Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2020-01-28
Buyer: UK Research and Innovation — British Antarctic Survey
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Open procedure
CPV classification: 60400000: Air transport services | 63000000 | 73000000
Estimated value: 350000 GBP
Submission deadline: 2020-03-06
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: BAS wishes to engage the services of a capable technical advisory service. This will require the selected provider to work in close collaboration with its air capability project management team and it’s air unit, both of whom are located at the BAS main offices in Cambridge, England. This technical support is likely to be required over a period of 3 to 5 years.
UK Research and Innovation, British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET.
The British Antarctic Survey (BAS), an institute of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) – part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) – delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the polar regions. Through its extensive logistic capability and experience, BAS facilitates access for the international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure, help sustain a world-leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs.
BAS is currently carrying out a major programme of Antarctic infrastructure and logistics modernisation. This programme includes the introduction into service of the new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, re-development of the science research station at Rothera, Antarctica, facility up-grades at Subantarctica research stations also the commissioning of a new air capability to support science into the future. Collectively the programme is referred to as the Antarctic Modernisation Infrastructure Programme (AIMP).
For passenger and cargo transportation to Rothera science research station, BAS operates an intercontinental airbridge operation deploying a Havilland Canada DHC-7 Series 110 (Dash 7) aircraft. Alongside its regular use groups, the airbridge is utilised by personnel involved in the construction projects.
With the AIMP carrying out significant construction activity between 2019 and 2024 at Rothera science research station there is a challenging increase in demand on the current operation. In response to this, BAS is seeking now seeking to replace the Dash 7, including the support and services required to operate it within BAS operations.
At present an overall air capability solution is yet to be fully defined however commencing in 2020, subject to funding, it is anticipated that BAS will be seeking to procure a new aircraft via a formal competitive tendering exercise. It is anticipated that the procurement exercise will commence in the summer of 2020 with a view to procuring a suitable aircraft for operational deployment in 2022/23.
To take this solution forward, BAS wishes to engage the services of a capable technical advisory service. This will require the selected provider to work in close collaboration with its air capability project management team and it’s air unit, both of whom are located at the BAS main offices in Cambridge, England. This technical support is likely to be required over a period of 3 to 5 years. The following statement of requirements sets out the scope of support required. This may be subject to change during this period depending on the particular air solution that is decided upon during the procurement.
All submissions will be assessed in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, for procurement values that exceed Regulation 5 (Threshold amounts).
Responses must be received by the date in the tender documentation, responses received outside of the deadline or not sent via the Delta eSourcing portal will not be accepted or considered further for this opportunity.
As a user of the Delta eSourcing Portal you will have access to the Delta messaging service which facilitates all messages sent to you and from you in relation to any specific tender event. Please note it is your responsibility to access these messages on a regular basis to ensure you have sight of all relevant information applicable to this opportunity.
(i) not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice; and
(ii) to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the procurement and in no circumstances will the contracting authority be liable for any costs incurred by the candidates. If the contracting authority decides to enter into a contract with the successful supplier, this does not mean that there is any guarantee of subsequent contracts being awarded. Any expenditure, work or effort undertaken prior to contract award is accordingly a matter solely for the commercial judgement of bidders. UK Shared Business Services Ltd wishes to establish an agreement for use by the following UK public sector bodies (and any future successors to these organisations)
UK Shared Business Services Ltd are able to accept unstructured electronic invoicing. Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if requirements are met:
All submissions will be assessed in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, for procurement values that exceed Regulation 5 (Threshold amounts).


Award value: 350000