Future opportunity

Next Generation Digital Twin Design & Build– LongOps Work Package 3.2.3

  • United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

F01: Prior information notice (reducing time limits for receipt of tenders)

Notice reference: 2021/S 000-021675

Published 1 September 2021, 5:08pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority

Culham Science Centre

Abingdon

OX14 3DB

Contact

Abigail Woods

Email

abigail.woods@ukaea.uk

Telephone

+44 1235467082

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKJ14 - Oxfordshire

National registration number

N/A

Internet address(es)

Main address

http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority

Buyer's address

https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/72814

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=39433&B=UK

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=39433&B=UK

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Other activity

Fusion Research


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Next Generation Digital Twin Design & Build– LongOps Work Package 3.2.3

Reference number

T/PJP163/21

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 48000000 - Software package and information systems

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

This PIN signals UKAEA’s intent to procure designs and prototypes for a Next-Generation DMU. The phrase “Next-Generation” is used to distinguish this conceptual system from the current generation of available systems but does not at this stage imply any specific extension of functionality. UKAEA has carried out an initial requirements-gathering phase. However, some of these requirements have been captured based on early assumptions about use cases or end user needs which are not expected to be final.

For the avoidance of doubt: UKAEA is not interested in procuring a bespoke DMU system coupled to any one use-case. The aim is to develop the basis of a generic platform that can be iterated, extended, and repurposed for years to come. This is what is referred to as the NG-DMU.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £600,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 48000000 - Software package and information systems
  • 72230000 - Custom software development services
  • 72262000 - Software development services
  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKJ14 - Oxfordshire
Main site or place of performance

Culham

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

This PIN signals UKAEA’s intent to procure designs and prototypes for a Next-Generation DMU. The phrase “Next-Generation” is used to distinguish this conceptual system from the current generation of available systems but does not at this stage imply any specific extension of functionality. UKAEA has carried out an initial requirements-gathering phase. However, some of these requirements have been captured based on early assumptions about use cases or end user needs which are not expected to be final.

The aim of this procurement is to start addressing some of the goals through research & development. UKAEA is not intending to deliver a fully featured, production-grade system to all end users by the end of this project. Instead, the aim is to start mitigating these challenges in collaboration with industry, to strengthen the supply chain and ultimately lay the groundwork for these long-term use cases. The key purpose of these prototypes will be for UKAEA and other partners in the LongOps programme to learn more about these challenges, and how well this technology can be applied to the different LongOps use cases.

For the avoidance of doubt: UKAEA is not interested in procuring a bespoke DMU system coupled to any one use-case. The aim is to develop the basis of a generic platform that can be iterated, extended, and repurposed for years to come. This is what is referred to as the NG-DMU.

It is expected that individual components of the NG-DMU will already be available as COTS products. The use of those products is encouraged where appropriate, but some level of integration with other parts of the system, external systems, or data sources is expected to be necessary. The design and implementation of that integration, in a manner that allows future extension or replacement of components, is a key focus of the project

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £600,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start date

15 November 2021

End date

18 February 2024

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

1 October 2021


Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

List and brief description of conditions

Refer to Procurement Documents for information.

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

List and brief description of selection criteria

Refer to Procurement Documents for information.

Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required

Refer to Procurement Documents for information.

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

List and brief description of selection criteria

Refer to Procurement Documents for information.

Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required

Refer to Procurement Documents for information.

three.2) Conditions related to the contract

three.2.2) Contract performance conditions

Refer to Procurement Documents for information.


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Culham Science Centre

Abingdon

OX14 3DB

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority

six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Culham Science Centre

Abingdon

OX14 3DB

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

VI.4.2)Body responsible for mediation procedures

VI.4.3)Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:

The authority will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers.

This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to seek further debriefing from the authority before a contract is entered into applicants have 2 working days from the notification of the award decision to request. Additional debriefing and that information have to be provided within a minimum of 3 working days before the expiry of the standstill period. Such additional information should be sought from the contact named in this notice.

If an appeal regarding the award of a contract has not been successfully resolved, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 No. 102) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).

Any such action must be brought promptly.

(generally within 3 months).

six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Culham Science Centre

Abingdon

OX14 3DB

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority