Award

G-Alfea Sonobuoys

  • Ministry of Defence

F15: Voluntary ex ante transparency notice

Notice identifier: 2022/S 000-025167

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0366bf

Published 7 September 2022, 6:53pm



Section one: Contracting authority/entity

one.1) Name and addresses

Ministry of Defence

Portsmouth

Email

Tsz.Liu100@mod.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://contracts.mod.uk

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

G-Alfea Sonobuoys

Reference number

702508452

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 34515100 - Marker buoys

two.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

two.1.4) Short description

The Royal Navy, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to award a contract to Ultra Electronics Ltd for the purchase, modification, calibration and testing of 2 off G-ALFEA sonobuoys. The contract will have a term of 9 months. It is considered that this contract can be awarded using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice pursuant to Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Article 32(2)(b)(ii)) for technical reasons. This is because Ultra Electronics Ltd sonobuoys are required for technical reasons and interoperability, as the existing systems have been provided by Ultras Electronics Ltd. Ultra Electronics Ltd represents the UK on the NATO NIAG SG90 Sonobuoy Digital Telemetry panel. These factors and their understanding of technology arising from the previous R&D contracts associated with the sonobuoy project within the Underwater Systems research programme all factor into the technical and interoperability justification. Ultra Electronics Ltd have also been awarded a contract by DE&S for a through life sonobuoys contract for RN and RAF. While this is a separate requirement with R&D elements, interoperability is key and the sonobuoys tested must be Ultra to ensure technical compatibility in the information gathered in the testing phase with both the NATO panel and the DE&S sonobuoy contract. Only Ultra Electronics Ltd have the technical information and knowledge required and no other contractor would have access to this information.

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: £491,700

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 63724310 - Buoy marking services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The Royal Navy, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to award a contract to Ultra Electronics Ltd for the purchase, modification, calibration and testing of 2 off G-ALFEA sonobuoys. The contract will have a term of 9 months. It is considered that this contract can be awarded using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice pursuant to Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Article 32(2)(b)(ii)) for technical reasons. This is because Ultra Electronics Ltd sonobuoys are required for technical reasons and interoperability, as the existing systems have been provided by Ultras Electronics Ltd. Ultra Electronics Ltd represents the UK on the NATO NIAG SG90 Sonobuoy Digital Telemetry panel. These factors and their understanding of technology arising from the previous R&D contracts associated with the sonobuoy project within the Underwater Systems research programme all factor into the technical and interoperability justification. Ultra Electronics Ltd have also been awarded a contract by DE&S for a through life sonobuoys contract for RN and RAF. While this is a separate requirement with R&D elements, interoperability is key and the sonobuoys tested must be Ultra to ensure technical compatibility in the information gathered in the testing phase with both the NATO panel and the DE&S sonobuoy contract. Only Ultra Electronics Ltd have the technical information and knowledge required and no other contractor would have access to this information.

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: No

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 without a prior call for competition

  • 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:

The Royal Navy, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to award a contract to Ultra Electronics Ltd for the purchase, modification, calibration and testing of 2 off G-ALFEA sonobuoys. The contract will have a term of 9 months. It is considered that this contract can be awarded using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice pursuant to Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Article 32(2)(b)(ii)) for technical reasons. This is because Ultra Electronics Ltd sonobuoys are required for technical reasons and interoperability, as the existing systems have been provided by Ultras Electronics Ltd. Ultra Electronics Ltd represents the UK on the NATO NIAG SG90 Sonobuoy Digital Telemetry panel. These factors and their understanding of technology arising from the previous R&D contracts associated with the sonobuoy project within the Underwater Systems research programme all factor into the technical and interoperability justification. Ultra Electronics Ltd have also been awarded a contract by DE&S for a through life sonobuoys contract for RN and RAF. While this is a separate requirement with R&D elements, interoperability is key and the sonobuoys tested must be Ultra to ensure technical compatibility in the information gathered in the testing phase with both the NATO panel and the DE&S sonobuoy contract. Only Ultra Electronics Ltd have the technical information and knowledge required and no other contractor would have access to this information.

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

Contract No

702508452

Title

G-Alfea Sonobuoys

A contract/lot is awarded: Yes

five.2) Award of contract/concession

five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract

7 September 2022

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

Ultra Electronics Limited

London

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: £491,700

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

Ministry of Defence

Portsmouth

Country

United Kingdom