UK public contract notice — Ministry of Defence (Jan 2024)

Life Jackets, Buoyancy Aids and Flotation Devices

MOD has a requirement for the provision of Life Jackets, Buoyancy Aids and Flotation Devices.

In 2021 the MOD undertook industry engagement activity for “Project Talbot”. Since this time the MOD has undertaken a review of the requirements of the Armed Forces and is introducing Category Management principles into procurement activities. This is to enable the MOD / Defence to work more collaboratively with industry and have an aligned market facing approach.

This requirement seeks innovation from Civilian and Tactical Life Jacket, buoyancy aid and flotation device suppliers to deliver a Defence requirement. The requirement is to deliver Civilian and Tactical Life Jackets, buoyancy aids and Flotation devices to meet the requirements of the Royal Navy and their stakeholder community. This may be delivered through existing equipment or working collaboratively with Defence to design and develop a new generation of equipment.

All equipment shall require in-service support which includes repair / maintenance activities, obsolescence, and supply chain management. The Tactical equipment shall be adaptable to evolve and meet operational requirements whilst ensuring compatibility with body armour and all associated combative equipment. Any design should avoid focus on a single user group by implementing the concept of modularity and cross system integration. Ingress and egress from vehicles and aircraft will need consideration and designs to demonstrate the requisite competences as an organisation to fulfil these requirements.