Support and Enhancement of TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment

Concepts

• technical support
• tactical data link test equipment
• bristol
• nato
• enhancement of tiger
• existing test equipment software
• tactical data link
• tactical data link system
• tdl test tools
• tactical data link technology

Location

United Kingdom:

Description

Support (hardware and software) for the Authority’s existing TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment. The services shall be provided for 5 years commencing 2021.

Total Quantity or Scope

Summary the services: The Authority intends to procure support for its currently deployed TIGER / MLST3 tactical data link test equipment. Services shall be provided for 5 years commencing 2021. Technology: Tactical data link (TDL) is a communications technology utilizing radio waves or cable used by the U.S. armed forces and NATO nations. Tactical data link technology has various forms (Link 16, etc.) MOD MML Project: The Maritime Multi-Link (MML) Project will provide Royal Navy warships with the Tactical Data Link System (TDLS), to provide enhanced operational capability to interoperate with NATO and other coalition partners and allies. The Tactical Data Link System will comprise MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) equipment. Purpose of current test equipment (MLST3 and TIGER): Tactical Data Links are required to be tested in order to verify their correct operation. The currently used test equipment (MLST3 and TIGER) are TDL test tools that support the development and testing of Data Link Processors (DLP) in the following areas: • Conformance to Tactical Data Link (TDL) Standards for Link 11, Link 16, Link 22 and Joint Range Extension Application Protocol ‘C’ (JREAP-C); • Interoperability, in both single and multi-link environments; • DLP Integration and Testing The requirement to support the existing test equipment software: In order for the currently used TDL test tools to remain up to date with the latest NATO TDL Messaging Standards Agreements (STANAGs) the software is required to be supported. This support comprises software fixes and updates and some software related training. The requirement to support the existing test equipment hardware: The main component of the existing equipment is MLST3 (OEM: Northrop Grumman product) which was procured by the Authority via Foreign Military Sale procurement in 2020. The other element is TIGER (again OEM: Northrop Grumman product) which as originally procured by the Authority as part of the Wildcat programme. The existing hardware will have to be supported to ensure its functioning and compatibility with the software during the period of support.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 71356300 - Technical support services

Legal Justification

The Situational Awareness Command and Control (SACC) team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence intends to award a single source contract to Leidos Innovations UK Limited, acting as the agent for the Northrop Grumman Corporation, for a period of 5 years to procure hardware and software support to the MLST3 and TIGER Test Tool. It is considered that this contract can be awarded using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication pursuant to Article 28(1) (e) of Directive 2009/81/EC (Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011) for technical reasons. Northrop Grumman are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for both MLST3 and TIGER test equipment and have the design drawings/information, technical specifications, data and knowledge of the equipment which has been provided to Leidos Innovations UK Limited as Northrop Grumman’s exclusive authorised agent for the supply of MLST3 and TIGER hardware and software in Europe and, hence the only source for OEM support for MLST3 and TIGER hardware and software. The MoD has already procured MLST3 through Northrop Grumman via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route and TIGER through Leidos and is seeking to maintain and support the existing test facility for the next 5 years. The estimated total contract value is £750,000.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** The Authority reserves the right to amend any condition related to security of information to reflect any changes in national law or government policy. If any contract documents are accompanied by instructions on safeguarding classified information (e.g. a Security Aspects Letter), the Authority reserves the right to amend the terms of these instructions to reflect any changes in national law or government policy, whether in respect of the applicable protective marking scheme, specific protective markings given, the aspects to which any protective marking applies, or otherwise. The link below to the Gov.uk website provides information on the Government Security Classification. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-security-classifications Advertising Regime OJEU:- This contract opportunity is published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), the MoD Defence Contracts Bulletin and www.contracts.mod.uk