Awarded Contract - MSG Prospector and MSG Plotter

Description

In 2021 the MAIB replaced access to a real-time Automatic Identification System (AIS) retrieval service lost following the UK withdrawal from the EU with a suite of products from Made Smart BV. Ships and boats broadcast their positions using the AIS system, and MAIB uses historic AIS data in the majority of its statutory investigations. Following comprehensive testing of available services, including governmental offerings available to MAIB, the only product that satisfied MAIB's operational needs was the Prospector and Plotter systems offered by Made Smart Group, and for this reason, Single Tender Authorisation was sought. We are not aware of any developments of existing products, or new products coming to market that meet MAIB's requirements to the extent of Made Smart's Prospector and Plotter products, for this reason STA is still justified. Made Smart Group's products are used extensively in civil litigation and arbitration proceedings and is competitively priced. MAIB has used the platform to great effect since 2021 and informal user feedback has been unanimously positive. The services scored far higher against MAIB's requirements matrix compared to alternative suppliers (about double), and its functionality far exceeds that of the system it replaced. In testing, we were impressed by the quality and extent of the data available and the ease with which data is professionally presented and interrogated. Additional side-benefits include weather data, viewing and query of electronic nautical charts, friendly and intelligent user experience, and excellent customer service. MAIB's investigations have greatly benefited from the use of Made Smart BV's products, which are now fully integrated into the investigation process.