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Suppliers invited to hear about opportunities in the defence sector

Ministry of Defence logoThe defence sector has recently published several opportunities which are available to Scottish SMEs, supported businesses and third sector organisations. Read this article to find out more.

MOD wants your opinion on GPS Trackers with Biometric Monitors, Maintenance and Connectivity

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is inviting suppliers to take part in a Request for Information (RFI) for GPS Trackers with Biometric Monitors, Maintenance and Connectivity.

MOD has invited suppliers to note interested in a future contract opportunity to help the Military move to a modern and innovative GPS tracking capability that informs Exercise Control (ExCon), compatible with monitors for early detection and prevention of heat injury, will allow Royal Navy and Royal Marine instructors to deploy trainees onto multi-terrain exercise areas with the minimum of supervision, and increased confidence in the ability to track and recover trainees as required.

The system should be capable of displaying individuals’ positions on digital mapping (OS or foreign equivalent) and provide an 8-figure grid reference of the trainee’s location. It must be simple to operate by military users and require minimal training. To maximise efficiency the system and its proposed connectivity must be compatible with current devices used. The concept should have the ability to bolt on options, such as airtime, licenses, and stagger delivery dates, to consolidate various contracts. An assisted system with third-party management is not acceptable.

Please note that this is not a bidding opportunity and just an information gathering exercise, no further discussions with the industry are planned at this stage. However, any future procurement activity will be advertised in line with the public procurement regulations on the Defence Sourcing Portal and Contracts Finder.

If you would like to take part in the Request for Information (RFI) for GPS Trackers with Biometric Monitors, Maintenance and Connectivity, please visit Contracts Finder for more information.

Progeny Maritime Research Framework (PMRF)

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL, an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence) is hosting an online webinar on Thursday 14 July from 10:00am – 12:00pm to inform suppliers of the upcoming Progeny Maritime Research Framework (PMRF).

The Progeny Maritime Research Framework underpins delivery of the UK’s Maritime Science and Technology capability from within DSTL and the wider MOD.

DSTL is looking to develop a diverse community of suppliers, including universities and academics, non-traditional defence suppliers, as well as the established defence primes, in order to stimulate innovation and to accelerate potential solutions through to concept demonstration.

If this framework sounds like something your business would be interested in, please register your free place with Eventbrite.

Accelerating Defence innovation: Meet DE&S Future Capability Group (FCG)

DSTL is also hosting an online event on 3 August, in partnership with the Defence Equipment and Support Future Capability Group (FCG), to discuss its role in the defence innovation ecosystem and the focus on acquisition approaches, key projects, current projects and how to get involved.

During this event, suppliers will also hear from DSTL’s commercial team who will explain how suppliers can get sell good and services to the organisation.

Over the next five years DSTL will be investing over £100m in the best and most promising new science and technologies, accelerating the development of novel and resilient defence communications, networks, and architectures, to meet the challenges of future military operations.

Defence is already facing the challenges of increased demand of data and information, with more sensors collecting more data, and increased speed of data analysis and decision making as a result of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. At the same time there is an increasing demand for communication resources due to the growth in novel battlefield assets, such as remote and autonomous systems, all requiring access to the electromagnetic spectrum for communications, command and control.

DSTL will be investing in potential solutions to these challenges, from the novel use of the electromagnetic spectrum, alternative communications mechanisms, adaptive and autonomous networks, and novel data routing algorithms, to improve the availability of secure information to military systems and decision makers at the time and place of need.

Supported from the Supplier Development Programme

Micro, small and medium sized businesses based in Scotland can access free tender training with the SDP to prepare for public sector tendering. If you are new to tendering, you don't have to wait for an opportunity to be published to build up your tendering skills. Check out the SDP Events Calendar to see upcoming training and events or learn at your own pace with SDP eLearning modules.

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