TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3

Concepts

• salisbury
• military research and technology
• defence science and technology laboratory
• dstl
• uk ministry of defence
• twisted phases
• exploitation of the phase
• xi systems limited
• additional research
• defence science

Location

South West England:

Description

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract valued at up to £1,000,000.00 (EX VAT) with Xi Systems Limited ("the Contractor") to carry out additional research and development services and supplies on TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3, whereby the research requirement seeks to replace traditional magnetically operated changeover reed switches, often used as the main power control mechanism for a range of plastic enclosed operational equipment used in support to operations in challenging operational scenarios. Phase 1 successfully delivered a miniaturised solution in FY22/23. The Phase 2 & 3 research objective is focused on further enhancement to the capability by conducting research to increasing the operational range and upgrading the power handling capability of the switch. Subject to successful further development the Authority may procure a limited quantity of prototype systems. It is considered that this Contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication of a contract notice pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(c) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for the provision of Research and Development services, to which these Regulations apply. Any prototype systems to be purchased under this contract are not pre-production prototypes, and are to be manufactured solely for the purposes of research and development and are not being purchased for quantity production to establish commercial viability or to recover research and development costs. This proposed new contract will enable the Authority to ensure continued access to research and development services which enable exploitation of the Phase 1 system, including support of the Phase 1 system so that it can be exploited through rapid response tasks (RRTs) delivered through Dstl. Research and Development services are forecast to include technical services to research and resolve bug fixes, app maintenance and software and firmware updates. Research and Development services shall further look into the operational capability and feasibility in the context of next generation capability to ensure continued improvement.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 73410000 - Military research and technology

Legal Justification

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract with Xi Systems Limited ("the Contractor"). It is considered that this Contract can be placed using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication of a contract notice pursuant to Article 28(1)(e) of Directive 2009/81/EC (Regulation 16(1)(c)) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011) for the provision of Research and Development services not excluded under the Regulation 7(1)(l) R&D Exclusion. Xi Systems Limited successfully participated and won in a previous competitive tender process for the development of a Phase 1 prototype device. Through the contract previously placed for Phase 1, Xi Systems Limited own the IPR for TWiSTED and this contract now seeks to further develop the technology.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a Single Source Non-Qualifying Defence Contract with Xi Systems Limited ("the Contractor") to carry out TWiSTED Phases 2 & 3, which is a requirement to enhance the Phase 1 prototype to replace traditional magnetically operated changeover reed switches, often used as the main power control mechanism for a range of plastic enclosed operational equipment used in support to operations in challenging operational scenarios. Following a competitive tender process, the contractor has demonstrated that they have the necessary skills and expertise, knowledge and flexibility by successfully delivering a Phase 1 miniaturised solution in FY22/23. The original contract with the Contractor has now been successfully completed. This proposed new contract will enable the Authority to ensure continued support of the Phase 1 system so that it can be exploited through rapid response tasks (RRTs) delivered through Dstl. Support will include technical assistance, bug fixes, app maintenance and small software and firmware updates. Additionally, Research and Development will commence on the next generation capability to ensure continued improvement and Phase 2 & 3 is intended to enhance the capability further by increasing its range and upgrading the power handling capability of the switch. The output of this work is up to Official Sensitive. This notice is not a request for expressions of interest so please do not apply to be invited to tender. This notice advises that the Authority has decided to negotiate a contract with the named supplier on a single source basis, and is published for reasons of transparency. If you are interested in becoming a sub-contractor for this requirement, you should apply directly to the supplier named above.