707770451 - Type 31 Through Life Support

2. Short description of the contract or purchase

The Ministry of Defence (the “Authority”) has a requirement proposed to provide award a through-life support solution for five (5) new Type 31 (“T31”) ‘Inspiration Class’ frigates for the Royal Navy (RN). These ships are intended to replace five general-purpose Type 23 frigates which have served the RN since the early 1990s. T31 will be at the heart of the RN’s surface fleet, deterring aggression and maintaining the security of the UK’s interests. They will work alongside our Allies to deliver credible UK warship presence across the globe. Flexible and adaptable by design, T31 frigates will undertake missions such as interception and disruption of those using the sea for unlawful purposes, collecting intelligence, conducting defence engagement and assisting those in need. The RN will therefore require an efficient and economically viable T31 support solution that achieves the high levels of availability required to sustain operations at the intensity and global range that the UK’s defence commitments demand. A contract covering for a minimum of an eight-year period with 2 additional option years x one year extension options seeking management and through-life support services for the five ‘Inspiration Class’ Type 31 (T31) frigates. Having reviewed the procurement and the changes to the programme context, commercial practicality, and enterprise support planning mean the assumptions underpinning the current T31 TLS competition no longer hold. Continuation is therefore not judged to be secured in the NA-M DM Contracting Authority’s best interests and delivered through a decision has been made to cancel further activity against this requirement. This notice announces the abandonment of this tender activity and is for the purposes of transparency only. This is not a request for expressions of interest. The requirement was advertised on behalf of the Authority on the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) and Find-a-Tender dated 29th November 2023 reference 2023/S 000-035211 under Contract Number 707770451-Type 31 Through Life Support-CN following the Competitive Negotiated procedure under DSPCR 2011. The aim is to create a collaborative, hybrid solution in order to optimise the availability Defence and operational service of all T31 frigates. The management and support requirements as part of this contract (but not limited to) have been grouped into the following sections: Manage the Service; Manage Maintenance; Manage the Supply Chain; Manage Design Services; Manage Engineering Services; Manage Support Information; Manage Safety, Environmental Protection and Security. Security Public Contract Regulations 2011.