Research Aircraft Tender - Early Market Engagement

Research Aircraft Tender – Early Market Engagement

The current contractual arrangements come to an end in January 2015, it is envisaged that there will be a continued requirement of a large four engine aircraft, flight services and accommodation for a further 10 years. The Met Office and NERC would like to engage with the market to fully understand what can be achieved to meet our research and business requirements.

UK-Exeter: Air transport services

2013/S 007-007777

Prior information notice

Services

Directive 2004/18/EC

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)

Met Office
Procurement, Fitzroy Road
For the attention of: Jackie Bray
EX1 3PB Exeter
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44 1392885098
E-mail: jacqueline.bray@metoffice.gov.uk
Fax: +44 1133362431

Further information can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)

I.2)Type of the contracting authority

Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local sub-divisions

I.3)Main activity

Environment
Other: Meteorological Service and Climate research

I.4)Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities

The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: yes

Section II.B: Object of the contract (Supplies or services)

II.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:

Research aircraft – Early Market Engagement

II.2)Type of contract and place of delivery or of performance

Service category No 27: Other services

II.3)Information on framework agreement

II.4)Short description of nature and quantity or value of supplies or services:

The Met Office (MO) is a Trading Fund within the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), operating on a commercial basis under set targets. As the UK’s National Weather Service it provides a range of products and services to a large number of public and private sector organisations. It also represents the UK within the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and plays a prominent role in international meteorology.
The Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) is the UK’s main agency for funding and managing research, training and knowledge exchange in the environmental sciences. NERC is a non-departmental public body that receives annual funding from BIS.
For many years the Met Office have carried out airborne atmospheric research, since 2004 in partnership with the NERC both parties have funded a research aircraft facility the FAAM BA146-301. One of the world leading research aircraft the aircraft have not only contributed to significant science it has also played a key role in civil contingency events.
The current contractual arrangements come to an end in January 2015, it is envisaged that there will be a continued requirement of a large four engine aircraft, flight services and accommodation for a further 10 years. The Met Office and NERC would like to engage with the market to fully understand what can be achieved to meet our research and business requirements.
A supplier day will be held on 18.2.2013 at Cranfield Management Development Centre, the intention is to provide interested suppliers with an outline of the requirement and a tour of the aircraft and facilities.
If you are interested in this PIN please register your company details on the Met Office eTendering portal at this location: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/contracts
Once your registration has been accepted you will be able to express your interest in this requirement. Further technical information of the requirement is within the information pack attachment to the portal. Because numbers for the supplier day will be restricted we are requesting interested parties to complete the form at the back of the information pack and send it back via the e-tendering portal no later than 23.1.2013. Responses will be reviewed and suppliers who have the ability to deliver the requirements will then be invited to the supplier information day. Please contact Jackie Bray: jacqueline.bray@metoffice.gov.uk for any queries regarding this PIN.
Participation (or non participation) will not give any advantage or disadvantage should the Met Office proceed with formal procurement process at some future time.
Lots

This contract is divided into lots: no

II.5)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)

60400000

II.6)Scheduled date for start of award procedures

1.1.2015

II.7)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): no

II.8)Additional information:

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 governing them:

III.2)Conditions for participation

III.2.1)Information about reserved contracts

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.1)Information about European Union funds

VI.2)Additional information:

VI.3)Information on general regulatory framework

VI.4)Date of dispatch of this notice:8.1.2013