Unmanned aerial vehicles

Tender description

The rapid capabilities office is inviting expressions of interest in respect of a proposed contract to demonstrate a credible route for operational capability of an aircraft crash scene mapping solution, with an option to purchase a strictly limited number of additional units subject to further internal demand. The authority considers that there is a need for an unmanned aerial solution with a sensor capable of producing an orthorectified image of a crash scene with a high resolution to allow all parts of the scene to be mapped correctly. The supplier will be required to demonstrate the capability of their proposed solution in a technical demonstration to be held on 26.2.2020. The proposed solution should include the aerial platform, sensor payload and ground control station. The rapid capabilities office is inviting expressions of interest in respect of a proposed contract to demonstrate a credible route for operational capability of an aircraft crash scene mapping solution, with an option to purchase a strictly limited number of additional units. The authority considers that there is a need for an unmanned aerial solution with a sensor capable of producing an orthorectified image of a crash scene with a high resolution to allow all parts of the scene to be mapped correctly. It is expected that the relevant capabilities can be fitted to a Class 1B drone. The supplier will be required to demonstrate the capability of their proposed solution in a technical demonstration to be held on 16.2.2020. The proposed solution should include the aerial platform, sensor payload and ground control station. In addition, the supplier must provide a proposal for a support package to maintain, repair and update the platform for a period of 3 years. The contract is for delivery of a single platform to the Mountain Rescue Team and will contain a call-off option for the purchase of up to 5 additional units to be provided to the Mountain Rescue Team, resulting in a potential total purchase of 6 units, in the event that the solution is demonstrated to be a significant improvement over their current methodology and equipment, and additional funding can be acquired. The base contract has an estimated value of 100 000 GBP. The call-off option has an estimated value of 200 000 GBP. The contract is expected to run for 3 years, at the conclusion of this period a decision will be taken by the authority as to whether to run a new competition for an upgraded capability in the same space. An option will be included for extension of the repair and maintenance elements of the then extant capability for 2 additional years. An option will be included for the provision of alternative or additional sensor modules to increase the capability of the requirement. In addition to the requirement that their solution provide an accurate orthorectified image of the crash site in a shortened timespan, the supplier must be able to demonstrate that their solution is man-portable by a team of up to 3 personnel, conforms to the necessary data security regulations and specifications. Further mandated and desirable specifications are outlined in the statement of requirement. Due to the availability of funding the proposed platform must already be TAA approved at the point of demonstration. The authority will not accept tenders that have a pending status for TAA approval, unless a clear road map to achieve TAA approval prior to delivery in the required timelines can be demonstrated. The authority has determined that this requirement does not include an IR35 element. The contract is anticipated to be let in March of 2020.