CODRAS MBP Framework RFI

Tender description

Purpose of this RFI The purpose of this RFI is to inform industry of the Maritime Big Play (MBP) initiative and to seek responses to help shape specific MOD problem statements. These may form the basis for potential commercial engagement in Financial Years 2025 and 2026 to support Operational Experimentation (OpEx). This RFI may lead to establishment of a new multi-supplier framework under which the MOD would task industry activity on MBP in FYs 25 & 26. Background. MBP allows AUKUS Partners to undertake a series of integrated trilateral experiments and exercises aimed at enhancing operational capability development, improving interoperability, and increasing the sophistication and scale of autonomous systems (UxS) in an integrated force of crewed and uncrewed systems in the maritime domain. MBP is intended to be delivered through a series of OpEx events both in the INDO/PACIFIC region and within the MOD’s wider areas of interest. Commercial Approach. Subject to approvals, this new Framework for MBP may form the basis for commercial engagements from FY 25/26 onwards; this RFI may be followed by a PIN (if required), PQQ and ITT stages to establish the new Framework. Whilst this is being established, the MBP Project may utilise an alternative, established Framework (likely the Neutral Vendor Framework for Innovation) to commit the limited in-year funding to provide core SQEP resource to the project team and to allow industry to inform the Project Team and to offer solutions to specific problem sets. The Problem. The high-level problems for MBP are that of increased interoperability with AUKUS Partners as part of AUKUS Pillar 2 and of providing Defence with tangible evidence to inform rapid procurement of RAS enabled capabilities in the Maritime Domain. It should be considered that RAS solutions in many cases will be required as a force multiplier to conventional warfighting structures and could include Crewed – Uncrewed teaming concepts.