Defence Online

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom

Notice Type:MOD Contract Notice

GB-London: Chimera Support Activies and Threat Modelling, Simulation, Integration Activities
Region Codes: UKI

Section I: Contract Title
1. Contract Title: GB-London: Chimera Support Activies and Threat Modelling, Simulation, Integration Activities
2. Section (DIO only):

Section II: Identification Numbers
1. MOD Contract Notice Nr: 700006383

Section III: Relevant Dates
1. Deadline for Expression of Interest: 31/05/2019
2. Proposed/Estimated ITT Issue Date: 11/06/2019
3. Proposed/Estimated ITT Return Date: 28/06/2019
4. Proposed Issue Date of Contract: 16/07/2019
5. Proposed Completion Date of Contract: 31/07/2022

Section IV: Issuing Branch / Organisation Details
1. Notice Address
Ministry of Defence, C&C, Other
Floor 6, Zone D, Desk 01, MOD Main Building, Horse Guards Avenue, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB, United Kingdom
Tel. 02072183915, Email: ian.allpress910@mod.gov.uk
Attn: Ian Allpress

Section V: Product / Service Descriptor Code
1. Industry Codes:
71356300 – Technical support services.

Section VI: Summary of Requirements / Description of Work, Goods and Services
1. Summary of Requirements / Description of Work: Technical support services. The sensitivity of the material from which this work is drawn dictates that it must be completed by an individual or individuals capable of working on material classified higher than Secret. Bids are welcome from a Company or Companies interested in supporting either or both initiatives.

1) CHIMERA Support Activities
CHIMERA is the means for the rapid, collaborative development of credible representations of systems of interest capable of running in real time whilst producing and consuming real signals, and which can consequently be used in all stages of system design, development, test, and training.
CHIMERA operates through a mutually-supportive framework, executed by an international collaborative community. It is progressing from its research phase towards its standard working condition (anticipated to be fully established in the three to five-year timeframe); as such, activities in support of the UK and international effort are fluid and a flexible approach is needed.
The Authority requires industry support to deliver the CHIMERA vision, including continuance of a strong support service which acts across multiple engineering disciplines.
Requirement
The Service must provide flexible and responsive technical support for the Authority’s real-time Modelling and Simulation programme. Anticipated activities fall into the following categories:
• Work Package 1: Modelling Support
• Work Package 2: Hardware Integration Support
• Work Package 3: Support to the CHIMERA Enterprise
• Work Package 4: Support to CHIMERA-Related Programmes
Location
The sensitivity of the material from which this work will be drawn dictates that work must be completed predominantly within Dstl – Porton Down (Salisbury Wiltshire) by suitably cleared personnel. Occasional visits to MoD Main Building or Chimera partner locations will be necessary.
Clearances
As a minimum the Service Provider will need to supply individuals capable of holding UK SC; preferably the individuals will hold UK DV (or be capable of achieving a DV during the contract should it be required).
Immediacy
As this requirement is in support of an active programme, the Service must be capable of conducting work across all described activities with minimal loss of productivity on taking on the contract.
Proposed Support Level
As noted, the project requires a flexible approach to manpower provision. Owing to the skill sets required, and taken from experience since project inception, proposed man-day support is up to 880 days per year; however, it must be noted that this is a maximum and that a minimum provision cannot be expressed at this time (may be clearer for Years two and / or three).
Up-front T&S costs should be included within the firm price; additional T&S such as travel to support international workshops if so requested by the Authority will be claimable separately.
—————————————————————————————————————————
WP1: Modelling Support
The Service shall provide flexible and responsive technical support regarding modelling activities; anticipated activities may include but not be limited to:
1. Definition and production of real-time representations of systems of interest in accordance with CHIMERA practices.
2. Test (including evaluation, verification and validation) of real-time representations of systems of interest against expected functionality and performance metrics.
3. Verification and integration of components produced by other suppliers.
4. Definition, production and verification of mission data.
5. Support to users and suppliers regarding modelling / model usage; coordinate development of best practice.
Current software includes:
• Xilinx Vivado Design Suite.
• Xilinx ISE.
• Mathworks Matlab.
• Mathworks Simulink (including HDL coder toolbox).
• Edison Toolset.
• Zynq Test Framework.
• Aeroflex.
• Networking and data transfer protocols.
• C / C++ / Python / Java / Linux.
• GIT Distributed Version Control System.
• CHIMERA Enterprise Server (Atlassian Confluence, JIRA and Bitbucket).
The list of software is not exhaustive; other programs, applications and simulations, including bespoke packages, will be used by the Authority within the period of this contract. The Service may be requested to design and / or produce supplemental or replacement bespoke CHIMERA toolsets (e.g. Edison / Zynq Test Framework auto-test harnesses).
Current hardware includes:
• Xilinx ZC706 FPGA.
• Xilinx VC707 FPGA.
• Xilinx Ultrascale FPGA.
• Xilinx RF System on a chip (RFSoC).
• RF up / down converters.
• ADCs / DACs.
• Filters, power supplies, amplifiers, noise generators.
• Networking and data transfer bridges.
• Standard laboratory equipment including oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers, signal generators and VSAs.
The list of hardware is not exhaustive; other hardware, including bespoke systems, will be used by the Authority within the period of this contract. The Service may be requested to design and / or produce supplemental or replacement bespoke CHIMERA hardware interfaces.

WP2: Hardware Integration Support
The Service shall provide flexible and responsive technical support regarding hardware integration of CHIMERA products into host systems and environments; anticipated activities may include but not be limited to:
1. Provide hardware system design support for integration of real-time models into host systems in accordance with CHIMERA use cases and covering:
a. At IF.
b. At RF.
c. Direct Signal Injection.
d. Free space.
e. Other flight / operational hardware.
2. Provide support to development and execution of Integrated Test Evaluation and Acceptance Planning for real-time models within host systems, such as RF laboratories, RF chambers and airborne pods.
3. Provide support for the design and acceptance of future hardware solutions for multi-model carriage and flight trials.

WP3: Support to the CHIMERA Enterprise
The Service shall provide support to the CHIMERA Enterprise under direction of UK and International Steering Groups, to the extent directed by the Authority; anticipated activities may include but not be limited to:
1. Undertake some or all of the potential functions of the Enterprise Engineering Team (exact structure is under development) as shown in Table 1.
2. Provide support to national and CHIMERA international workshops.
3. Provide support to the design, layout and population of the Authority chosen Mutual Support Framework solution (potentially using CFBL Net) including:
a. Access to CHIMERA Framework Document Set.
b. Initial Component Library and associated catalogue descriptions / download mechanism.
c. Wiki structure for sharing of best practice.

WP4: Support to CHIMERA-Related Programmes
Provide engineering management and support as required by the Authority in support of activities to integrate output from the CHIMERA project and related programmes, which may include but not be limited to:
• TMAP models.
• XCALIBUR.
• ITASE.
• CERBERUS.
• DOTC / ASDOT solutions.
• UK MOD Facilities Upgrades.

 
Table 1 – Potential Enterprise Engineering Team Functions
Item
Framework Documentation Set Maintenance
Detail
Control update and distribution of framework documents

Item
Strategic Requirement & Documentation Review
Detail
Technical assessment and approval of high-level requirement documents

Item
Quality Management
Detail
Quality standards and independent assessment

Item
Input to Product Acceptance
Detail
Review to accept claimed Development Level

Item
Separation of Models and Component Library
Detail
Provide gateway function for acceptance of components into the Component Library

Item
Collation of Pan-Community Best Practice, Knowledge and Experience
Detail
In conjunction with the Authority’s chosen Mutual Support Framework solution

Item
Provision of Advice
Detail
Standing up teams, scheduling, requirements, design, development, integration, test

Item
Supplier Management / input to Steering Committee for PD / Supplier prioritisation
Detail
Engineering Team may be best placed to understand skill-sets, current loading, priorities etc

Item
Hardware horizon scanning / roadmap
Detail
Continuous evaluation for future paths and impact on existing models

Item
Software and tooling horizon scanning / roadmap
Detail
Continuous evaluation for future paths and impact on existing models

Item
Change Control
Detail
In conjunction with the Authority’s chosen Mutual Support Framework solution

Item
Configuration Management
Detail
In conjunction with the Authority’s chosen Mutual Support Framework solution

Item
Storage
Detail
In conjunction with the Authority’s chosen Mutual Support Framework solution

Item
Distribution
Detail
In conjunction with the Authority’s chosen Mutual Support Framework solution

2) Modelling and Simulation and Integration Activities

Current software includes

PERF (Fixed Wing Performance Assessment GUI – Visual Basic)
SPIRAL (Propeller Performance Analysis – Delphi Windows Application)
MPPERER (Fixed Wing Aircraft Point and Mission Analysis – FORTRAN)
APOSTL (Fixed Wing Take Off and Landing Derivation – FORTRAN)
AETOEST (Fixed Wing Aircraft Point and Mission Analysis – Fortran)
TECPLOT (COTS Graphical Output Manipulation)
GSP (COTS Gas Turbine Simulation Program)
AUTOMOD TOOLSET (MATLAB-Simulink)
SIGNATURE Server
METLIN (MATLAB Simulink)
M2M (MERLIN to MMPERERER – MATLAB)
MS Visual Studio
CORE (Cyber Operations Research Environment)
ITASE (Integrated Threat Analysis Simulation Environment)
COGS (Common GUI in Simulink)
XCALIBUR (Air & Space Branch’s simulation architecture)

Threat Modelling and Analysis Program (TMAP) Blocksets

HERCULES/HYDRA/ARGO/SIMIAN/CYCLOPS/ARTEMIS/ZETES/CHIRON/CERBERUS/EDISON JEOPARDY TOOLSET (MATLAB-Simulink)

The service must be capable of conducting work with these packages with minimal loss of productivity on taking on the contract.

This list of software is not exhaustive; other programs, application and simulations will be used by the authority within the period of this contract.

The service must:

a. Provide flexible and responsive technical support for the authority’s performance Modelling and Simulation software as directed by the Project Manager. It must provide:

• user support and training
• the ability to customise the software to meet specific requirements
• scrutiny of new programmes, application and simulation to determine their worth and potential utilisation by the Modelling Group
• the ability to develop bespoke software applications

b. Provide the ability to create and manipulate aero-engine models within GSP and dynamic representations of high performance aircraft and air systems within MATLAB-Simulink as directed by the Project Manager: It must provide the ability to:

• Create all models in conformance with TMAP principles.
• Develop and exercise military aero-engine models, turbojets and turbofans for fast jet, transport and UAVs, turboshafts for both helicopters and propeller driven aircraft.

o Experience is required of creating appropriate aero-engine schedules, propeller maps, and performance matching.
o Aero-engine technical advice must be provided on an adhoc basis.
o Up to two aero engine models annually must be provided

Develop dynamic representation of aircraft and air systems and export MATLAB-Simulink models into non-MATLAB based simulations, including bespoke input / output interfaces.

c. Provide model integration, evaluation and verification as directed by the Project Manager:

The service must quickly develop familiarity with Threat Modelling and Analysis Program (TMAP) airborne sensor and system models (for example JEOPARDY, SIMIAN, CYCLOPS, CERBERUS and ARTEMIS) and their response to target signatures, environments and pilot controls.

The service must provide a service to integrate several models to create integrated weapon systems (IWS) models. (Integration work will involve models including aircraft, pilot, missiles, sensors, environment, fire control and countermeasures and may include other systems yet to be defined).

The service provider must carry out model verification against expected functionality and performance metrics.

The service provider must carry out model evaluation against prescribed scenarios for the generation of threat assessments and subsequent electronic protection measures and tactics.

Deliverables will include Verification and Validation reports confirming correct model performance and functionality in accordance with TMAP standards.

The proposed Manday support is 588 each year (not including support to CHIMERA also considered to be 588 each year). Routine travel and subsistence costs should be included within the firm price. It is estimated as a minimum that there is a requirement for at least one manday a week to be spent in MoD Main Building (London) as directed by the designated office in charge (DI CA-AandS Tech MIP1)
2. Main Place of Performance or Delivery: LONDON
3. Can a supplier bid alone for only a part of the contract?: Yes
Section VII: Reverse Auction
1. Reverse Auction: Yes. A Reverse Auction, conducted using electronic means, may be used as part of the procurement process for this requirement. Specific relevant information on Reverse Auction usage will be given in the Invitation to Tender.

Section VIII: Estimated Value of Requirement
1. Estimated Value of Requirement: Category F1c: 870K – 4.5M GBP

Section IX: QA Standards
1. QA Standards: BS EN ISO 9001 with appropriate scope

Section XII: Additional Information
1. 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 MOD should register on its Supplier Information Database (SID), available at www.contracts.mod.uk. The SID is a catalogue of potential suppliers available to all MOD procurement staff, and is the main supplier database used by MOD. Please note that the registration and publication of a company profile on the 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 a contract opportunity must respond to any specific call for competition by submitting a separate expression of interest in accordance with the instructions in the contract notice.
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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