Defence Online

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom

MOD Prior Information Notice

GB-Salisbury: Heimdall

1. Contract Title
Contract Title: GB-Salisbury: Heimdall

2. Contracting Authority:
Ministry of Defence, DSTL, Defence Science & Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, SP4 0JQ, United Kingdom
Tel. 01980 951700, Email: FutureThreatProgramme@dstl.gov.uk
Attn: Future Threat Programme Team

3. Contract:
Contracting Authority’s file Reference number: R1000135328
Type of Contract: SERVICES
Estimated value of requirement: Category B1: 100M – 250M GBP
Short description of the contract: In order to maximise the impact of Science and Technology for the Defence and Security of the UK, Dstl’s role includes the responsibility for leading the formulation, design and delivery of a coherent and integrated MOD S&T programme using industrial, academic and government resources.

The Future Threat Understanding and Disruption Programme was initiated in 2017 to ensure that the UK understands the potential Defence and Security impact of emerging science and technology in order to reduce the chance of future ‘shocks’ and is prepared to respond to and counter future threats.

Emerging technologies can offer great benefit to Defence and Security but equally many challenges are faced from a world of rapid and fundamental change.

Assessing the Defence and Security implications posed by novel and emergent technologies can better prepare the UK defence and security communities to respond to and counter these threats.

The Programme conducts assessments of emerging challenges raised by:
• developments across the full spectrum of science and technology,
• policy,
• changing and emergent environments, and
• relevant social, legal and ethical opinion that could have a significant impact on UK defence and security.

This will reduce the likelihood of future technological ‘shocks’ and support the UK in maintaining freedom of action in the face of emerging threats to its capability. The programme works across UK Government, with key international allies and with partners from industry and academia.

It has been identified that there is a need to create a new contractual construct led by the Future Threat Understanding and Disruption Programme for research and technology solutions in order to prepare UK Defence and Security for an uncertain future.

The Heimdall construct aims to provide an agile (responsive) mechanism for Dstl to access industrial and academic expertise both within the UK and wider, in support of the Division’s S&T programmes, and potentially wider MOD and Partner Across Government organisations (PAGs).

Key programme activities
• Future Operating Environment
• Defence Strategic Environment
• Information Threat
• Disruptive Technologies
• Hostile Use of Automated and Autonomous Platforms
• Disruption of Emerging and Future Threats

Dstl requires an agile and flexible contract mechanism for the provision of research in the areas outlined above which can:
• Encourage innovation and novel approaches within the supply base
• Support collaborative working between suppliers and in some instance across commercial frameworks
• Facilitate capability development within the supply base
• Provide constructive challenge to requirements to add value

The construct should allow the supply base to be refreshed throughout the contract lifespan, ensuring that Dstl has access to innovative solutions and robust technical support. Such a construct will allow for the rapid response to emerging capability needs, Urgent Operational Requirements and surge requirements emanating from operations. The Authority in this context refers to MOD and its various agencies and Partners Across Government (PAG).

We are holding a Market Interest Day on the 28th November 2018 at the Williams Formula 1 Centre, Grove, Wantage, Oxford, OX12 0DQ for potential prime(s) and sub-contractors.

If you are interested in registering for the Market Interest Day please provide the following details to FutureThreatProgramme@dstl.gov.uk;
• First name (in full)
• Surname
• Rank/Grade/Title
• Organisation and position
• E-mail address
• Nationality

Please note that due to the size of the venue attendance is limited to two people per organisation and you will be required to bring photo ID with you. The data that you provide will be passed to the venue to ensure you are booked on to the site; it will not be shared with any third parties.
CPV codes:
73000000 – Research and development services and related consultancy services.

73100000 – Research and experimental development services.

73110000 – Research services.

Additional Information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.Suppliers interested in working with the Ministry of Defence should register on the MOD Supplier Information Database (SID) Register, available at www.contracts.mod.uk. The MOD SID is a database of active and potential suppliers available to all MOD and UK Defence procurement personnel, and is the main supplier database of MOD Procurement organisations. Please note: the registration and publication of a company profile on the MOD SID does not mean or imply that the supplier has in any way been vetted or approved by the MOD. Suppliers wishing to compete for advertised MOD contracts must respond to any specific call for competition by submitting a separate expression of interest in accordance with the instructions of the purchasing organisation.

From 2 April 2014 the Government is introducing its new Government Security Classifications Policy (GSC) to replace the current Government Protective Marking Scheme. A key aspect of this is the reduction in the number of security classifications used. All suppliers to the Department are encouraged to make themselves aware of the changes as it may impact on this Requirement. The link below to the Gov.uk website provides information on the new GSC.

The Authority reserves the right to amend any condition related to security of information to reflect any changes in national law or government policy. If any contract documents are accompanied by instructions on safeguarding classified information (e.g. a Security Aspects Letter), the Authority reserves the right to amend the terms of these instructions to reflect any changes in national law or government policy, whether in respect of the applicable protective marking scheme, specific protective markings given, the aspects to which any protective marking applies, or otherwise.

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