Royal Air Force (RAF) Centre of Aviation Medicine (CAM) Relocation - 701577386

RAFCAM Overview

As the Defence lead for Aviation Medicine (AvMed), RAF Centre for Aviation Medicine (RAF CAM) provides support across the full range of Defence Tasks (DTs). It provides deployed and Firm Base medical support to operations, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) training for aircrew and aviation-focused Human Factors analysis. RAF CAM specifically provides:

a. Expert advice, support and services to MOD, Frontline Commands (FLCs), Military Aviation Authority (MAA), Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), Duty Holders, Project Teams, academia and commercial organisations.

b. Expert support to platform development and integration including supporting urgent operational requirements.

c. Expert human factors and biodynamic advice to Defence Accident Investigation Branch (DAIB) incident and accident investigations.

d. AvMed Training to Tri-Service and international aircrew and medical personnel aiming to decrease Risk to Life posed by flying and aviation operations.

e. Lead for AvMed and Aeromedical policy.

f. The RAF Medical Board and specialist clinical assessment of Tri-Service aircrew and air traffic controllers.

g. Occupational and Environmental Health support.

In 2015, SoS announced that RAF Henlow would close as part of the Defence Estates Optimisation Programme (DEOP). To accommodate the relocation of the RAF CAM capability a new building must be constructed on a site within the secured perimeter at RAF Cranwell, near Sleaford in Lincolnshire.

RAFCAM Requirement

The purpose of this procurement is to relocate the Royal Air Force (RAF) Centre of Aviation Medicine (CAM) from RAF Henlow to RAF Cranwell into a new purpose-built facility. The requirement also includes equipment and on-going support.

Infrastructure

This requirement will include the design and build of the new facility at RAF Cranwell. The building shall provide suitable infrastructure for the integration and maintenance of the RAF CAM equipment, staff and visitors with the layout optimised for operational and training efficiency. The building shall include all equipment facilities and external areas, ICT infrastructure, access and fire detection systems, communication systems and training rooms required for the effective delivery of the RAF CAM capability.

The building shall interface with existing on-site utilities without impinging on station operations and shall accord with the station requirements for fire and safety regulations. As a consequence, the building shall not exceed 10m in height.

The design, construction, and operation of the building shall apply the Policy framework and overarching direction as defined within JSP 850, the Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2 standards for the System Infrastructure design and handover documentation and the DIO Defence Related Environmental Assessment Methodology (DREAM) environmental assessment tool. (Information on these policies is available on the Internet.)

Equipment

This requirement will include the relocation of the existing capability from RAF Henlow of which some items will require refurbishing existing equipment and others will need to be procured as new. This equipment will be housed in the facility to be constructed at RAF Cranwell. It is currently anticipated that there will also be a requirement to provide a support solution for the equipment to meet maintenance requirements following the relocation.

The equipment to be relocated includes specialist medical aviation equipment such as Hypobaric Chambers, Multi Point Pressure Breathing Rig, and Scenario Based Hypoxia Training Rigs as well as other pieces of specialist equipment. There are also non-specialist large pieces of equipment such as Helmet Drop Rigs, and various Aircraft Cockpit Rigs as well as a range of smaller equipment will also require relocation. The Equipment Catalogue provided as part of the PQQ documents gives an overview of the equipment and how its currently used by CAM.

Key Dates

The anticipated key dates for this procurement are as follows; Contract Award July 2023, completion of RAF CAM facility Construction Phase January 2026, Equipment Delivery Date June 2026 and Maintenance/Support Solution of key Equipment thereafter. Other anticipated key dates are included in the Market Interest Day Slide Pack.