Aerobatic Display Smoke Dye and Solvent -Amendment

Tender description

"Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), a bespoke trading arm of the Ministry of Defence (the Authority), is conducting early market engagement for a potential future procurement of environmentally friendly coloured smoke dye and a diesel solvent alternative to 'carry' said dye, for aerobatic displays. For the display aircraft to produce coloured smoke during display, dye is mixed with a solvent and stored on a pod attached to the aircraft. This mixture is then injected into the hot exhaust of the jet engine whilst in flight to produce the coloured smoke. In order to be at the forefront of initiatives that reduce waste, conserve energy and promote the environment, DE&S are seeking coloured smoke dyes and alternative solvents that minimise the impact on the environment while maintaining a high level of performance (the dye used currently meets the standards outlined in Defence Standard 68-272, a copy of which can be found on the DStan StanMIS service). Please note that any solution will have to fit within the dimensions of the pod carried by the aircraft, and the alternative solvent will need to be accessible worldwide. This project is in an early concept phase. The Authority welcomes responses to this Request for Information that articulate what, if any, environmentally friendly solutions are currently under development or available in the market. If currently in a development phase, the Authority seeks to understand the timescales to these solutions becoming available on the market. The Authority also seeks general considerations from an industry perspective that might guide a potential competitive procurement route for this requirement. Please note that a Market Interest Day is being planned to take place later this year at RAF Scampton; further information related to this potential procurement will be presented at this event. Please email the listed address with your response to this Request for Information, and to register your interest if you wish to attend this Market Interest Day. Information regarding the Market Interest Day will be circulated to interested parties once confirmed.