Drones Sensor Network for Solent Transport FTZ Programme - Market Consultation

Portsmouth City Council on behalf of Solent Transport is undertaking a soft market testing exercise in preparation for tendering a contract for the supply and installation of sensors for Solent Transport FTZ drone sensor network.

The Council is aiming to commence formal tender of the contract during December of this year in order to achieve a contract award date of February 2024.

The Council is keen to discuss potential approaches with experienced market leading organisations prior to commencing formal tender. This will help ensure that the tendering and subsequent contracting strategy adopted will allow for optimum bid solutions.

The aim of the market testing is to:

• oExplore the innovation, capability and capacity available in the market
• oInform Solent Transport on placement and density of sensors required based on the Geography of the Solent
• oExplore compatibility and synergies with the wider project
• oFeedback on our approach

Our key considerations are:

1. How the solution captures the data and how it is then uploaded to the Soton UAV servers to complete delivery (spec of server to be provided)
2. How long infrastructure and sensor supply lead times are as well as responsiveness to any issues
3. Assurance of provision of back up sensors and sensor data in the event of failure
4. Viewing the suggested solution at supplier test site or virtually with own drone system
5. How both hardware and data security is managed
6. Solent Transport and our partners will provide sites for installs in advance where possible, but sensors, installs, decommissions may be required throughout the project as locations become available
7. The FTZ funding is until June 2025. All work must be completed by May 2025.

Suppliers are invited to intend an online event via TEAMS Thursday 2nd November 10:00-11:30 to find out more about the drones project and the required sensor network. Attending the event will be:

Rob Gloyns - Solent Transport - FTZ Theme Lead for Sustainable Logistics

Carla Toomer - Solent Transport - FTZ Drones Project Manager

Dr Mehmet Erbil - University of Southampton (Soton UAV) - Principal Experimental Officer

Bryce Allcorn - Consortiq - Global Operations Director

Richard Lock - Portsmouth City Council Procurement Manager

Lisa Adamson - Portsmouth City Council Procurement Professional

The event will be recorded and made available via our procurement portal for suppliers unable to attend.

Agenda for this event is as follows:

• 1.Introductions and what we will cover
• 2.Solent Transport FTZ programme background
• 3.Drones Project progress
• 4.Sensor Network: What are we trying to achieve?
• i.Expected locations
• 5.Procurement Process, Programme and Contracting Strategy
• 6.Questions
• 7.Questions to the attendees

Following the online event, suppliers will have the opportunity to meet with Solent Transport on ...

Additional information: Delivery Notes

New Tender Notification -Drones Sensor Network for Solent Transport FTZ Programme - Market Consultation

Please be advised Portsmouth City Council is currently in the process of seeking expressions of interest for the above project. Interested parties should logon to In-tend using the link below for further details.

https://in-tendhost.co.uk/portsmouthcc/aspx/home

To View the Tender Opportunities Hover over the Tenders tab and click on current, this will then show a list. If you are interested in any of those listed, click the View Details button for further information and to express your interest.

This email has been sent to you as your company has registered its interest against the Business Category associated with this project.

If you have any questions relating to tendering with Portsmouth City Council, please contact the City Councils Procurement Department by email on procurement@portsmouth.gov.uk or call us on 023 9268 8235.

Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No