areas to attend the HLC Ph2 Industry Engagement Day at i-Aero in Yeovil on the 5th July 2022 (timings TBD).
Industry attendance will be limited to 2 attendees per company. To register attendance for the industry day, provide names of attendees Via the Defence Sourcing Portal and at the time of submission, must confirm they have a system that meets either minimum entry criteria of payload lift of 100kg over 5nM OR 50kg over 150nM AND can fly in Aug 22 (location TBD). To do this, please supply a product data sheet. Deadline for confirmation of attendees by no later than 1200hrs on 1 Jul 22. You will be informed if we do not deem your product to be suitable for HLC Ph2.
The aim for this day is to engage the market on the forthcoming HLC Ph2 acceleration programme which will start in August 22. The following will be discussed:
1. The HLC financial opportunities for those who have systems and are able to show their capabilities in Aug 22
2. The HLC commercial framework and how it will be used to stimulate the market
3. Learning and Lessons from HLC Ph1
4. Networking and discussions
5. i-Aero and its intent for the southwest economy
i-Aero is Somerset Council’s purpose-built £2M UK Rotorcraft research, design and innovation facility in Yeovil.
All briefing material will be available after the industry day.
It is recommended you attend in person to be able to be fully engaged but a MS Teams option may be available.
two.5) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 73410000 - Military research and technology
two.7) Additional information
Please see PIN details:
https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=54295
Section six: Complementary information
six.1) Information about European Union funds
The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
six.2) Additional information
The Contracting Authority intends to use an e-Tendering system in this procurement exercise, please visit www.contracts.mod.uk for full details and to register your interest in this procurement.