S&MOCB/9000 - Procurement and Support of Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle · Ministry of Defence (May 2023)

Following the issue of the following PINs, below, DE&S – Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) team would like to thank all companies that have expressed an interest in supplying the intended procurement of equipment and support as described.

• PIN 1 on 21st June 2022
• PIN 2 on 27th July 2022
• PIN 3 on 27th Nov 2022

This 4th PIN is to advise Industry of the continued intent to publish a contract notice for the potential procurement of a deep-water work class Remotely Operating Vehicle and supporting equipment.

SALMO originally planned to issue a contract notice for this requirement subject to the agreement of funding within the current financial year 2022/2023. This date for release of the contract notice is now estimated to be in the first part of financial year 2024/2025, with the indicative contract award timeframe estimated to be in financial year 2025/2026. Once the MoD have a clearer idea of timings, a further PIN will be issued to inform Industry.

Following further development of the requirements for this capability, the Authority can confirm that there is now a requirement for the system to be procured and supported via a UK prime contractor. Additional information: The Salvage and Marine Operations (SALMO) Team within the Ministry of Defence (MOD), have a potential requirement procure a deep-water work class Remotely Operating Vehicle and supporting equipment in order to carry out its core salvage activities. The intent is that the ROV should be capable of object manipulation and high-resolution imagery up to a depth of 6000m.

The intended procurement is for at least one deep-water, work class Remotely Operated Vehicle system including the vehicle, launch and recovery system, control, workshop and support containers and is to be readily deployable through standardized freight transport. The intent is also to procure a training and an in-service support solution package for at least one year. SALMO plans to issue a contract notice for this requirement subject to the agreement of funding in 2024/2025. Indicative contract award timeframe would be financial year 2025/2026.

Both manufacture and support should be provided by a UK prime contractor, however, overseas companies shall not be prohibited from involvement in delivering those elements that do not require access to UK sensitive information and are therefore encouraged to seek subcontract opportunities with UK based prime suppliers.

In issuing this Prior Information Notice (PIN) and engaging with the market, neither SALMO nor MoD are committing to carry out any procurement in relation to the information stated in this PIN.