Project Aether

{
  "id": "030755-2021",
  "tag": [
    "tender"
  ],
  "date": "2021-12-09T22:45:14Z",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-02ff9a",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-FTS-37378",
    "name": "Ministry of Defence"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "702308451",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "5",
        "title": "All Lots as described in the CN",
        "description": " 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."
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "0",
        "deliveryLocation": {
          "description": "Bristol"
        },
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UK"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "id": "5",
        "relatedLot": "5",
        "classification": {
          "id": "73410000",
          "scheme": "CPV",
          "description": "Military research and technology"
        }
      }
    ],
    "title": "Project Aether",
    "value": {
      "amount": 100000000,
      "currency": "GBP"
    },
    "status": "active",
    "options": {
      "period": {
        "durationInDays": 540
      },
      "description": "Subject to future approvals for Options (up to a maximum of 7 years duration, including the initial 18 months from contract award)."
    },
    "hasOptions": true,
    "hasRenewal": false,
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32009L0081",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "techniques": {
      "frameworkAgreement": {
        "value": {
          "amount": 100000000,
          "currency": "GBP"
        },
        "period": {
          "durationInDays": 540
        },
        "maximumParticipants": null
      },
      "hasFrameworkAgreement": true
    },
    "description": "Project AETHER (Identification of systems that can perform Ultra-Persistent Wide Area Communications with Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) \nThe Contracting Authority has a developing requirement to demonstrate Ultra-Persistent Wide Area Communications with Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance using Stratospheric Uncrewed Air Systems that can be rapidly manoeuvred to an area of interest that is anywhere in the world.  \nThe Contracting Authority requires a capability that can be rapidly manoeuvred to any area of interest in the world to provide ultra-persistent wide-area communications in addition to Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. The information must be available in near real time and be exploited using a range of existing resources.  The capability must be on task for several months at a time with minimal resupply or maintenance effort. \nThe Authority intends to invite all eligible companies who pass the PQQ to tender for the Framework. Note that while there is no down-selection to any specific numbers of bidders at this stage, only companies who can demonstrate relevance to the subject matter of the lots within the Framework through their previous or existing portfolio of work (of which examples are requested via the PQQ) will pass the PQQ and be considered eligible to receive an Invitation to Tender at the next stage of the competition. Potential bidders may bid to join a single lot or multiple lots. Please provide evidence in a maximum of 4 sides of A4 per lot. \nAs with any framework, whilst there can be no guarantee of any particular quantity of work being put through it, the Authority intends to conduct further mini-competitions to select successful framework contractors or collaborative teams of framework contractors within individual lots or across a number of Lots in any combination, and expects that the work will be conducted progressively in spirals giving ongoing opportunities to many of the framework participants. \nThe lots will include, but may not be limited to, the following subject matter themes:\n•\tPlatform – a rapidly deployable uncrewed platform capable of working at stratospheric altitudes to carry out uninterrupted ISR activities \n•\tPayload – capable of being fitted to a platform to carry out uninterrupted and secure ISR activities and communications over an extended period of time \n•\tIntegrator – to oversee the integration of the payload onto a platform to enable the processing, exploitation and dissemination of information\n•\tCustomer Advisory Network (may include but not be limited to assurance, operationalisation, third party security testing, testing and evaluation).\n•\tOptional lot – Fully accredited air system (including payload). \nThe Authority must ensure that where access is required to classified information in the course of any tasking or Working Group activity, then this access will only be granted to framework participants with suitable security clearance in place at the time a task is raised. Whilst a particular level of security clearance is not essential for initial entry to the framework following the Invitation to Tender process, the Authority reserves the right to refuse inclusion of any framework participant who does not possess the required clearance level at the time a mini-competition for a task is initiated or a classified Working Group is scheduled. \nIPR will be discussed on a task by task basis but the Authority would expect to take ownership of Trials & Demonstrations results and raw data (use of DEFCON 703/705). \nAll framework participants will be kept updated with progress of this project on a quarterly basis subject to security caveats. Once the PQQ phase has been completed and we move to ITT stage an event will be held in order to discuss the requirement and future direction. \nPlease note this framework will be initially for up to 2 years from publication of this PQQ and pending future approvals, the framework would be re-opened on a 12 monthly basis. \nThe Cyber Risk Assessment code is DCPP- RAR-406930362 and has been rated as Moderate Risk. Quantity or scope: Divided into Lots, re-opened at 12 month intervals, and subject to future approvals for Options (up to a maximum of 7 years duration, including the initial 18 months from contract award).",
    "tenderPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2022-01-17T23:59:00Z"
    },
    "contractTerms": {
      "otherTerms": "Appropriate security clearance will be notified as a pre-condition of certain tasks."
    },
    "hasRecurrence": false,
    "classification": {
      "id": "73410000",
      "scheme": "CPV",
      "description": "Military research and technology"
    },
    "contractPeriod": {
      "endDate": "2023-12-31T23:59:59Z",
      "startDate": "2022-05-31T00:00:00+01:00"
    },
    "submissionTerms": {
      "languages": [
        "en"
      ],
      "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
    },
    "submissionMethod": [
      "written"
    ],
    "procurementMethod": "selective",
    "selectionCriteria": {
      "criteria": [
        {
          "type": "suitability",
          "appliesTo": [
            "supplier"
          ],
          "description": "Suppliers Instructions How to Express Interest in this Tender:\n1. Register your company on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once)\n- Browse to the eSourcing Portal\n- Click the “Click here to register” link\n- Accept the terms and conditions and click “continue”\n- Enter your correct business and user details\n- Note the username you chose and click “Save” when complete\n- You will shortly receive an email with your unique password (please keep this secure)\n2. Express an Interest in the tender\n- Login to the portal with the username/password\n- Click the \"PQQs Open to All Suppliers\" link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires open to any registered supplier)\n- Click on the relevant PQQ to access the content.\n- Click the “Express Interest” button in the “Actions” box on the left-hand side of the page. \n- This will move the PQQ into your “My PQQs” page. (This is a secure area reserved for your projects only)\n- Click on the PQQ code, you can now access any attachments by clicking the “Settings and Buyer Attachments” in the “Actions” box \n3. Responding to the tender\n- You can now choose to “Reply” or “Reject” (please give a reason if rejecting)\n- You can now use the ‘Messages’ function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification\n- Note the deadline for completion, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ \n- There may be a mixture of online & offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available)\nIf you require any further assistance please consult the online help, or contact the eTendering help desk."
        },
        {
          "type": "suitability",
          "appliesTo": [
            "subcontractor"
          ],
          "description": "Suppliers Instructions How to Express Interest in this Tender:\n1. Register your company on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once)\n- Browse to the eSourcing Portal\n- Click the “Click here to register” link\n- Accept the terms and conditions and click “continue”\n- Enter your correct business and user details\n- Note the username you chose and click “Save” when complete\n- You will shortly receive an email with your unique password (please keep this secure)\n2. Express an Interest in the tender\n- Login to the portal with the username/password\n- Click the \"PQQs Open to All Suppliers\" link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires open to any registered supplier)\n- Click on the relevant PQQ to access the content.\n- Click the “Express Interest” button in the “Actions” box on the left-hand side of the page. \n- This will move the PQQ into your “My PQQs” page. (This is a secure area reserved for your projects only)\n- Click on the PQQ code, you can now access any attachments by clicking the “Settings and Buyer Attachments” in the “Actions” box \n3. Responding to the tender\n- You can now choose to “Reply” or “Reject” (please give a reason if rejecting)\n- You can now use the ‘Messages’ function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification\n- Note the deadline for completion, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ \n- There may be a mixture of online & offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available)\nIf you require any further assistance please consult the online help, or contact the eTendering help desk."
        },
        {
          "type": "economic",
          "minimum": "As stated in PQQ",
          "appliesTo": [
            "supplier"
          ],
          "description": "As stated in PQQ"
        },
        {
          "type": "economic",
          "appliesTo": [
            "subcontractor"
          ],
          "description": "As stated in PQQ"
        },
        {
          "type": "technical",
          "appliesTo": [
            "supplier"
          ],
          "description": "As stated in PQQ"
        },
        {
          "type": "technical",
          "appliesTo": [
            "subcontractor"
          ],
          "description": "As stated in PQQ"
        }
      ]
    },
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Restricted",
    "additionalClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "35613000",
        "scheme": "CPV",
        "description": "Unmanned aerial vehicles"
      },
      {
        "id": "35720000",
        "scheme": "CPV",
        "description": "Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance"
      },
      {
        "id": "3",
        "scheme": "TED_SERVICE_CATEGORY_DEFENCE",
        "description": "Defence services, military defence services and civil defence services"
      }
    ]
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-37378",
      "name": "Ministry of Defence",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "locality": "Bristol",
        "postalCode": "BS34 8JH",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Future Capabilities Group, Spruce 2b, #1261, MOD Abbey Wood"
      },
      "details": {
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "MINISTRY",
            "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisions"
          },
          {
            "id": "02",
            "scheme": "COFOG",
            "description": "Defence"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "Ministry of Defence"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Attn: Day Alicia",
        "email": "Alicia.Day705@mod.gov.uk"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "description": "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.",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}