BattleLab Experimental Digital Environment (BEDE)

Tender description

Delivery of an experimental outcomes-based service that enables co-creation in the Defence BattleLab (DBL). The BattleLab Experimental Digital Environment will combine on-premises, cloud based, and support services. Lot 1: The Defence BattleLab (DBL) provides opportunities for Defence problems to collide with industry solutions through a physical environment open to academics, innovators, industry, and end users. It is fitted with an internal 5G network in its engineering lab and on the adjacent Lulworth ranges; a connection to the Land Systems Reference Centre at Blandford; an internal Wifi network; a physical co-creation space; a shared office; and a virtual community.  The DBL 5G network on the Lulworth Cove Training Area will provide a configurable radio extremely high frequency (EHF) / ultra-high frequency (UHF) infrastructure and network that provides coverage on LCTA and is linked to the LSRC and DBL.  The network will provide a sea / land / air domain testbed under Defence control, enabling MOD, cross government, and industry / academia partners to demonstrate and test digital connectivity in a security context ‘on the bench’ and ‘in the wild’ The aim is the establishment and running of an experimental digital environment at the Defence BattleLab (DBL) for 19 months. The BattleLab Experimental Digital Environment (BEDE) will combine on-premises, cloud based, and support services. For modern collaboration, data sharing is essential but not currently possible at the DBL. To bridge this gap at the DBL, there is strong support for the establishment of the BEDE (including on premises and cloud-based services) from across Defence and partners across government.  Additional information: The published contract value for this contract is the maximum headroom of the contract and is not guaranteed. The committed value of this contract is £2,500,000.00.