- Scope of the procurement
- Lot 1. Autonomous Platforms and Payload Integration
- Lot 2. Data Management and Fusion
- Lot 3. Machine Tasking and Decision Making
- Lot 4. System of System (SoS) Management, Integration and Implementation
- Lot 5. Comms Bearers, Network Architecture & Services
- Lot 6. Customer Advisory Network
Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name, addresses and contact point(s)
Ministry of Defence
Spruce 2b, MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
Contact
DES FCG Commercial
For the attention of
Day Alicia
Email(s)
Country
United Kingdom
Further information
Further information can be obtained from the above mentioned contact point(s)
Specifications and additional documents (including documents for competitive dialogue and a dynamic purchasing system) can be obtained from
The above-mentioned contact point(s)
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to
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 is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities:
No
Section two: Object of the contract
two.1) Description
two.1.1) Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority
Connectivity of Disparate Remote Autonomous Systems - Framework Re-opening No.1
two.1.2) 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
Main site or location of works, place of delivery or of performance
MOD Abbey Wood
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
two.1.3) Information on framework agreement
The notice involves the establishment of a framework agreement
two.1.4) Information on framework agreement
Framework agreement with several operators
Duration of the framework agreement
Duration in years: 4
Estimated total value of purchases for the entire duration of the framework agreement
Estimated value excluding VAT:
£60,000,000
two.1.5) Short description of the contract or purchase(s)
Connectivity of Disparate Remote Autonomous Systems - Framework Re-opening No.1
NB: Contract Number 701575556 'Connectivity of Disparate Remote Autonomous Systems' is already awarded to a number of Framework participants as a result of the original competition. The Authority is re-opening this multi-supplier Framework (known as the MDIS Project) as previously notified in the first Contract Notice and the Framework Terms and Conditions, using the same process, criteria, terms and conditions as per the original competition. This is intended to be repeated on a twice-yearly basis and those companies already participating in the existing Framework (Reference 701575556) are not required to re-apply. For administrative purposes this is done via a new DSP Project reference but any new entrants successfully passing the PQQ and being successful at the subsequent Invitation to Tender will effectively be awarded a place under the existing Framework 701575556. This new Contract Notice is seeking new applicants only, and they must respond to the attached Pre-Qualification Questionnaire, and if successful, they must then respond to an Invitation to Tender when this is subsequently released. If successful at the ITT stage they will be awarded a Framework place. As with all Frameworks there remains no guarantee of tasking opportunities or any level of throughput.
The Authority has a developing requirement for the creation or adoption of a set of common standards and/or architecture for interfaces, data transfer and data management that can be used both for upgrades to legacy systems and future procurement to enable swift and simple interoperation of systems.
It is expected that the work will involve experimentation and demonstrations of multi-domain integrated systems which may include autonomous and swarming technologies. The aims are broad and inclusive, and the Authority is seeking engagement from all areas of the industrial marketplace with relevant contributions to make.
This requirement is considered to be particularly suitable for SMEs. The contractual mechanism will be a multi-supplier framework, with designated Lots for each technical specialism as well as Lots for more general supporting services, as described in this CN. Potential bidders are invited to register their interest in receiving an Invitation to Tender to join the framework by first completing the associated Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ).
The Authority intends to invite all eligible companies who pass the PQQ to tender for the Framework. Note that while there is no down-selection to any specific numbers of bidders at this stage, only companies who can demonstrate relevance to the subject matter of the Lots within the Framework through their previous or existing portfolio of work (of which examples are requested via the PQQ) will pass the PQQ and be considered eligible to receive an Invitation to Tender at the next stage of the competition. Potential bidders may bid to join a single Lot or multiple Lots.
As with any framework, whilst there can be no guarantee of any particular quantity of work being put through it, the Authority intends to conduct further mini-competitions to select successful framework contractors or collaborative teams of framework contractors within individual Lots or across a number of Lots in any combination, and expects that the work will be conducted progressively in spirals giving ongoing opportunities to many of the framework participants.
The Lots will include, but may not be limited to, the following subject matter themes:
Autonomous Platforms and Payload Integration
Data Management and Fusion
Machine Tasking and Decision Making
System of System (SoS) Management, Integration and Implementation
Comms Bearers, Network Architecture & Services
Customer Advisory Network (may include but not be limited to sub-Lots eg Customer Friend (independent advisory role, NB: this Sub-Lot 6.2 role is filled and is not re-opening at this time), assurance, operationalisation, third party security testing, testing and evaluation).
The Authority expects that few single suppliers will be capable of taking on the breadth and scope of each piece of work and therefore collaboration will be required between suppliers in a competitive environment (collaborative team bids will be encouraged for mini-competitions). There will be no prime contractor.
A Community of Interest for all framework participants will be established through which Working Groups will be held, led by the Authority, to analyse and propose next steps or further specific areas of interest under the Lotted themes. All framework participants will be required to contribute to the Working Groups according to their specialism. Feedback from the WG will be given to the Community of Interest (subject to security considerations). Intellectual Property generated under the framework taskings and its Community of Interest will be owned by the Authority under DEFCON 703.
The Authority must ensure that where access is required to classified information in the course of any tasking or Working Group activity, then this access will only be granted to framework participants with suitable security clearance in place at the time a task is raised. Whilst a particular level of security clearance is not essential for initial entry to the framework following the Invitation to Tender process, the Authority reserves the right to refuse inclusion of any framework participant who does not possess the required clearance level at the time a mini-competition for a task is initiated or a classified Working Group is scheduled.
two.1.6) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 73410000 - Military research and technology
two.1.7) Information about subcontracting
The tenderer has to indicate in the tender any share of the contract it may intend to subcontract to third parties and any proposed subcontractor, as well as the subject-matter of the subcontracts for which they are proposed
The tenderer has to indicate any change occurring at the level of subcontractors during the execution of the contract
two.1.8) Lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Tenders may be submitted for one or more lots
two.1.9) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: No
two.2) Quantity or scope of the contract
two.2.2) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of these options: Years 2, 3 and 4 of the Framework may be subject to Options.
two.2.3) Information about renewals
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
two.3) Duration of the contract or time limit for completion
Duration in months: 48 (from the award of the contract)
Information about lots
Lot No
1
Lot title
Autonomous Platforms and Payload Integration
2) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 73410000 - Military research and technology
3) Quantity or scope
Scope to be defined
Estimated value excluding VAT
£1
5) Additional information about lots
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.
Lot No
2
Lot title
Data Management and Fusion
2) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 73410000 - Military research and technology
Estimated value excluding VAT
£1
5) Additional information about lots
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.
Lot No
3
Lot title
Machine Tasking and Decision Making
2) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 73410000 - Military research and technology
Estimated value excluding VAT
£1
5) Additional information about lots
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.
Lot No
4
Lot title
System of System (SoS) Management, Integration and Implementation
2) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 73410000 - Military research and technology
5) Additional information about lots
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.
Lot No
5
Lot title
Comms Bearers, Network Architecture & Services
2) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 73410000 - Military research and technology
Estimated value excluding VAT
£1
5) Additional information about lots
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.
Lot No
6
Lot title
Customer Advisory Network
1) Short description
May include but not be limited to: sub Lots eg Customer Friend (independent advisory role, NB the Sub-Lot 6.2 role is filled and will not re-open at this time), assurance, operationalisation, third party security testing, testing and evaluation.
2) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 73410000 - Military research and technology
Estimated value excluding VAT
£1
5) Additional information about lots
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.
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.2) Conditions for participation
three.2.1) Personal situation
Criteria regarding the personal situation of economic operators (that may lead to their exclusion) including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Suppliers Instructions How to Express Interest in this Tender:
1. Register your company on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once)
- Browse to the eSourcing Portal
- Click the “Click here to register” link
- Accept the terms and conditions and click “continue”
- Enter your correct business and user details
- Note the username you chose and click “Save” when complete
- You will shortly receive an email with your unique password (please keep this secure)
2. Express an Interest in the tender
- Login to the portal with the username/password
- Click the "PQQs Open to All Suppliers" link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires open to any registered supplier)
- Click on the relevant PQQ to access the content.
- Click the “Express Interest” button in the “Actions” box on the left-hand side of the page.
- This will move the PQQ into your “My PQQs” page. (This is a secure area reserved for your projects only)
- Click on the PQQ code, you can now access any attachments by clicking the “Settings and Buyer Attachments” in the “Actions” box
3. Responding to the tender
- You can now choose to “Reply” or “Reject” (please give a reason if rejecting)
- You can now use the ‘Messages’ function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification
- Note the deadline for completion, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ
- There may be a mixture of online & offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available)
If you require any further assistance please consult the online help, or contact the eTendering help desk.
Criteria regarding the personal situation of subcontractors (that may lead to their rejection) including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: Suppliers Instructions How to Express Interest in this Tender:
1. Register your company on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once)
- Browse to the eSourcing Portal
- Click the “Click here to register” link
- Accept the terms and conditions and click “continue”
- Enter your correct business and user details
- Note the username you chose and click “Save” when complete
- You will shortly receive an email with your unique password (please keep this secure)
2. Express an Interest in the tender
- Login to the portal with the username/password
- Click the "PQQs Open to All Suppliers" link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires open to any registered supplier)
- Click on the relevant PQQ to access the content.
- Click the “Express Interest” button in the “Actions” box on the left-hand side of the page.
- This will move the PQQ into your “My PQQs” page. (This is a secure area reserved for your projects only)
- Click on the PQQ code, you can now access any attachments by clicking the “Settings and Buyer Attachments” in the “Actions” box
3. Responding to the tender
- You can now choose to “Reply” or “Reject” (please give a reason if rejecting)
- You can now use the ‘Messages’ function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification
- Note the deadline for completion, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ
- There may be a mixture of online & offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available)
If you require any further assistance please consult the online help, or contact the eTendering help desk.
three.2.2) Economic and financial ability
Criteria regarding the economic and financial standing of economic operators (that may lead to their exclusion)
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: As per PQQ
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: As per PQQ
three.2.3) Technical and/or professional capacity
Criteria regarding the technical and/or professional ability of economic operators (that may lead to their exclusion)
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: As per PQQ
Criteria regarding the technical and/or professional ability of subcontractors (that may lead to their rejection)
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: As per PQQ
Section four: Procedure
four.1) Type of procedure
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Restricted
four.1.2) Limitations on the number of operators who will be invited to tender or to participate
Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates: Examples of relevant previous or existing portfolio of work as requested in the PQQ
four.2) Award criteria
four.2.1) Award criteria
the criteria stated in the specifications, in the invitation to tender or to negotiate or in the descriptive document
four.2.2) Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction has been used: no
four.3) Administrative information
four.3.1) File reference number attributed by the contracting authority
701575556 refers to the original competition for the Framework 'Connectivity of Disparate Remote Autonomous Systems'.
The Defence Sourcing Portal requires a new 'Project' to be set up for re-opening existing Frameworks; the number for this new Project is 704438453 and may only be used for administrative purposes.
four.3.2) Previous publication(s) concerning the same contract
Notice number: 2021/S 000-018512
four.3.4) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
8 August 2022 - 11:59pm
four.3.6) Language(s) in which tenders or requests to participate may be drawn up
English
Section six: Complementary information
six.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: No
six.2) Information about European Union funds
The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
six.3) 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.