https://www.contracts.mod.uk/

Tender description

Maritime Combat Systems (MCS) Surface Ships Combat Systems Group (SSCSG) Real-time Combat system Open Data Enablers (RECODE) In-Service Support (ISS) Background The Surface Ships Combat Systems Group Delivery Team which is part of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence is intending to place a contract with BAE Systems Surface Ships Ltd (BAES) for In-Service Support of Combat Management Systems (CMS), BAES Shared Infrastructure (SI) & Networks for Royal Navy platforms, Land-Based Test Sites & training sites as well as the installation of SI Version 3 on Type 45 Destroyers. The platforms in scope include Type 23 Frigates, T45, Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier, Landing Platform Dock, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Type 26 Frigates & support for the hosting infrastructure on the Type 31 Frigates to enable the hosting of the Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Integrated Capability (MEWSIC). A CMS is a multi-layered system, comprising of component parts, products & individual equipment which all work together to provide situational awareness & lethality to the operator. The CMS covers: CMS Software & Hardware, and Hosting Infrastructure through SI & Combat System Networks. CMS equipment is made up of a series of discrete sub-systems, fully integrated together to provide the interface from which Operators can achieve a platform’s Decide & Enable capabilities. Integration & configuration management is performed at the system level to ensure interoperability across the respective sub-systems. Duration of Contract & Cost The total duration of the contract will be 8 (eight) years consisting of an initial 5 (five) year period, with 3 (three) years of options to extend the duration. The contract shall have a total estimated value of £287.634m (two hundred & eighty-seven million and six hundred & thirty-four thousand pounds sterling) exclusive of VAT. Lot 1: Justification In accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service is lawful in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence & Security Public Contract Regulations 2011 due to technical reasons. BAES are the Design Authority of the CMS, BAES SI & Networks & is the only supplier with the appropriate level of system design & configuration knowledge to meet the requirement. The CMS operates using proprietary software which the Authority does not have the right to share with a third party. Therefore, use of any third-party support supplier would increase the complexity of sub-system alignment & integration, increase the difficulty of assigning responsibility for identification & rectification of equipment failures, & present an unacceptably high risk of compromised safety management. BAES is the only operator that has the technical expertise & know-how of the CMS, BAES SI & Networks to carry out obsolescence management & modifications to ensure uninterrupted equipment availability, interoperability & underwrite such modifications from a safety perspective. It is for the reasons listed above that BAES is the only operator able to perform the contract. Additional information: This notice is not a request for expressions of interest so please do not apply to be invited to tender. This notice advises that the Authority has decided to negotiate a contract with the named supplier on a single source basis, and is published for reasons of transparency.