Public procurement notice: Contract Notice
Published: 2017-11-16
Buyer: Ministry of Defence, Land Equipment, Training and Simulation Systems Programme (TSSP)
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Negotiated procedure
CPV classification: 35700000: Military electronic systems | 35740000 | 72317000: Data storage services | 80660000
Estimated value: 20000000 GBP
Submission deadline: 2018-01-18
Award criteria: The most economic tender

Technical requirements: Battle simulators. Military electronic systems. Training and simulation in military electronic systems. Data storage services. Battle simulators.
The Army Headquarters Single Statement of User Need (SSUN) which Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer (JFST) will deliver against is: ‘The user requires an intuitive, accessible and immersive training capability to assist in the delivery of Joint Fires training for contemporary operations at Individual and Collective levels, in both the mounted and dismounted roles.’
A summary of the JFST requirement can be found in document ‘20171106-JFST-DPQQ-Industry Brief-O’ as an attached Supporting Document to the DPQQ.
It is anticipated that the initial contract duration shall run for 5 years from April 2019 until end of March 2024. Also, that the Authority shall have irrevocable options to extend the contract up to a further 6 years until end of March 2030.
In issuing this Contract Notice and engaging with the Market, the Authority is not committing to carrying out any procurement in relation to the requirements stated in this Notice. If third parties are interested in engaging with the Authority in relation to the requirements stated here they must do so without sharing information that is protected by copyright or patents.
JFST seeks to improve the training capability delivered to the Army — it will replace existing training capabilities currently provided by Distributed Synthetic Air Land Training 2 (DSALT2) and the immersive Close Air Support Simulator (iCASS) at Joint Forward Air Controller Training and Standards Unit (JFACTSU), as well as other obsolete and unsupported capabilities.
JFST will provide an immersive Joint Fires (JF) training capability, able to train JF integrators in both mounted and dismounted roles, across Land, Littoral and Air domains and at individual and collective levels. This simulated training environment will enable realistic and complex training that cannot be conducted live on the UK training estate, thus maintaining operational effectiveness.
It will enable continuation of simulated JF integration training following the obsolescence of current systems. The system is to be based on Army 2020 refine structures (http://www.army.mod.uk/structure/33449.aspx), incorporating both mounted and dismounted JF integration capabilities, whilst capitalising on an open architecture and System of Systems Approach (SOSA) to enable flexibility in future upgrades, and future connectivity of wider Defence and international capabilities.
The requirement is to provide the training media, and associated support, to provide a series of scalable capabilities for each phase of the JF training pipeline designed to fit the needs of the training audience.
It should seek to adopt a ‘Building Block’ approach to provide a training capability at a number of locations. The required locations include Phase 3 career development establishments, at the Royal School of Artillery (RSA) and JFACTSU; the capability for individual and Collective Training (CT) levels 1&2 at Unit lines (up to 15 locations); a CT3 establishment that is supported by a Training and Management Team (TMT); and to have a mobilised capability to support Reserves training, support to live training exercises and potential to train on the Queen Elizabeth Class Carriers.
The JFST capability will provide coherence for the training audience as they gain familiarity with the systems and confidence as the training equipment matches the in-service equipment. JFST may require elements of Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) simulation rather than focusing on just the virtual space.
The JFST dependency and stakeholder lists are extensive and varied and it is anticipated that integration into existing, new and contemporary capabilities will form an extensive part of the project.
JFST will comply with The Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 (SDSR 15), Defence Policy for Simulation, Defence Strategic Direction, Defence Training and Education Coherence (DTEC), SOSA and Training Education Architecture (Land) (TEA(L)).
It is currently envisaged that a single contract will be awarded for the provision of Equipment, Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), Post Design Services (PDS) and provision of a Training Management Team (TMT) for CT3 training.
The system shall facilitate the execution and real-time management of the synthetic environment and training events, manage security restrictions across different classification domains and also provide the ability to review each training event, enabling near real-time feedback for trainees.

Eligibility requirements: (a) Appropriate statements from the economic operator's bankers or where appropriate, evidence of relevant professional risk indemnity insurance (b) The presentation of balance-sheets or extracts from the balance-sheets, where publication of the balance-sheet is required under the law of the country in which the economic operator is established (c) where appropriate, a statement, covering the three previous financial years of the economic operator, of:(i) the overall turnover of the business of the economic operator; and (ii) where appropriate, the turnover in respect of the work, works, goods or services which are of a similar type to the subject matter of the contract. Evidence of appropriate professional risk indemnity; at least 2 years certified audited accounts in statutory form, profit and loss account and balance sheet; statement of overall turnover to be provided with DPQQ. A financial assessment will be undertaken on the supplier’s financial status. An overall pass / fail judgement will be made after considering areas such as turnover, profit, net assets, liquidity, gearing and capacity. This assessment will include the Parent company where applicable. An independent financial assessment obtained from a reputable credit rating organisation will be utilised as part of this process.
The estimated average annual contract value is £10M. If the estimated average annual contract value is greater than 25 % of the supplier's turnover, the Authority reserves the right to exclude the supplier from being selected to tender except where the supplier provides, to the satisfaction of the Authority, evidence showing it has sufficient economic and financial capability, e.g. such evidence may include: (1) Any additional information proving it has sufficient economic and financial resources to deliver the requirement; and (2) State whether the supplier is willing to provide the Authority with an indemnity, guarantee or bank bond. A financial assessment will be undertaken on the supplier's financial status. An overall pass / fail judgement will be made after considering areas such as turnover, profit, net assets, liquidity, gearing and capacity. This assessment will include the Parent company where applicable. An independent financial assessment obtained from a reputable credit rating organisation will be utilised as part of this process.
(a) in the case of a supply contract requiring the siting or installation of goods, a services contract or a works contract, the economic operator's technical ability, taking into account in particular that economic operator's skills, efficiency, experience and reliability (c) a statement of the principal goods sold or services provided by the supplier or the services provider in the past five years, or during a shorter period if necessary, and: (i) the dates on which the goods were sold or the services provided; (ii) the consideration received; (iii) the identity of the person to whom the goods were sold or the service were provided; (iv) any certificate issued or countersigned by that person confirming the details of the contract for those goods sold or services provided; and (v) where - (a)that person was not a contracting authority, and (b)the certificate referred to in sub-paragraph (c)(iv) is not available, any declaration by the economic operator attesting the details of the goods sold or services provided (d) a statement of the technicians or technical services available to the economic operator to: (i) carry out the work under the contract, or (ii) be involved in the production of goods or the provision of services under the contract, particularly those responsible for quality control, whether or not they are independent of the economic operator (e) a statement of the economic operator's: (i) technical facilities; (ii) measures for ensuring quality; (iii) study and research facilities; and (iv) internal rules regarding intellectual property (f) a check carried out by the contracting authority or on its behalf by a competent official body of the member State in which the economic operator is established: (i) on the technical capacity of the economic operator; and (ii) if relevant, on the economic operator's study and research facilities and quality control measures (g) in the case of works contracts, services contracts or supply contracts also covering siting and installation operations or services, the economic operator's educational and professional qualifications where the economic operator is an individual and: (i) if any, those of the economic operator's managerial staff; and (ii) those of one or more persons who would be responsible for providing the services or carrying out the work or works under the contract (h) the environmental management measures, that the economic operator is able to apply when performing the contract, but only where it is necessary for the performance of that contract (i) a statement of the services provider's or contractor's average annual number of staff and managerial staff over the previous three years (j) a description of the tools, material, technical equipment, staff numbers, know-how and sources of supply (with an indication of their geographical location when it is outside the territory of the EU) available to the economic operator to perform the contract, cope with any additional needs required by the contracting authority as a result of a crisis or carry out the maintenance, modernisation or adaptation of the goods covered by the contract (k) any samples, descriptions and photographs of the goods to be purchased or hired under the contract and certification of the authenticity of such samples, descriptions or photographs (l) certification by official quality control institutes or agencies of recognised competence, attesting that the goods to be purchased or hired under the contract conform to standards and technical specifications (within the meaning of regulation 12(1)) identified by the contracting authority (m) in the case of contracts involving, entailing or containing classified information, evidence of the ability to process, store and transmit such information at the level of protection required by the contracting authority (n) a certificate: (i) attesting conformity to quality management systems standards based on the relevant European standard; and (ii) from an independent accredited body established in any member State conforming to the European standards concerning accreditation and certification (o) any other evidence of conformity to quality management systems standards which are equivalent to the standards referred to in sub-paragraph (n)(i) This information will be sought through the Dynamic Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. A Facility Security Clearance is required for the main contractor, at a minimum capacity level of UK SECRET for the safeguarding of classified information.
(a) in the case of a supply contract requiring the siting or installation of goods, a services contract or a works contract, the economic operator's technical ability, taking into account in particular that economic operator's skills, efficiency, experience and reliability (c) a statement of the principal goods sold or services provided by the supplier or the services provider in the past five years, or during a shorter period if necessary, and: (i) the dates on which the goods were sold or the services provided; (ii) the consideration received; (iii) the identity of the person to whom the goods were sold or the service were provided; (iv) any certificate issued or countersigned by that person confirming the details of the contract for those goods sold or services provided; and (v) where - (a)that person was not a contracting authority, and (b)the certificate referred to in sub-paragraph (c)(iv) is not available, any declaration by the economic operator attesting the details of the goods sold or services provided (d) a statement of the technicians or technical services available to the economic operator to: (i) carry out the work under the contract, or (ii) be involved in the production of goods or the provision of services under the contract, particularly those responsible for quality control, whether or not they are independent of the economic operator (e) a statement of the economic operator's: (i) technical facilities; (ii) measures for ensuring quality; (iii) study and research facilities; and (iv) internal rules regarding intellectual property (f) a check carried out by the contracting authority or on its behalf by a competent official body of the member State in which the economic operator is established: (i) on the technical capacity of the economic operator; and (ii) if relevant, on the economic operator's study and research facilities and quality control measures (g) in the case of works contracts, services contracts or supply contracts also covering siting and installation operations or services, the economic operator's educational and professional qualifications where the economic operator is an individual and: (i) if any, those of the economic operator's managerial staff; and (ii) those of one or more persons who would be responsible for providing the services or carrying out the work or works under the contract (h) the environmental management measures, that the economic operator is able to apply when performing the contract, but only where it is necessary for the performance of that contract (i) a statement of the services provider's or contractor's average annual number of staff and managerial staff over the previous three years (j) a description of the tools, material, technical equipment, staff numbers, know-how and sources of supply (with an indication of their geographical location when it is outside the territory of the EU) available to the economic operator to perform the contract, cope with any additional needs required by the contracting authority as a result of a crisis or carry out the maintenance, modernisation or adaptation of the goods covered by the contract (k) any samples, descriptions and photographs of the goods to be purchased or hired under the contract and certification of the authenticity of such samples, descriptions or photographs (l) certification by official quality control institutes or agencies of recognised competence, attesting that the goods to be purchased or hired under the contract conform to standards and technical specifications (within the meaning of regulation 12(1)) identified by the contracting authority (m) in the case of contracts involving, entailing or containing classified information, evidence of the ability to process, store and transmit such information at the level of protection required by the contracting authority (n) a certificate: (i) attesting conformity to quality management systems standards based on the relevant European standard; and (ii) from an independent accredited body established in any member State conforming to the European standards concerning accreditation and certification (o) any other evidence of conformity to quality management systems standards which are equivalent to the standards referred to in sub-paragraph (n)(i) This information will be sought through the Dynamic Pre-Qualification Questionnaire.
A Facility Security Clearance is required for the main contractor, at a minimum capacity level of UK SECRET for the safeguarding of classified information.
The main contractor will be required to provide evidence of its subcontractor's ability to process, store and transmit classified information at UK SECRET by describing the required Facility Security Clearance (FSC) granted by its National or Designated Security Authority.
The Authority reserves the right under Article 21(5) of Directive 2009/81/EC to reject any subcontractor chosen by the main contractor at any stage of the contract award procedure or during performance of the contract if that subcontractor: (1) requires access to classified information at UK SECRET; and (2) fails to provide evidence to the satisfaction of the Authority that it has the capability to protect that level of classified information in accordance with Article 42.1(j) of Directive 2009/81/EC.