Award

640000.00

  • Ministry of Defence - Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-021888

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03eb00

Published 27 July 2023, 4:20pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

Ministry of Defence - Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Salisbury

Email

eblandford@dstl.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

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

640000.00

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

To support the management of the RBATE project Dstl intend to establish an industry support task that will provide Dstl improved collaboration with industry and additional capacity to fulfil roles by the use of Theme Champions.

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: £640,000

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The activity will be a role to support research outcomes that will enable MOD to develop new HF communications capabilities in all natural or modified operational scenarios (i.e. maritime, land, air and space). Outputs from the HF Theme Champions will be literature review reports, HF Standards review, and the definition of HF research strategy plans, HF demonstration concepts, novel use cases and engagement plans.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Criterion: Proposal strongly indicates that it has addressed all of the outlined technical requirements within one or more challenge areas and added additional requirements where requested. 25

Criterion: Proposal demonstrates through the provision of evidence that the Contractor is experienced in the design and delivery of HF projects for UK MOD. 20

Criterion: Contractor demonstrates that they have significant understanding or experience of the technical and operational challenges encountered in the High Frequency radio communications domain. 15

Criterion: The bidder identifies key individual(s) who will lead the delivery of the proposed work and provide evidence of their competency. 10

Criterion: Proposal indicates that the Contractor takes a flexible approach and is keen to help Dstl shape its requirement and provide the best possible solutions to achieve the desired outcomes. 10

Criterion: Proposal indicates and provides evidence that the Contractor has the necessary resources and assets to successfully undertake the work packages stated within the SOR within the stated timescales. 20

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

This contract must have the ability to renew every year for at least the next 5 years.

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

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


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Negotiated procedure without publication of a contract notice

  • No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to negotiated procedure with prior publication of a contract notice
  • The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development
  • 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:

It is considered that this contract can be awarded using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice, pursuant to Regulation 16(1) (a) (ii) of the UK Defence and Security Public Contract Regulations 2011 for the following Technical Reasons.

Technical Reasons:

The Authority has tested the market, through competition, under a Dstl Framework within the last three years and it is proposed to contract directly with the SME (Babcock), as the SME holds unique skill set over the last 25 years and is the only SME that has long term experience in delivering HF research and capabilities into the MOD. He is the Chief Architect for international partners. Dstl require an individual experience in delivering within UK MOD HF infrastructure projects which provide strategic HF BLOS communication. Babcock covers a wealth of experience dealing with NATO Beyond Line of Sight Capability Team for HF alongside UK Defence Strategic Radio Services. Babcock’s insights and connections will be key for RBATE to deliver the goals mandated by DST.

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

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No


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

27 July 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

Babcock Integrated Technology Limited

Plymouth

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code
  • UK - United Kingdom
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: £640,000

five.2.5) Information about subcontracting

The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted


Section six. Complementary information

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

Salisbury

Country

United Kingdom