Find a TenderAwarded
Published 21 Apr 2021, 22:55 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Support and Enhancement of TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment

Official notice

Authority: Ministry of Defence (Central government)

ServicesNegotiated without publication of a contract notice
Sectors: Architecture & Engineering (71) Delivery: UK
Awarded value£750,000published contract · exc. VAT
Awarded 4 Feb 2021
Awarded to Leidos Innovations UK Limited

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Support (hardware and software) for the Authority’s existing TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment. The services shall be provided for 5 years commencing 2021.

CPV: Technical support services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published
Lot #1Summary the services: The Authority intends to procure support for its currently…

Summary the services: The Authority intends to procure support for its currently deployed TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment. Services shall be provided for 5 years commencing 2021.

Technology: Tactical data link (TDL) is a communications technology utilizing radio waves or cable used by the U.S. armed forces and NATO nations. Tactical data link technology has various forms (Link 16, etc.)

MOD MML Project: The Maritime Multi-Link (MML) Project will provide Royal Navy warships with the Tactical Data Link System (TDLS), to provide enhanced operational capability to interoperate with NATO and other coalition partners and allies. The Tactical Data Link System will comprise MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) equipment.

Purpose of current test equipment (MLST3 and TIGER): Tactical Data Links are required to be tested in order to verify their correct operation. The currently used test equipment (MLST3 and TIGER) are TDL test tools that support the development and testing of Data Link Processors (DLP) in the following areas:

  • Conformance to Tactical Data Link (TDL) Standards for Link 11, Link 16, Link 22 and Joint Range Extension Application Protocol ‘C’ (JREAP-C);
  • Interoperability, in both single and multi-link environments;
  • DLP Integration and Testing

The requirement to support the existing test equipment software: In order for the currently used TDL test tools to remain up to date with the latest NATO TDL Messaging Standards Agreements (STANAGs) the software is required to be supported. This support comprises software fixes and updates and some software related training.

The requirement to support the existing test equipment hardware: The main component of the existing equipment is MLST3 (OEM: Northrop Grumman product) which was procured by the Authority via Foreign Military Sale procurement in 2020. The other element is TIGER (again OEM: Northrop Grumman product) which as originally procured by the Authority as part of the Wildcat programme. The existing hardware will have to be supported to ensure its functioning and compatibility with the software during the period of support.

Delivery: UK

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored
  • Lowest price

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached
Procedure method
Negotiated without publication of a contract notice
Legal basis
CELEX · 32009L0081 Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 (Directive 2009/81/EC)
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
21 Apr 2021, 22:55 BST
Last source update
21 Apr 2021, 22:55 BST
Authority reference
701551750
FTS notice number
2021/S 000-008556
Classification (CPV)
Technical support services
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-02a8dd Find a Tender
Why no open competition

The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development under the conditions stated in the directive; The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons

Published justification

The Situational Awareness Command and Control (SACC) team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a single source contract to Leidos Innovations UK Limited, acting as the agent for the Northrop Grumman Corporation, for a period of 5 years to procure hardware and software support to the MLST3 and TIGER Test Tool.

It is considered that this contract can be awarded using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication pursuant to Article 28(1) (e) of Directive 2009/81/EC (Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011) for technical reasons.

Northrop Grumman are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for both MLST3 and TIGER test equipment and have the design drawings/information, technical specifications, data and knowledge of the equipment which has been provided to Leidos Innovations UK Limited as Northrop Grumman’s exclusive authorised agent for the supply of MLST3 and TIGER hardware and software in Europe and, hence the only source for OEM support for MLST3 and TIGER hardware and software. The MoD has already procured MLST3 through Northrop Grumman via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route and TIGER through Leidos and is seeking to maintain and support the existing test facility for the next 5 years. The estimated total contract value is £750,000.

Publisher note: The Authority reserves the right to amend any condition related to security of information to reflect any changes in national law or government policy. If any contract documents are accompanied by instructions on safeguarding classified information (e.g. a Security Aspects Letter), the Authority reserves the right to amend the terms of these instructions to reflect any changes in national law or government policy, whether in respect of the applicable protective marking scheme, specific protective markings given, the aspects to which any protective marking applies, or otherwise. The link below to the Gov.uk website provides information on the Government Security Classification. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-security-classifications Advertising Regime OJEU:- This contract opportunity is published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), the MoD Defence Contracts Bulletin and www.contracts.mod.uk

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £750,0001 contract exc. VAT
Contracts signed 1latest 4 Feb 2021
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Leidos Innovations UK LimitedSubcontracting: declared£750,000 †—Awarded

Contracts

  • Support and Enhancement of TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment · Leidos Innovations UK Limited

    Signed
    4 Feb 2021
    Value
    £750,000
    Status
    active

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Ministry of Defence

Contracting authorityCentral GovernmentMinistry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local subdivisionsDefence Situational Awareness Command and Control, Spruce 1c #1113, MoD Abbey Wood, Bristol, South West, BS34 8JHContact name, email, phone

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • Leidos Innovations UK LtdAwarded supplier Chester House, Farnborough Aerospace Centre, Farnborough, South East, GU14 6TQContact phone

Official documents & specifications

Official links; attachments are not copied

No document links were published on the notice.