Supply Chain Notice:Provision of a Virtual Trainer (VT)

The purpose of this Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to update potential suppliers on the upcoming procurement exercise that will be conducted by Raytheon UK (RUK) for the Provision of a Virtual Trainer (VT). A previous PIN and Industry Day was held in May 2023, describing a tendering process which included elements of the 3D rendering model of the vessel being available. However, subsequent developments have brought about a change of strategy in which the whole procurement is now being offered as a competitive Tender which includes the requirement to create the 3D rendering model. The Industry Day will update potential suppliers on the revised approach in more detail. RUK is planning to issue the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) by November 2023. Parties who wish to participate in the new Industry Day session that will be held on 27/10/2023 are requested to express or re-confirm their interest by email to [email protected]. The deadline for responses is 5pm on 25/10/2023.

Summary of Services: The Virtual Trainer (VT) is required to provide an accurate virtual representation of a class of vessel, using the vessel's 3D CAD design modelling as a basis. The model will need to represent different systems and sub-systems within the vessel and provide user interactions that allow trainees to operate and maintain them. Initially the model will depict the class of vessel; in due course it is envisaged that the model will be refined to take account of features specific to individual platforms. The VT will allow trainees to undergo specific training in a high-fidelity environment, supporting onshore training of vessel crews throughout the lifetime of the class in accordance with the Training Objectives (TOs) set out in a suite of Training Needs Analysis (TNA) documents. The VT systems will be supplied to multiple sites and portable devices; one of those sites has five classrooms with allocation for c100 trainee workstations. Each VT system will comprise a number of elements, anticipated to include but not limited to: - Simulation engine software and accompanying virtual world models; - Underlying hardware* on which the software will run; - Innovative technology that will add to the experience.

Additional information: *As part of this procurement, there is a potential requirement to supply a full set of hardware for multiple sites but priced as a separate line item in the proposal, as a costed option. This will potentially comprise of Workstations and Virtual Reality Headsets. The VT system will capture Training Recordings of each trainee for subsequent analysis and use by the instructors; recordings will include synchronised audio and visual aspects. Upon completion of a training exercise instructors will be able to brief trainees on the outcome of their training using a playback capability within the instructional environment. Trainees will need to access Learning Management System (LMS) materials (for example manuals, videos, and exercise instructions) during an exercise, and some LMS material will be required 'in-world', so a means of data transfer between LMS and VT will be required.

Additional text: RUK is undertaking this PIN to seek the views and opinions of those capable organisations that may be interested in helping to deliver this solution. While participation in this PIN exercise is not a mandatory requirement, those who have not previously submitted a response are strongly encouraged to do so; the information supplied will help structure this procurement. CONFIRMATION OF YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT. RUK reserves the right to modify or cancel this PIN or the procurement exercise at any time, without liability to any potential suppliers or other parties.