Project DEGAS: Acquisition of An Aircraft for Flight Experimentation

The Royal Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office is considering a new procurement to acquire an aircraft platform (the aircraft) in order to provide rapid and low-cost airborne experimentation and concept demonstrations for new equipment prior for its potential entry into service.

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) has been issued to provide information to the market and for the Authority to understand the feasibility of the requirement to enable it to develop the procurement strategy.

The Authority would like to undertake market engagement to understand risks, cost and delivery drivers associated with the following options:

a) The procurement of an Aircraft with a support contract for maintenance, modification, and general operations.

b) The lease of an Aircraft and its subsequent support.

Further details on the Authorities statement of intended use for the required Aircraft Platform can be found in attachments under the Opportunity listing on the DSP.

The Authority are looking to hold an Early Market Engagement Industry Day to discuss the requirement in detail and the potential procurement routes. This will be held virtually at 09.30 – 16:00hrs GMT on 23 May 22 on Microsoft TEAMS.

To express interest in attending the Industry Day, please provide a name, email address and telephone number to [email protected] and [email protected] with the subject ‘DEGAS Aircraft Platform Industry Day’.

To note: This PIN is not a means to seek formal expressions of interest; that opportunity may become available in the future through the publication of a formal contract notice that will be published on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP).

KEY DATES:

Final date for Suppliers to confirm attendance at Early Market Engagement Day: 17:00hrs GMT on 29 April 22

Authority to provide details for Industry Day to interested Suppliers: NLT 17:00hrs GMT on 13 May 22

Interest Day: Between 09.30 – 16:00hrs GMT on 23 May 22 on Microsoft TEAMS

Please note the following:

• This Industry Day will assist the Authority to refine any future requirements and procurement documentation.
• We reserve the right not to proceed with this procurement. Nothing shall constitute a commitment to instigating a formal procurement process.
• Any and all costs associated with the production of such a response either to an RFI, attendance at an Interest Day or any resultant competition must be borne by the Supplier.

The Authority will not contribute in any way to meeting production costs of any response.

• No down-selection of Potential Providers will take place as a consequence of any responses or interactions relating to this Interest Day.
• The Authority expect that all responses at the Interest Day and any subsequent RFI will be provided by Potential Providers in good faith to the best of their ability in the light of information available at the time of their response.
• No information provided by a Potential Provider in response to this Interest Day and any subsequent RFI will be carried forward, used or acknowledged in any way for the purpose of evaluating the Potential Provider, in any subsequent formal procurement process that may take place.
• Should a Potential Provider fail to attend the Interest Day or respond to any subsequent RFI, it will not affect any further participation in any possible future procurement for this capability.