Published date: 27 October 2023

Last edited date: 27 October 2023

Closed early engagement


Closing date: 10 November 2023

Contract summary

Industry

  • Air defence radar - 35723000

Location of contract

Any region

Procurement reference

tender_396073/1275507

Published date

27 October 2023

Closing date

10 November 2023

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - Request For Information (RFI)

More information

Previous notice about this procurement

Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System - RFI

  • Early engagement
  • Published 27 October 2023

Additional text

Request For Information of Ministry of Defence - Mission Critical Briefing (Communications) System

Introduction

The authority has a potential future requirement for the procurement and support of a replacement Mission Critical Briefing System for the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Mission Critical Briefing System initiates Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions both in the UK and Falklands Islands (FI). Robust information exchange architecture with the minimum people in the chain is essential. The messages will be not above OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE. A long term, replacement solution is required that provides a capability at the QRA Main Operating Bases and supporting units, as well as to the QRA aircraft cockpit. In addition, to enable Agile Combat Employment (ACE),any replacement should be capable of being deployed and used at any mil/civ Forward Operating Base.

The Mission Critical Briefing System capability secures unambiguous information exchange between Control and Reporting Centres (CRCs), Operations, Air Traffic Control and High Readiness Platforms for National and NATO QRA operations.

This Request for Information (RFI) may be used to inform the procurement strategy, assess whether industry has the capacity to deliver the requirement to the timescales needed, provide VROM cost for the replacement capability. The authority's commercial strategy is to complete this requirement.

Requirements

The new capability shall be able to operate on Internet Protocol (IP)/4G/5G/wi-fi networks, via MoD RLI network.

The capability will be easily deployable to a Forward Operating Base or alternate locations. A deployable capability shall be able to operate on Internet Protocol (IP)/4G/5G/wi-fi networks, via MoD RLI network. For the purpose of providing VROM costs the deployed capability profile can be assumed as interfacing with 2 x Aircraft and 6 x Operators / Users (Sqn Ops, Stn Ops, Air Crew (when not in cockpit), ATC Tower). Additionally, forward holding complement of spares including Intercom Units / Line Replaceable Units / Cable Assembly in support of 1st/2nd Line (Depth A/B) maintenance activities on deployment. For VROM Costs assume 1 x deployable Mission Critical Briefing System.


The capability shall interface with the TYPHOON platform.



The capability will shall integrate with GUARDIAN C4i advanced VOICE C2 voice over IP (VoIP) Communication System (VCS) at the CRCs at RAF Boulmer and 78 Sqn, Swanwick in the UK and at MPC, FI.



The capability shall be supportable until 31 Mar 2040 (15 years).



DSEAR 2002 - Any equipment and cable assemblies installed within hazardous areas shall meet the minimum Zone 2 site requirements for electrical equipment of: Gas Group IIA, Temperature Class T3. The use of ATEX certified enclosures as part of the overall design is acceptable if the above criteria is met.



Train-the-Trainer Course - The supplier will be required to deliver a Train-the-Trainer package with D

About the buyer

Address

Air Defence & Electronic Warfare Systems DT Room C23, Building 85 Royal Air Force Henlow Bedfordshire SG16 6DN
Henlow
SG16 6DN
England

Email

Medwyn.williams494@mod.gov.uk