Development of Maritime Experimentation Lab (MarExLab)

Description

Work done so far A SE has been developed to host and stimulate a number of 3rd party applications for testing and assessment purposes. The SE is currently constructed from VBS (providing scenario control), ODIN (providing underwater elements), SADM (providing above water elements) and Carmenta (providing visual output). Representative operational displays have also been produced to replicate functionality to enable user interaction using Carmenta and NEREUS software. The tracks from the SE are then distributed via a Data Distribution Service to installed applications which then process and feedback into the SE through DDS messages. See attached diagram for more detail. All previous source code and technical documentation will be provided on contract award. Which phase the project is in Live Existing team The existing Dstl team for the SE consists of a technical lead and a junior software developer, as well as the programme delivery team. The supplier may be required to work with 3rd party suppliers providing apps for assessment in the SE. Address where the work will be done The selected supplier is free to work at home to undertake the development work; However, the interim software drops and all supportive briefs/presentations, and the final installations will be at Dstl Portsdown West, Fareham, Hampshire Working arrangements The supplier is free to work at home for the development work; However, they will need to work closely with Dstl and shall provide interim update demonstrations in Dstl Portsdown West using Dstl IT, minimum of 3 software drops demonstrating the progress of the enhancements to the simulation environment and entities over the contract period. The key deliverables consist of the management progress reports, software drops, briefs and reports, interim technical reports explaining the development work and a final report. Provide more information about your security requirements: Security Check (SC) Provide more information about your security requirements (optional): Security Clearance (SC) Cleared Personnel Only Latest start date 2023-05-03 Enter the expected contract length: 2 years Extension period: 1 year Special terms and conditions Call-Off Schedule 17 (MOD Terms) DEFCON 76 - Contractor's Personnel at Government Establishments Write the term or acronym: SE Write the term or acronym: M&S Write the term or acronym: S&T Write the term or acronym: TRL Explain the term or acronym: Synthetic Environment Explain the term or acronym: Modelling & Simulation Explain the term or acronym: Science & Technology Explain the term or acronym: Technology Readiness Level Are you prepared to show your budget details?: Yes Indicative maximum: 300000 Indicative minimum: 250000 Provide further information: Based on 220 working days per year Confirm if you require a contracted out service or supply of resource Contracted out service: the off-payroll rules do not apply Summary of work Dstl requires a senior software developer to: 1) Develop the existing Synthetic Environment and required simulation components in a VBS3/4 Simulation Engine environment 2) Enhance the Combat Management System (CMS) Emulator linked to the Simulation Engine by developing operator GUI outputs to display maritime CMS-like information, consisting mainly of low fidelity sensor detection information, and controls 3) Work with internal and external teams for undertaking experiments using the SE 4) Generate progress and technical reports of all development work 5) Maintain a log of bug fixes 6) Support the architecture and interoperability of the capability using open interfaces such as DIS protocols to allow operation with other SEs or datalinks. 7) If required, support the building of a larger software development team to meet the growth expectations of MarExLab Where the supplied staff will work South East England Why the work is being done A maritime Command & Control Simulation Environment (SE) has been developed at Dstl Portsdown West, which enables tactical and technical initiatives to be developed, integrated and tested in a MOD owned, low cost environment. The SE has been built using the VBS simulation engine to generate and run underwater and above water warfare scenarios. Further development of the SE is required to build a comprehensive experimentation environment with new capabilities such as simulation of additional platforms, user displays and services and connection to other SEs, to allow the testing of new S&T concepts to provide low TRL validation prior to further testing and trials The business problem you need to solve Dstl conducts research on behalf of the RN into maritime combat systems including the development and assessment of novel decision aids and visualisation techniques for potential use in RN maritime systems. The SE will enable the rapid development and testing of Generation After Next (GAN) maritime concepts to support the maturing of the TRLs of the systems. First user type: Dstl SMEs First user type: 3rd Party suppliers Enter more details about this user type: Evaluation of novel apps using MarExLab Enter more details about this user type: Development and evaluation of novel apps using MarExLab