Defence Online

Type of document: Contract Notice
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Ref: (2024/S 000-007650/EN)
Nature of contract: Service contract
Procedure: Award of a contract without prior publication
Type of bid required: Not applicable

Voluntary ex ante transparency notice
Services

Section I: Contracting authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Official name: Ministry of Defence
Town: Bristol
Country: United Kingdom
Email: alixander.oconnor116@mod.gov.uk
Internet address(es):
Main address:

I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local sub-divisions
I.5) Main activity
Defence

Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title: WATCHKEEPER AIRPORT SERVICES AND ACCOMODATION AT WEST WALES AIRPORT FOR WATCHKEEPER TEST AND EVALUATION
II.1.2) Main CPV code: 70220000
II.1.3) Type of contract Services
II.1.4) Short Description:
The Thales Watchkeeper is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for all weather, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) used by the British Army. Watchkeeper In-Service Support has been provided since the AV came into service in the 2010s.
II.1.6) Information about lots
The contract is divided into lots: no
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement(excluding VAT)
Value:6500000.00
Currency:GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
Nuts code:
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
WATCHKEEPER AIRPORT SERVICES AND ACCOMODATION AT WEST WALES AIRPORT FOR WATCHKEEPER TEST AND EVALUATION

II.2.5) Award criteria
II.2.11) Information about options
Options: no
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the Official Journal of the European Union in the cases listed below
(please complete point 2 of the Annex D)
IV.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement(GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: yes
IV.2) Administrative information

Section V: Award of contract/concession
V.2) Award of contract/concession
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract/concession award decision:2024-03-07
V.2.2) Information about tenders
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Official name: West Wales Airport LTD
Town: Hereford
Country: United Kingdom
Nuts code:
The contractor is an SME: no

V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot/concession(excluding VAT)
for framework agreements – total maximum value for this lot
for contracts based on framework agreements, if required – value of contract(s) for this lot not included in
previous contract award notices
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Value or proportion likely to be subcontracted to third parties

Section VI: Complementary informationVI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Official name: Ministry of Defence
Town: Bristol
Country: United Kingdom

VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice:
2024-03-11

Other justification for the award of the contract without prior publication of a call for competition
in the Official Journal of the European Union
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive

3.Explanation
Please explain in a clear and comprehensive manner why the award of the contract without prior publication in the Official Journal of the European Union
is lawful, by stating the relevant facts and, as appropriate, the conclusions of law in accordance with the directive:
Short description of the contract or purchase(s):
The continued provision of airport services, facilities and building lease/s as a direct contract with West Wales Airport (WWA) to support the Watchkeeper Unpiloted Air System Programme Test and Evaluation (T &E).
Reason For Award of Contract:
To enable continuation of Watchkeeper T & E from 1 April 2024 to 31 Mar 2027 to align with the Watchkeeper In-Service Support Contract and associated tasks requiring T & E.
Justification for Non-Competitive Decision:
Only WWA has the regulated environmental conditions under which WK T & E flying can take place, and therefore is the only location where T & E can be carried out in accordance with the T & E Military Permit to Fly (MPTF).

The MPTF dictates how specific Air Vehicle/s will be operated as part of the prime flying contractor Thales’ UK (ISR)’s Contractor Flying Approved Organization Scheme (CFAOS) responsibilities, granted by the UK Military Airworthiness Authority (MAA). The MPTF includes an Airspace Constraints prohibition relating to flying and does not allow for T & E flying to take place at other location. The MPTF will not recommend alternative sites as being suitable within the proposed contracting timeframe.

In accordance with Regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate.

Accordingly, it is considered that this contract can be awarded to West Wales Airport Ltd using the negotiated procedure without prior publication pursuant to Regulation 16(1) (a) (ii) of the UK Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for Technical Reasons.
Main Place of Performance or Delivery:
West Wales Airport, Blaenannerch, Cardigan SA43 2DZ