EOD Electronic Counter Measures Systems Integrator VTN

Voluntary Transparency Notice for the single source award to Leonardo UK Ltd for the procurement of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) to deliver complementary Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RC-IED) Detection solutions.

Additional information:

The Force Protection Electronic Counter Measures (FPECM) delivery team, part of the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD), intend to undertake procurement activity with Leonardo UK Ltd to meet the requirements of an Electronic Surveillance capability, specifically the standing requirement of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) to deliver complementary Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RC-IED) Detection solutions to the future ASPARKLE Detection and Electronic Attack system.

It is considered that the procurement can be placed using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice on the basis that the contract may be awarded only to Leonardo UK Ltd for technical reasons.

This approach is attributable to Leonardo UK Ltd being the Systems Integrator for the Project ASPARKLE capability. It is an essential requirement that the RC-IED Detection solutions capability integrates with equipment procured under project ASPARKLE; with capabilities working together as part of the same mission to achieve a seamless understanding of the electromagnetic operating environment allowing the user to make threat to life decisions. Systems must interact in hardware, software and data domains and they will share common resources from a host vehicle platform. As the Systems Integrator and Prime Contractor for project ASPARKLE, Leonardo UK Ltd are the only company with the required knowledge, skills, information and experience to manage this integration. There would be a significant increased threat to life should that integration not be accurately and successfully implemented, or if the capabilities work against one another. In order to manage the integration risk whilst ensuring a fair approach to the market, Leonardo UK Ltd will be mandated to compete for the appropriate technology on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and they will be responsible for overall capability integration. The Authority will have full transparency of the competition(s) for the procurements.