Defence Logistics - Virtual Reality Defence Support Network

Tender description

Summary of the work The Defence Logistics Directorate of the Ministry of Defence would like to create a Virtual Reality demonstrator programme which advertises the Defence Support Network of the future (10-30 years). It is intended to highlight the benefits of additive manufacture, artificial intelligence and robotics to the Defence logistics enterprise. Expected Contract Length Less than six months Latest start date Friday 1 March 2019 Budget Range The total budget for the production of the VR video is £15000. Why the Work is Being Done Defence Logistics is the directorate within the Ministry of Defence which provides logistics advice and direction. As part of the directorate the Concepts & Force Development team look at new ways of developing the logistics enterprise within Defence through new technologies or ways of working in a future timeframe of 10-30 years. The directorate is seeking to develop a 3-4 minute Virtual Reality (VR) video/interactive game which demonstrates the future Defence Support Network and advertises how the implementation of new technologies will benefit Defence. The production of the VR video is required by May 2019. Problem to Be Solved The future Defence Support Network is expected to have several different technologies and processes which will enable the logistics within Defence to be enabled faster and more efficient, whilst reducing the amount of stock, movement, and personnel involved in the chain. Expected technology used in this future is additive manufacture, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic and autonomous systems. The team need to be able to demonstrate visually what these technologies can offer in order to advertise to senior leaders and industry experts understand what we want to transform the Support Network into in the future. Who Are the Users As an advocate within Defence Logistics of the future technologies that can be used for logistics, I need to demonstrate visually the benefit of several technologies (additive manufacture, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic & autonomous systems) to the Support Network (previously described as the Supply Chain) so that I can enable research and development within the prospective areas, to assist in developing funding options. I would like an updated version of the current video which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYA9_HvgJcw Work Already Done The previous example which was created for our organisation was a video which encapsulated what the future Defence Support Network would look like. It can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYA9_HvgJcw There are also three Concept Notes which can be made available which describe how these technologies are expected to be used by Defence. Existing Team The Concept & Force Development team is a military team based in the Ministry of Defence. Any team who is brought in to work on the VR DSN will be able to consult them on the vision for the video. Current Phase Not applicable Skills & Experience • Have experience developing Virtual Reality solutions. • Be able to develop a solution which can be used on several commercially available VR platforms. • Be able to demonstrate the solution in different locations (i.e have demonstration equipment which they can transport themselves). Nice to Haves • Have expertise in logistics and the Defence Support Network • Have previous experience working with the Ministry of Defence Work Location The supplier can work remotely but any meetings with the Concepts & Force Development team will need to take place either in the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall, London, or at the Ministry of Defence's Abbey Wood site which is in Bristol. Working Arrangments Work on the VR DSN is expected to be done remotely with direction provided by the Concepts & Force Development team on how they visualise the VR DSN, and then regular updates on the development of the solution through telephone, video calls, and face-to-face meetings provided by the supplier. Security Clearance No security clearance is required. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 6 Proposal Criteria • How the solution meets the user needs. • How the solution meets the organisation's policy goals. • Value for money. • Approach and methodology. Cultural Fit Criteria • Be transparent and collaborative when making decisions. • Share knowledge and experience with other team members. • Challenge the status quo. • Be able to work with clients with low technical expertise. • Take responsibility for their work. Payment Approach Fixed price Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 50% Cultural fit 10% Price 40% Questions from Suppliers 1. Can you please confirm the budget for this opportunity? The total budget is £15000. 2. Will the 3D models used in the previous example video be made available? The 3D models from the previous example video will not be made available. 3. Is ambition that the whole video be rendered or will b-roll stock footage be used? The ambition is that the whole video will be rendered but if it is appropriate and generates the correct effect we are happy for B-Roll footage to be used. 4. If stock footage, will that be made available? Some stock footage may be made available from the Defence Directorate of Communications but this would need to be discussed with the successful applicant.