PRIOR INFORMATION NOTICE FOR CONTRACT IN THE FIELD OF DEFENCE AND SECURITY - OFFICIAL JOURNAL

Section I: Contracting Authority / Entity

I.1)

Name, Address and Contact Point(s)

Section II: Object of the Contract

II.1)

Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority/entity

Future Ground Search Programme

II.2)

Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance

II.3)

This notice involves a framework agreement

II.4)

Short description of nature and scope of works or nature and quantity or value of supplies or services

Specialist Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search, Exploitation & Countermeasures (SEEC) Delivery Team (DT) are considering initiating a programme of projects to procure a suite of handheld detectors, providing the backbone for specialist and intermediate search users in Defence.

The MOD requires a suite of ground search detectors to provide the following:

Project 1: Handheld Metal, Non-Metal Detector:

A single handheld detector to provide a crush wire, low metal, no metal and metal detect capability (est. Qty 800)

Project 2: Handheld Complex Terrain Metal Detector:

A single handheld detector to provide a complex terrain pinpoint metal detect capability (est. Qty 800)

The Authority will be purchasing Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) detectors to equip Advanced and Intermediate Search Teams across Defence. Each requirement will also include an in-service package which may include but not limited to spares provision, repairs, technical expertise, servicing, safety and environmental management, obsolescence management, configuration control and technical support.

It is expected that the Future Ground Search programme will be split into four individual projects (two specifically noted in this PIN with the future two in a separate PIN expected in the near future), with each project having its own schedule. Each project is expected to have a minimum of a ten-year in-service life expectancy from date of manufacture and should remain supportable for that period.

Each contract is expected to have a duration of five years with options to extend by an additional two years. The estimated value of the two projects in its totality is approximately £45m. (Project 1: est £35m, Project 2: est £10m)

II.5)

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

II.6)

Scheduled date for start of award procedures and duration of the contract

II.7)

Additional information

Early Market Engagement

The Authority is interested in understanding the capabilities in the market to help inform the development of the requirements. Early Market Engagement activities will be conducted in three parts, Supplier Briefs, an Industry Day and a Demonstration Event:

Supplier Briefs

Please provide a brief of up to 2500 words detailing your capability and potential solutions to the requirements along with a price list and any potential risk/ issues that the Authority should consider. Your brief should be addressed to DESLESTSP-SEEC-Commercial@mod.gov.uk Please provide your brief no later than Monday 1st July 2024.

As a minimum, your brief should address the following aspects:

Questions:

1. What potential solutions are available to meet the requirements as stated in this PIN? Please provide information to support including any brochures (including technical information), and supplementary information if appropriate.

2. Please provide specific information on the product maturity/ technology readiness level.

3. What are the estimated delivery timescales from order through to delivery? Please base timescales on quantities listed above.

4. What are the estimated costs per unit at the market price?

5. Please provide information on how you would provide an in-service support package which may include but not limited to spares provision, repairs, technical expertise, servicing, safety and environmental management, obsolescence management, configuration control and technical support.

6. Potential risks / issues in relation to these requirements

Industry Day

The Industry Day will take place in Bristol on Monday 15th July 2024 and will be an ‘in-person’ event. The Industry Day is a briefing from the Authority to Industry, during which the Authority will describe the requirements mentioned above. The day will consist of a presentations, talks and Q&A sessions in which industry participation is encouraged.

We will invite Industry comments in relation to both the operational, and procurement strategies. All information gathered will be taken into consideration and may inform the future strategy of the programme. A follow up document containing key information from the day will be provided to all attendees after the event. Commercially sensitive information will not be shared.

Should your Organisation wish to attend the Industry Day please contact the following email address to register your interest: DESLESTSP-SEEC-Commercial@mod.gov.uk by no later than Monday 1st July 2024. Industry attendance will be limited to two (2) attendees per company due to limited capacity. The event will be classified Official Sensitive, therefore there is a requirement for confirmation of extant Security Clearance (BPSS or equivalent as a minimum) to be provided by the Supplier prior to attendance at the event for all individuals. Full names of attendees are required at registration. Further information, including an agenda and discussion topics will be provided in good time following registration and confirmation of relevant security clearances.

Demonstration Event

Following completion of the industry day, suppliers will be invited to demonstrate their equipment to provide the Authority further understanding. The anticipated date for the event will be in September 2024 and will be held at a Southwest England location, more information will be provided at the industry day.

If you are unable to attend the demonstration event, SEEC DT may visit your establishment if possible. This is subject to availability therefore attendance at the demonstration event is highly encouraged.

All information provided at each Market Engagement Stage shall not be used by the Authority to down select or evaluate suppliers, but shall help inform the development of the requirement and contracting strategy only.

In issuing this PIN, The Authority is not committing to commence with any procurement in relation to the requirements stated in this PIN.

Section III: Legal, Economic, Financial and Technical Information

III.1)

Conditions relating to the contract

III.1.1)

Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions regulating them

III.2)

Conditions for participation

III.2.1)

Reserved contracts

Section VI: Complementary Information

VI.1)

Contract related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds

VI.2)

Additional information

The Contracting Authority intends to use an e-Tendering system in this procurement exercise, please visit www.contracts.mod.uk for full details and to register your interest in this procurement.

VI.3)

Information on general regulatory framework

VI.4)

Date of dispatch of this notice