Application Development and Support

Concepts

• software development
• bristol
• application software
• military applications
• development software
• multiple android applications
• the application store
• an application store
• application development
• application development and support

Location

Bristol

Description

The Specialist EOD, Exploitation and Counter Measures (SEEC) Delivery Team within Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) is preparing to initiate a competitive procurement for a contract for software development and support for the following: - Development and continued availability of an application store. - Development and delivery of multiple Android applications (apps) and integration onto the application store. Applications may be standalone or used to monitor information from in-service sensors and/or equipment. - Integration of commercial off the shelf (COTS) applications onto the application store. The suppliers will be required to support DE&S with rapid, insightful, and cost-effective decisions to ensure the sustainment of the UK defence operations.

CPV Codes

• 72231000 - Development of software for military applications
• 72212000 - Programming services of application software
• 72212517 - IT software development services
• 72212983 - Development software development services

Indicators

Other Information

1. Description DE&S requires a contract for the development and continued availability of an application store and multiple apps (both bespoke and COTS). The number of bespoke apps is subject to change but is assumed to be around ~20 over the life of the contract. The applications are to be used by a small Military group only. The core of the requirement, support and continued availability of a sub-set of apps and the application store, will be known at contract award. The supplier can use a DE&S defined interim application store solution until a bespoke solution is developed. The remainder of the requirement and deliverables shall be defined over the course of the contract to address emerging requirements and shall be contracted through a tasking procedure. This may include tasks such as the development and delivery of additional applications, procurement of hardware for the purpose of testing and maintaining software licences. The classification of application development is up to and including OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE. However, some apps may require libraries up to an including SECRET UK EYES ONLY meaning that the supplier will be required to hold Facility Security Clearance. 2. Procurement Timescales & Contract Value. The estimated value range of the Contract is £12M over a 7-year period with potential contract commencing January 2026. 3. Early Engagement and Market Intelligence DE&S have an aim to identify the level of industry interest, gain feedback to further inform our requirement and understand what method industry deem most suitable for the delivery and running of this contract once awarded. A collaborative model is preferable. Please provide a brief of up to 1000 words answering the following to support DE&S with this procurement: • Direction on the most suitable contract mechanism for delivery of the requirement detailed in section II.4 i.e. a multi supplier framework, a single prime contractor or other model with supporting explanation. • An estimated cost for the following contract elements; development and maintainability of an application store and a bespoke Android application. • Any licencing and/or other factors that must be considered when adding COTS software onto a bespoke platform. • Any industry standards/processes that must be considered when developing bespoke software. • Key risks, assumptions and dependencies DE&S should consider for this procurement. • Any other information you believe DE&S should be aware of when preparing to initiate this contract. Your brief should be addressed to deslestsp-seec-commercial@mod.gov.uk Please provide your brief no later than 1 July 2024. This information shall not be used by the Authority to down select but shall help inform the development of the requirement and delivery route only. This is an opportunity for industry to help influence the procurement strategy, any feedback would be gratefully received. Any respondents will be kept updated on any future steps on this procurement. 4. Contract Notice and Pre-Qualification Based on an estimated schedule, the Authority intends to publish a Contract Notice and initiate Supplier Selection in October 2024. Full details on how to express your interest in this requirement shall be published in the Contract Notice. 5. Further Information You must not take this announcement to mean confirmation that MOD shall award a contract for this requirement. The MOD is publishing this announcement without any commitment to issue a tender or place a contract. Accordingly, any expenditure, work or effort undertaken before contract award is a matter solely for the commercial judgement of potential suppliers.