Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Defence Equipment & Supplies (MOD)
Bristol
Contact
Rodney Gardiner
Telephone
+44 7815019118
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
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
VIRTUS Re-Compete
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 18143000 - Protective gear
two.1.3) Type of contract
Supplies
two.1.4) Short description
The VIRTUS soldier system is a comprehensive system of integrated combat and protective gear developed by Source to cope with the challenges and needs of the modern infantry soldier in today's battlefield. It is the world's first integrated load carriage and protection system.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: Yes
Maximum number of lots that may be awarded to one tenderer: 2
The contracting authority reserves the right to award contracts combining the following lots or groups of lots:
Torso Sub System
Head Sub System
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Torso Sub System
Lot No
1
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 18143000 - Protective gear
- 18931100 - Rucksacks
- 18934000 - Kitbags
- 18936000 - Textile bags
- 33735100 - Protective goggles
- 35113400 - Protective and safety clothing
- 35811300 - Military uniforms
- 35812200 - Combat suits
- 35812300 - Combat gear
- 35813100 - Helmet covers
- 35815100 - Bullet-proof vests
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Virtus Torso Sub System - This will be a Build To Print solution with Technical Data Packs provided by the Authority.
two.2.14) Additional information
Contract will be for 5 years + 5 x 1 Year Options
Estimated Value is between £62,000,000 and £210,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.1) Title
Head Sub System
Lot No
2
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 18143000 - Protective gear
- 18444110 - Helmets
- 33735100 - Protective goggles
- 35812200 - Combat suits
- 35812300 - Combat gear
- 35813100 - Helmet covers
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Head Sub System - This will be a requirements based specification provided by the Authority.
two.2.14) Additional information
Contract will be for 5 years + 5 x 1 Year Options
Estimated Value is between £41,600,000 and £140,000,000
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
28 April 2023
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.3) Additional information
On the 20 October 21 the Authority issued a notice of cancellation for the DPQQ for both the Torso Sub-System (TSS) lot and Head Sub-System (HSS) lot for VIRTUS.
Since this date, the Authority has been developing both the project and competition and we are now happy to be able to provide a short update.
The Authority estimates that a new Contract Notice will be published in April 2023, launching a competition with an initial DPQQ followed by an ITN issue estimated in July 2023. Note. Dates are subject to change as the project continues to develop and as the team manage the wider portfolio workload and departmental priorities.
The concept as this stage is for the ITN to be designed around two lots: the Torso Sub-System (TSS) being Specification based i.e. built to print, and the Head Sub-System (HSS) based on a Requirements set.
The Project Team will be conducting further market engagement at DVD, UTAC Millbrook, from the 21-22 September 2022 and invites all bidder enquiries for a meeting. Arrangements are to be directed to Rodney Gardiner.
Note. There will be limited availability for appointments, but post event meetings will be made available.
Should you have any queries regarding the content of this letter, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for all your work to date on Project VIRTUS.