705563450 - In Service Support for Combat Management Systems (CMS), Shared Infrastructure (SI) and Networks

Tender description

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. 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 and is the only supplier with the appropriate level of system design & configuration knowledge to meet the requirement and 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 and integration, increase the difficulty of assigning responsibility for identification and rectification of equipment failures, and present an unacceptably high risk of compromised safety management. BAES is the only operator that has the technical expertise and know-how of the CMS, BAES SI & Networks to carry out obsolescence management and modifications to ensure uninterrupted equipment availability, interoperability and underwrite such modifications from a safety perspective. It is for the reasons listed above that BAES is the only operator able to perform and meet the technical requirements of 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.