Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
UK SPACE AGENCY
Polaris House,North Star Avenue
SWINDON
SN21SZ
commercial@ukspaceagency.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKK - South West (England)
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
Other activity
Space
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Provision of LauncherOne display
Reference number
UKSAC21_0012
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 60500000 - Space transport services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Supply of LauncherOne Rocket model to the UK for organised events and to support UK Space launch capability being developed from Cornwall Spaceport. The Contract includes all, transportation, & associated support activities for installation & removal.
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: £220,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK - South West (England)
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Supply of LauncherOne Rocket model to the UK for organised events and to support UK Space launch capability being developed in Cornwall. The Contract includes all, transportation, & associated support activities for installation & removal.
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
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason:
- absence of competition for technical reasons
Explanation:
In order to promote the investment in UK space during official conferences and events organised this year, there was a requirement to display the rocket that will be launched from Cornwall spaceport as part of a Government funded 'Launch UK' programme. Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne is the only launch vehicle that has received Government Grant funding and will launch from Cornwall spaceport. As such, they are the only provider that can provide the required display.
The applicable exemption regulation for this contract is PCR 2015 Regulation 32 Section 2 (b) (ii) 'competition is absent for technical reasons' as there is 'no reasonable alternative or substitute that exists and the absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of the parameters of the procurement'.
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
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
17 June 2021
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Virgin Orbit UK
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI - London
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £220,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £220,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
London
Country
United Kingdom