Future Naval Design Partnering (FNDP) CF Opportunity

The Submarine Future Naval Design Partnering (FNDP) Framework is being established based on the continued need for selective industry support to early stage design, technology management and through-life technical support in the submarine domain.

Following the successful demonstration of the Enduring NDP that is due to conclude in September 2024, the Authority has identified a requirement for a Future Naval Design Partnering construct.

The Future NDP construct will be broadly similar to the Enduring NDP and aims to continue access to the niche skills and expertise held by industry across the full gamut of submarine design, development, build, sustainment and disposal, often in the form of highly collaborative multiparty MOD and industry rainbow teams. This will be achieved by inviting selected companies to sign up to individual framework agreements, as Core Companies, with an umbrella multiparty agreement to enable collaborative working (through the establishment of Intellectual Property Rights and partnering principles). With the exception of the Submarine Enterprise Tier 1's, who will automatically be invited to join, a competition will be run for the selection of Core Companies as members of the Future Naval Design Partnering.

Work undertaken through the individual framework agreements will be task based. The nature of this type of framework agreement means that the full scope and required deliverables of tasks will be developed as the need for each task arises. Every task will fall into one of the following three roles:

Role 1 - Supporting the SDA in undertaking pre-concept and concept submarine design studies and capability investigations. Such work includes: the development of design and technology strategy options for future capability delivery and dealing with emerging technical issues in current platforms.

Role 2 - Supporting the SDA in undertaking through-life technology management studies. Such work includes assisting the SDA in developing, implementing and managing the technology roadmap; dealing with emerging technical issues in current platforms; technical support to Technology Demonstration Programmes (TDPs); and a programme of work and the funding necessary to sustain critical niche technology capability in the Submarine Enterprise.

Role 3 - Providing through-life technical support to the SDA in its Intelligent Customer (i.e. Design Approving Authority) role. So that SDA can make appropriate choices and decisions on material presented by its Tier 1 contractors (Technical Authorities) across new acquisition (e.g., SSNR, Dreadnought and in-build Astute Class submarines), support (e.g., in-service Astute and Vanguard Class submarines) and disposal.

Additional information: By default, all tasks will be competed between the member Core Companies, although in some instances may be directed as deemed appropriate by the Authority.

Core Companies will also be expected to contribute to the effective operation and management of the FNDP by nominating an appropriate senior representative to attend and contribute to regular board meetings and workshops. As well as providing insight into major MOD submarine programmes, attendance at the board will provide an opportunity for companies to drive in innovation and change (e.g., by influencing the core programme).

Companies that believe they hold the pre-requisite depth and breadth of knowledge and experience to effectively contribute, on a regular basis, to any or all of the FNDP roles, as defined above, are invited to apply for membership as a Core Company. Membership will be offered to a limited number of companies, who can effectively demonstrate they hold a proven capability to conduct:

a. verifiable holistic submarine whole platform or major system and/or mission system design solutions and/or b. Submarine Technical Support and/or c. Submarine Technology Management Studies

In selecting companies, consideration will be given to ensuring the full breadth of necessary skills and experience is held collectively between the companies, including the Tier 1 suppliers. The ability and willingness of prospective companies to operate proactively and constructively in collaboration will also be a key consideration, ideally backed up by a proven history of working in similar environments or on similar activities currently or in the past.

The process for selecting Core Companies, with the exception of Submarine Enterprise Tier 1's (BAE Submarines, Babcock and Rolls-Royce - who are deemed to be pre-qualified), will be as follows:

1. Raise Expressions of Interest and respond to the Dynamic Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (DPQQ), in response to this Defence Contract Notice.

2. Planned Industry Briefing, although this is not a mandatory part of the process. o Industry Day Information - Date: Wednesday 14th June 2023 - Time: 09:00hrs - 12:00hrs - Venue: Function Suite 4 MOD Abbeywood Filton Bristol, BS34 8JH Please note places are limited to 1 attendee per company due to capacity restraints. Consequently, Requests were to be received no later than Monday 5th June 2023 at 23:59. Copies of any materials, presentations and subsequent arising Questions and Answers will be distributed after the Industry Day Event to all Suppliers who attended.

3. DPQQ responses will be assessed.

4. Companies will be informed of the outcome of the DPQQ assessment and those that are unsuccessful will be offered a debrief.

5. Invitations to Negotiate (ITN) will be issued to all down-selected companies and the Submarine Enterprise Tier 1s.