Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name, addresses and contact point(s)
Ministry of Defence
Space Delivery Team, Spruce 1C, MoD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
For the attention of
Kershaw Doug
Email(s)
Country
United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Address of the buyer profile
https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=55334
Electronic access to information
https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=55334
Electronic submission of tenders and requests to participate
https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=55334
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
Project OBERON
two.1.2) Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance
Supplies
Purchase
Main site or location of works, place of delivery or of performance
BRISTOL
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
two.1.5) Short description of the contract or purchase(s)
The OBERON mission is a Research and Development (R&D) space mission concept developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and owned by MOD/UK Space Command. The aim is to better understand how high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors can be used to support UK space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities.
The OBERON system will provide a day and night, all weather capable, space-based ISR capability in the form of active high-resolution SAR and, at a lower priority, passive Radio Frequency (RF) functionality. It is planned to consist of up to three satellites flying as a coherent cluster – providing freedom of action to conduct ISR activities and demonstrate an operational capability to defence forces. Each satellite will carry a primary SAR and, desirably, a secondary passive RF payload. OBERON will support the future ISR constellation under programme ISTARI.
Aims: The OBERON System shall allow the exploration of space based ISR capability advantages offered by a coherent cluster of SAR satellites (with additional passive RF collection). A high priority for the OBERON system is the ability to collect SAR data on an area of interest, specified by the User Group, and the subsequent production of a data product (with enhanced size, resolution, composition, and assurance). A second high priority for the system is its ability to perform R&D which will inform subsequent options analysis and future development.
OBERON System:
• Core Contract, constitutes an OBERON solution, envisioned as a coherent cluster of satellites equipped with an active SAR payload and, at a lower priority, passive RF functionality, that the Supplier shall operate. To deliver the system, a full end-to-end solution, with adequate pan-Defence Lines of Development (DLOD) coverage, is required including inter alia; design, development, manufacture, assembly, integration, test, launch, commissioning, operations, and eventual disposal.
• Options, constitutes the same OBERON solution from the Core Contract but with the system integrated with the elements of the ISTARI MOD ground architecture that are sufficiently mature to be utilised together. During this phase, operation of the OBERON solution will be by the Supplier until the ISTARI MOD ground architecture is capable of operating the solution. Integration between the OBERON solution and elements of ISTARI will occur within these phases with gradual, progressive functional transitions.
• Options, consists of an OBERON solution that is fully integrated with the MOD’s ISTARI ground architecture and is operated by the MOD.
The core contract length will be 36 months including launch, and first year of mission operations and support.
Further Contract Options will include mission operations, training, and support (per year) for a further 6 years and mission integration and implementation to the ground architecture, further details will be in the ITN.
The OBERON procurement will be run at OFFICIAL SENSITIVE up to and including SECRET. The potential provider must have the ability to process, store and transmit classified information at OFFICIAL SENSITIVE up to and including SECRET.
For further information on the ISTARI Programme, see “Defence Space Strategy: Operationalising the Space Domain”, UK Gov, Feb 22 , and “Press Release: UK cutting-edge space defence backed by £1.4 billion”, UK Gov, 1 Feb 22.
The Cyber Risk Level for this procurement is Low risk. The Risk Assessment Reference (RAR) is RAR-651356809
A full description of the Cyber Risk levels is available at DEFSTAN 05-138. Potential Providers should make themselves familiar with the requirements against the profile assessment for this risk Level
two.1.6) Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
- 34712200 - Satellites
Additional CPV code(s)
- 35631200 - Observation satellites
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: No
two.1.9) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: Yes
two.2) Quantity or scope of the contract
two.2.1) Total quantity or scope
Estimated value excluding VAT:
Range: between £60,000,000 and £70,000,000
two.2.2) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of these options: up to 6 one-year options to include mission operations, training, and support.
two.3) Duration of the contract or time limit for completion
Duration in months: 36 (from the award of the contract)
Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information
three.1) Conditions relating to the contract
three.1.4) Other particular conditions to which the performance of the contract is subject, in particular with regard to security of supply and security of information
See DPQQ
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: See PQQ
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: See PQQ
Criteria regarding the economic and financial standing of subcontractors (that may lead to their exclusion)
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: See PQQ
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: See 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: See PQQ
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: See 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: See PQQ
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: See PQQ
Section four: Procedure
four.1) Type of procedure
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated
four.1.2) Limitations on the number of operators who will be invited to tender or to participate
Envisaged number of operators: 4
four.1.3) Reduction of the number of operators during the negotiation or dialogue
Recourse to staged procedure to gradually reduce the number of solutions to be discussed or tenders to be negotiated: no
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
704678450
four.3.4) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
23 December 2022 - 5:00pm
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.