Next Generation Communication Network

1 PURPOSE OF THE PIN

1.1 The purpose of this PIN is to notify industry of the upcoming Next Generation Communication Network (NGCN) Industry Day. The Authority intends to use the Industry Day to better understand the marketplace. This Early Market Engagement will help develop our internal thinking on the best approach to adopt for the successful delivery of the Programme.

1.2 This Industry Day will provide an overview of the NGCN requirements, it is expected that there will be subsequent Early Market Engagement events to provide further specific details.

2 BACKGROUND

2.1 The Digital Strategy for Defence details the step changes in approach MOD needs to take to satisfy its digital vision. The key enabler is the Digital Backbone, which will integrate sensors, effectors, and decision-makers across multiple military domains and with MoD’s partners, to enable faster, data-driven decisions and improved operational and corporate outcomes.

2.2 The Digital Technology Strategic Direction provides the direction to exploit digital technology that NGCN takes its direction from. NGCN will enable the networking capabilities of the Digital Backbone and is therefore critical to the delivery of the Digital Strategy and for the future operation of the MOD.

3 NGCN STRATEGIC CASE

3.1 NGCN is a strategic programme within Defence Digital that will be the foundation for the delivery of a Single Enterprise Network for Defence. NGCN is aligned to the Defence Digital Strategy and the capability it delivers will form a core part of the Digital Backbone.

3.2 NGCN will:

• Enable new military capability such as multi-domain integration, data analytics, interactive threat management and interoperability with allies.
• Meet the needs of the MOD workforce to work flexibly. Mobility and home working are key drivers for change.
• Empower Operations with the tools to manage the network effectively.

3.3 The design of NGCN will:

• Remove the complexity and fragmentation issues prevalent in the current network services.
• Meet the MOD’s new standards for security, accessibility and reliability.
• Leverage a new approach to commercial engagement with the market.
• Disaggregate the existing large-scale contracts into service bundles and promote the use of standard frameworks for procurement.

4 OVERVIEW OF THE NGCN SERVICES

4.1 The Authority will provide a high-level view of the NGCN Services that will be taken to market during the Industry Day.

5 INDICATIVE PROCUREMENT TIMELINES

5.1. Indicative dates for the procurements will be shared during the Industry Day.

6 INDUSTRY DAY

6.1 An Industry Day is planned for 30th May 2023 at techUK, 10 St Bride Street, London EC4A 4AD from 14:00 – 17:00.

6.2 The Industry Day is an in-person event only. It is recommended that suppliers attend so that they can meet the NGCN Programme team as well as the Senior Management Team responsible for the delivery of the NGCN Programme.

6.3 Suppliers that meet the Conditions of Participation are advised to arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time to allow for identity verification.

6.4 Objectives of the Industry Day:

a) Allow the Authority to provide clarity on the NGCN requirements and indicative procurement timelines.

b) Gauge and generate interest around the contract opportunity and assess industry’s ability to support the indicative timelines.

c) Obtain feedback and queries on the requirement as currently defined.

d) Provide an opportunity for suppliers to raise pertinent concerns/risks on the successful delivery of the NGCN procurement.

6.5 Indicative Agenda of the Industry Day

Agenda Time Duration

Arrival 13:30 30 mins

Introductions and welcome 14:00 10 mins

Context 14:10 20 mins

Bringing it to life/ Our ambition 14:30 40 mins

Break 15:10 15 mins

Procurement Information 15:25 40 mins

Partnering together 16:05 30 mins

Wrap up 16:35 10 mins

7 REGISTRATION OF INTEREST

7.1 7.1 Suppliers interested in attending the Industry Day must send an expression of interest to [email protected] ,all suppliers that express interest will be sent the Conditions for Participation in the Industry Day.

7.2 Participation in the Industry Day will be subject to suppliers meeting the Conditions for Participation and will be limited to a maximum of two (2) delegates per supplier.

7.3 Suppliers must provide their response to the Conditions for Participation to the point of contact provided within Section I.1 of the PIN on or before 12:00 GMT on 16th May 2023.

7.4 The Authority reserves the right to reject any response or expressions of interest provided after the deadline stated above.

7.5 There are limited spaces available for the Industry Day and attendance will be subject to suppliers meeting the Conditions for Participation.

7.6 If the Industry Day is oversubscribed, the Authority will limit attendees using the time of submission of valid responses to the Conditions for Participation as a differentiator. Attendance will be on a first come first serve basis.

7.7 Presentations used to facilitate the event will be available to suppliers that meet the Conditions for Participation upon request following the Industry Day.

8 IMPORTANT POINTS TO NOTE (DISCLAIMERS)

8.1 Suppliers must please note the disclaimers provided within the Conditions for Participation.