Weapons Ordnance Munitions and Explosives Technical Assurance Capability
This informal market sounding therefore seeks to identify organisations from a broad cross-section of potential suppliers at this stage, on a non-committal basis, in order to explore options for future contracting strategies.
UK-Bristol: test and evaluation
2012/S 203-334033
Prior information notice
Services
Directive 2004/18/EC
Section I: Contracting authority
I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)
TEST IPT, DE&S
Fir 3b, #4310, MoD Abbey Wood
Contact point(s): DES Wpns-DeTECT-ComrclTL
For the attention of: Jilly Hamblin
BS34 8JH Bristol
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44 3067937410
E-mail: deswpns-detect-comrcltl@mod.uk
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
Defence
I.4)Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities
The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: no
Section II.B: Object of the contract (Supplies or services)
II.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:
Weapons Ordnance Munitions and Explosives Technical Assurance (WOME TA) Capability – Informal Market Sounding.
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 MoD has a long term requirement for the provision of an independent WOME TA capability to support the introduction into service of new WOME and the through life management of its existing WOME inventory. Independent in this case means conducting technical assurance activities using an authority which is independent of the original manufacturer/supplier of the WOME.
The WOME TA capability will ensure that new WOME is safe, suitable for service, and functions as intended and when intended. Through life management of WOME ensures that it remains safe and suitable for service, functioning as intended, and when intended throughout its life up to disposal.
The value of MoD work in this area is in excess of £6M per annum and is currently contracted via separate tasking comprising on average 700 individual tasks pa. The MoD is therefore considering a more efficient and sustainable contracting strategy.
This informal market sounding therefore seeks to identify organisations from a broad cross-section of potential suppliers at this stage, on a non-committal basis, in order to explore options for future contracting strategies.
Responses to this publication should indicate to what extent they can conduct each of the 13 WOME TA processes set out below. Evidence supplied should be limited to an A4 page overview and 1 A4 page per process. Evidence should include details on access to the necessary SQEP (Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel) and facilities. Evidence to be considered includes number of SQEP, size of facility in terms of NEQ (Net Explosive Quantity) limit, physical size of facility, minimum and maximum physical size of WOME item that can be handled, key equipment and the ability to perform the processes concurrently.
— The range of WOME items varies greatly in size and complexity but the NEQ ranges from grams up to 250Kg,
— Some of this work is security classified and could be above “Restricted”,
— JSP 520 (UK MoD’s Ordnance Munitions & Explosives Safety and Environmental Management) states policy and guidance relevant to the supply of this capability.
In defining its requirements and benefits for the WOME TA activities the MoD has identified the 13 processes below:
1. Non-Destructive Examination – the ability to produce images of the WOME item, both internal and external imaging
2. Munitions Breakdown – breakdown and complete dismantling of munitions into their sub-assemblies and components.
3. Physical Analysis – physical and mechanical characterisation of energetic materials.
4. Chemical Analysis – chemical characterisation of propellants, high explosives, initiators, pyrotechnics and improvised explosives.
5. Electronics Analysis – Analysis and production (prototype) of electronic devices associated with WOME.
6. Energetic Material Synthesis, Prototyping and Manufacture – preparation of models and prototypes, synthesis and manufacture of initiators, pyrotechnics, explosives, propellants and improvised explosives.
7. Non-Explosive Fabrication – manufacture items in small quantities to support WOME TA work.
8. Hazard Testing – hazard testing of energetic materials iaw EMTAP, AOP, STANAG, Def Stan
9. Range Testing – Explosively licensed range with associated instrumentation, conditioning chambers and control functions for the purposes of performance testing and evaluation of WOME and WOME components.
10. Environmental Testing – environmental testing of WOME items.
11. Systems Design & Assessment – systems design and assessment (including computer modelling and simulation) of a WOME trial / capability. This includes platform integration analysis and systems engineering.
12. Logistics – activities which include storage and transport of WOME items.
13. Free From Explosives Activity – safely remove and dispose of energetic materials from WOME. Certifying free from explosives
It should be noted that by issuing this notice and engaging informally with the market, the MoD is not committing to carry out any procurement in relation to this requirement of any sort in the future.
Parties interested in responding to this informal marketing sounding should notify the Notice Addressee stated above (preferably by email) no later than 23.11.2012.
The WOME TA capability will ensure that new WOME is safe, suitable for service, and functions as intended and when intended. Through life management of WOME ensures that it remains safe and suitable for service, functioning as intended, and when intended throughout its life up to disposal.
The value of MoD work in this area is in excess of £6M per annum and is currently contracted via separate tasking comprising on average 700 individual tasks pa. The MoD is therefore considering a more efficient and sustainable contracting strategy.
This informal market sounding therefore seeks to identify organisations from a broad cross-section of potential suppliers at this stage, on a non-committal basis, in order to explore options for future contracting strategies.
Responses to this publication should indicate to what extent they can conduct each of the 13 WOME TA processes set out below. Evidence supplied should be limited to an A4 page overview and 1 A4 page per process. Evidence should include details on access to the necessary SQEP (Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel) and facilities. Evidence to be considered includes number of SQEP, size of facility in terms of NEQ (Net Explosive Quantity) limit, physical size of facility, minimum and maximum physical size of WOME item that can be handled, key equipment and the ability to perform the processes concurrently.
— The range of WOME items varies greatly in size and complexity but the NEQ ranges from grams up to 250Kg,
— Some of this work is security classified and could be above “Restricted”,
— JSP 520 (UK MoD’s Ordnance Munitions & Explosives Safety and Environmental Management) states policy and guidance relevant to the supply of this capability.
In defining its requirements and benefits for the WOME TA activities the MoD has identified the 13 processes below:
1. Non-Destructive Examination – the ability to produce images of the WOME item, both internal and external imaging
2. Munitions Breakdown – breakdown and complete dismantling of munitions into their sub-assemblies and components.
3. Physical Analysis – physical and mechanical characterisation of energetic materials.
4. Chemical Analysis – chemical characterisation of propellants, high explosives, initiators, pyrotechnics and improvised explosives.
5. Electronics Analysis – Analysis and production (prototype) of electronic devices associated with WOME.
6. Energetic Material Synthesis, Prototyping and Manufacture – preparation of models and prototypes, synthesis and manufacture of initiators, pyrotechnics, explosives, propellants and improvised explosives.
7. Non-Explosive Fabrication – manufacture items in small quantities to support WOME TA work.
8. Hazard Testing – hazard testing of energetic materials iaw EMTAP, AOP, STANAG, Def Stan
9. Range Testing – Explosively licensed range with associated instrumentation, conditioning chambers and control functions for the purposes of performance testing and evaluation of WOME and WOME components.
10. Environmental Testing – environmental testing of WOME items.
11. Systems Design & Assessment – systems design and assessment (including computer modelling and simulation) of a WOME trial / capability. This includes platform integration analysis and systems engineering.
12. Logistics – activities which include storage and transport of WOME items.
13. Free From Explosives Activity – safely remove and dispose of energetic materials from WOME. Certifying free from explosives
It should be noted that by issuing this notice and engaging informally with the market, the MoD is not committing to carry out any procurement in relation to this requirement of any sort in the future.
Parties interested in responding to this informal marketing sounding should notify the Notice Addressee stated above (preferably by email) no later than 23.11.2012.
II.5)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
73430000
II.6)Scheduled date for start of award procedures
23.11.2012
II.7)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): yes
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
The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
VI.2)Additional information:
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 GO Reference: GO-20121016-DCB-4321399.
VI.3)Information on general regulatory framework
VI.4)Date of dispatch of this notice:16.10.2012