Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2021-10-29
Buyer: The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation
Country: DK
Contract type: Supplies
Procedure: Negotiated procedure
CPV classification: 35000000: Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment | 35710000: Command and control systems | 35720000: Intelligence and surveillance systems | 50334400
Estimated value: 150000000 DKK
Submission deadline: 2021-11-29
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: The Framework Agreement will have a duration of 7 (seven) years with the possibility of renewal 4 (four) times: 1 (one) for 7 (seven) years and 3 (three) for each 2 (two) years (7 + 7 + 2 + 2 + 2). The total duration of 20 (twenty) years is justified in particular on the following grounds:
a) The VCS has an expected life time of 20 (twenty) years and needs to be maintained throughout all 20 (twenty) years to ensure the VCS meet the operational requirements. If the VCS is  not fully functional, and consequently does not meet the operational requirements, this will lead to negative effects on the execution of the operational tasks of the armed forces and may have an impact on Denmark’s security situation, which is not acceptable;
b) DALO‘s knowledge of the market shows that it is not possible to have another/third party economic operator maintaining the VCS without disproportionate technical difficulties, because maintenance of the VCS requires detailed technical insight of the VCS. Detailed technical insight is anticipated to be a major challenge and will be difficult to master for a third party. Furthermore, DALO has extensive requirements for continuous operation, in the planned lifespan of the VCS and insufficient knowledge of an external supplier concerning the VCS may impact negatively on the fulfillment of the availability of the VCS, which is unacceptable to DALO.
This Contract Notice concerns DALO´s award of an Acquisition Contract, with a Sustainment Framework Agreement, for the procurement of a VCS, including sustainment, i.e. development, implementation, maintenance and support during its life time (20 years).
In order to facilitate both the acquisition and the sustainment, the procurement comprised by this Contract Notice includes two main contractual agreements: an Acquisition Contract and a Sustainment Framework Agreement (together the “Contract”). These two agreements are mutually dependent and shall be seen together as a whole regulating the contractual relations between the winning supplier and DALO.
The VCS shall facilitate voice communication between ground operational centers and other ground based operational entities as well as communication to and from aircrafts and vessels. The VCS will be used intensively and on a continuous basis (24/7/365) by the Danish Defence, including and foremost the Royal Danish Navy in relation to maritime surface surveillance and the Royal Danish Air Force for air surveillance, air battle management and Command and Control.
Consequently, it is of utmost importance that the VCS and its functionalities operate with a high level of availability. Furthermore, in order for the VCS to efficiently contribute to the missions and operations within the span of tasks under the Danish Defence, the VCS must have the following functionalities and characteristics:
The VCS shall be scalable in terms of the number of centers, users and radios, the types of radios and services. The VCS is to be installed in Denmark on approx. 40 remote radio sites and 5 operational centers, one Test and School System, and one Reference System for reproduction of problems and test of software updates. Each radio site may have different types of radios allocated including HF, VHF, UHF and TETRA radios. Furthermore, the VCS shall integrate a voice recording system and a Cisco Call Manager based IP-telephone system operated by the Danish Defence (GFE).
The VCS shall be security accredited to the classification level NATO SECRET and the Danish classification level HEMMELIGT. It is noted that NATO SECRET and HEMMELIGT is two individual accreditation approvals.
The VCS’ primary function is to interconnect radios, telephone systems, intercom and public announcement systems. Besides the VCS’ primary function, the VCS shall be able to separate voice communication in minimum two security domains up to and including the classification levels NATO SECRET and HEMMELIGT.
The VCS shall have a dedicated management system. VCS system components shall be capable of being used in all locations with an available IP infrastructure, including satellite links with high latency. The VCS shall be based on End-to-End IP architecture.
The VCS will be using DALO’s own government furnished equipment (GFE), including IP-WAN, cryptographic devices and Voice Recorders and shall be designed to integrate a wide range of different types of radios. TEMPEST modified equipment is also required at selected locations of the VCS.
As part of the Contract, the supplier shall deliver system documentation and technical maintenance documentation for the VCS. Furthermore, the supplier shall deliver initial training and education for all kinds of users, including operators, system administrators and super-users.
During the expected lifetime of the VCS, DALO shall be able to acquire development and repair services and maintenance, including the possibility to acquire spare parts as well as off site and on site technical support. As part of these deliverables, the supplier shall ensure that the system documentation and the technical maintenance documentation are kept updated continuously. On request, DALO shall be able to acquire training and education for all kinds of users, including operators, system administrators and super-users, remote radio site technicians as well as tailor made courses. Furthermore, the Supplier shall host a Reference system at a location in Denmark.
The duration of the Sustainment Framework Agreement may be extended up to 4 (four) times: 1 (one) for 7 (seven) years and 3 (three) for each 2 (two) years (maximum of 20 (twenty) years in total), cf. section II.2.3) below.

Eligibility requirements: Annual reports or excerpts thereof or other documentation stating the candidate’s annual turnover for the last 3 (three) financial years, if publication of annual reports is required under the law of the country in which the candidate is established, and to the extent such information is available.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: The candidate must have had an annual turnover of at least DKK 200,000,000 in each of the last 3 (three) financial years. If the turnover is not stated in said currency, DALO will calculate the turnover based on the official exchange rate on the date this notice was published. If the candidate is composed of a group of entities (e.g. a consortium), including temporary joint ventures, the annual turnover is calculated as the sum of all the participants’ annual turnover in each of the last 3 (three) financial years available. If the candidate relies on the economic and financial standing of an entity or entities, the annual turnover will be calculated as the sum of the candidate’s annual turnover and the entity or entities’ annual turnover in each of the last 3 (three) financial years available.
1) Demonstration of experience: The candidates shall submit a list of deliveries that are considered most relevant in relation to similar deliveries (references), cf. section II 1.5), carried out prior to the deadline for the request to participate. The list must contain a maximum of 5 (five) previous deliveries, regardless of whether the candidate is one entity, composed of a group of entities (e.g. a consortium), including temporary joint ventures, or relies on the technical and professional capacity of other entities. If the list contains more than 5, DALO will only consider the first 5 deliveries on the list. Deliveries beyond that will be disregarded. Each reference (delivery) should be presented by a description specifically prepared by the candidate for the application for participation. Consequently, DALO encourages the candidates not to include any attachments or other separate documents to the description (for instance, in the form of general presentations, cover letters or other general descriptions of the delivery covered by the reference in question). Only deliveries (references) that have been completed, i.e. where all deliverables (excluding any support deliveries) have been completed to the customer in question, at the time of the deadline for the request to participate will be considered when assessing if the minimum requirement for suitability stated below is fulfilled and which candidate that has documented the most relevant previous deliveries, cf. section IV.1.2). If the delivery in question is ongoing (e.g. is being delivered under a framework agreement), only the part of the deliverables that has been completed at the time of the deadline for the request to participate will be considered when assessing if the minimum requirement for suitability stated below is fulfilled and which candidate that has documented the most relevant previous deliveries, cf. section IV.1.2). As a consequence of the above mentioned, it is important that the candidate clearly states the relevant dates of the deliveries and, with regard to an ongoing delivery, which part of the delivery that has been completed. The list of the most important similar deliveries is expected to include the following information regarding each delivery: - The name of the delivery, including information regarding volume and value. - The date of the deliveries (when specifying the date for the deliveries, the candidate should state the date for the commencement and completion of the deliveries, including possible date(s) for completed Factory Acceptance Test (FAT or equivalent), Site Acceptance Test (SAT or equivalent), and date(s) for putting the VCS into operation. - the recipient of the delivery (specific names/countries are preferred, alternatively as much generic information regarding the recipient as possible. - information about what national and/or National security classification level the delivery has been accredited to. - a high level description of the delivery, including all information the candidate finds relevant in order for DALO to identify similarities to the Contract/purchase described in section II.1.5). This should include, but is not limited to, information regarding the following topics: a) the intended use of the delivery, b) number of operating and supportive centers, connected radios and radio types, users, domains, voice separation in more domains, and inclusion of GFE, c) relevant information regarding approval with regards to NATO STANAG SDIP 27 and TEMPEST level, and d) information regarding appertaining services delivered with regards to sustainment and development. Please note that any ambiguities and/or unclear descriptions in the information submitted may be regarded negatively in DALO’s assessment of the delivery (reference). Please note that a candidate may rely on the technical and professional capacity of other entities (e.g. a parent or sister company or a sub supplier), irrespective of the legal nature of the relations between the candidate and the entity or entities on which the candidate relies. 2) Security clearance: The candidate shall submit a declaration as evidence of the candidate’s facility security clearance. The declaration shall include information regarding the facility security clearance sufficient for DALO/DDIS to verify the validity of the stated facility security clearance, and should include the following information: -	Name and origin of the issuing NSA/DSA/NATO unit -	Particulars of the NSA/DSA/NATO unit (contact details, point of contact who is available for the inquiry of DALO/DDIS, etc.) (the candidate hereby confirms that the point of contact has been informed of the potential inquiry (in English) from DALO/DDIS), -	The name and level of the issued facility security clearance (including the case/file number which can be used for inquiries), -	The duration of the facility security clearance (issuing date and expiration date), -	Other possible information or description relevant for the DALO/DDIS verification of the facility security clearance. DALO has prepared a template (template 6 to the PQQ, cf. section IV.1.3 below) which can be used as the required declaration. If the candidate is composed of a group of entities (e.g. a consortium), including temporary joint ventures, each participant must submit said declaration. 1) Demonstration of experience: The candidate shall demonstrate experience with at least 1 (one) completed delivery of a VCS that is able to separate voice communication in 2 (two) or more domains. The VCS shall be approved/accredited to either the classification level NATO SECRET, the Danish classification level HEMMELIGT, or an equivalent national classification level. 2) Facility security clearance The candidate shall hold a facility security clearance at a minimum classification level NATO RESTRICTED or the Danish classification level TIL TJENESTEBRUG, or another national classification level equivalent to TIL TJENESTEBRUG at the time of the deadline for the request to participate. DALO will accept a facility security clearance issued by the National Security Authority/Designated Security Authority (NSA/DSA) in the country in which the candidate is located. However, DALO reserves the right to ask the DDIS (Danish Defence Intelligence Service) to verify whether or not the facility security clearance stated by the tenderer is in fact in DDIS’ view equivalent to the classification level NATO RESTRICTED or TIL TJENESTEBRUG. Reference is made to section III.1.4) and Annex X and the fact, that the supplier will be contractual obligated to obtain a facility security clearance at a higher level than required by the minimum requirement stated in this section III.2.3), point 2. If the candidate is composed of a group of entities (e.g. a consortium), including temporary joint ventures, each participant must hold the required security clearance.
1) Demonstration of experience: The candidates shall submit a list of deliveries that are considered most relevant in relation to similar deliveries (references), cf. section II 1.5), carried out prior to the deadline for the request to participate. The list must contain a maximum of 5 (five) previous deliveries, regardless of whether the candidate is one entity, composed of a group of entities (e.g. a consortium), including temporary joint ventures, or relies on the technical and professional capacity of other entities. If the list contains more than 5, DALO will only consider the first 5 deliveries on the list. Deliveries beyond that will be disregarded. Each reference (delivery) should be presented by a description specifically prepared by the candidate for the application for participation. Consequently, DALO encourages the candidates not to include any attachments or other separate documents to the description (for instance, in the form of general presentations, cover letters or other general descriptions of the delivery covered by the reference in question). Only deliveries (references) that have been completed, i.e. where all deliverables (excluding any support deliveries) have been completed to the customer in question, at the time of the deadline for the request to participate will be considered when assessing if the minimum requirement for suitability stated below is fulfilled and which candidate that has documented the most relevant previous deliveries, cf. section IV.1.2). If the delivery in question is ongoing (e.g. is being delivered under a framework agreement), only the part of the deliverables that has been completed at the time of the deadline for the request to participate will be considered when assessing if the minimum requirement for suitability stated below is fulfilled and which candidate that has documented the most relevant previous deliveries, cf. section IV.1.2). As a consequence of the above mentioned, it is important that the candidate clearly states the relevant dates of the deliveries and, with regard to an ongoing delivery, which part of the delivery that has been completed. The list of the most important similar deliveries is expected to include the following information regarding each delivery: - The name of the delivery, including information regarding volume and value. - The date of the deliveries (when specifying the date for the deliveries, the candidate should state the date for the commencement and completion of the deliveries, including possible date(s) for completed Factory Acceptance Test (FAT or equivalent), Site Acceptance Test (SAT or equivalent), and date(s) for putting the VCS into operation. - the recipient of the delivery (specific names/countries are preferred, alternatively as much generic information regarding the recipient as possible. - information about what national and/or National security classification level the delivery has been accredited to. - a high level description of the delivery, including all information the candidate finds relevant in order for DALO to identify similarities to the Contract/purchase described in section II.1.5). This should include, but is not limited to, information regarding the following topics: a) the intended use of the delivery, b) number of operating and supportive centers, connected radios and radio types, users, domains, voice separation in more domains, and inclusion of GFE, c) relevant information regarding approval with regards to NATO STANAG SDIP 27 and TEMPEST level, and d) information regarding appertaining services delivered with regards to sustainment and development. Please note that any ambiguities and/or unclear descriptions in the information submitted may be regarded negatively in DALO’s assessment of the delivery (reference). Please note that a candidate may rely on the technical and professional capacity of other entities (e.g. a parent or sister company or a sub supplier), irrespective of the legal nature of the relations between the candidate and the entity or entities on which the candidate relies. 2) Security clearance: The candidate shall submit a declaration as evidence of the candidate’s facility security clearance. The declaration shall include information regarding the facility security clearance sufficient for DALO/DDIS to verify the validity of the stated facility security clearance, and should include the following information: -	Name and origin of the issuing NSA/DSA/NATO unit -	Particulars of the NSA/DSA/NATO unit (contact details, point of contact who is available for the inquiry of DALO/DDIS, etc.) (the candidate hereby confirms that the point of contact has been informed of the potential inquiry (in English) from DALO/DDIS), -	The name and level of the issued facility security clearance (including the case/file number which can be used for inquiries), -	The duration of the facility security clearance (issuing date and expiration date), -	Other possible information or description relevant for the DALO/DDIS verification of the facility security clearance. DALO has prepared a template (template 6 to the PQQ, cf. section IV.1.3 below) which can be used as the required declaration. If the candidate is composed of a group of entities (e.g. a consortium), including temporary joint ventures, each participant must submit said declaration.
1) Demonstration of experience: The candidate shall demonstrate experience with at least 1 (one) completed delivery of a VCS that is able to separate voice communication in 2 (two) or more domains. The VCS shall be approved/accredited to either the classification level NATO SECRET, the Danish classification level HEMMELIGT, or an equivalent national classification level. 2) Facility security clearance The candidate shall hold a facility security clearance at a minimum classification level NATO RESTRICTED or the Danish classification level TIL TJENESTEBRUG, or another national classification level equivalent to TIL TJENESTEBRUG at the time of the deadline for the request to participate. DALO will accept a facility security clearance issued by the National Security Authority/Designated Security Authority (NSA/DSA) in the country in which the candidate is located. However, DALO reserves the right to ask the DDIS (Danish Defence Intelligence Service) to verify whether or not the facility security clearance stated by the tenderer is in fact in DDIS’ view equivalent to the classification level NATO RESTRICTED or TIL TJENESTEBRUG. Reference is made to section III.1.4) and Annex X and the fact, that the supplier will be contractual obligated to obtain a facility security clearance at a higher level than required by the minimum requirement stated in this section III.2.3), point 2. If the candidate is composed of a group of entities (e.g. a consortium), including temporary joint ventures, each participant must hold the required security clearance.

Award value: 150000000