Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Research and Development

The Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (NAMRC) is one of seven high value manufacturing catapult centres promoting advanced manufacturing technologies and serving the UK supply chain, mainly in the nuclear sector. Further information about the NAMRC can be found at the following website - https://namrc.co.uk/. The NAMRC's Controls and Instrumentation Group is looking for a supplier to supply, deliver, train its staff and maintain a fully integrated, fully mounted, ready to fly, multi-purpose Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for various activities including surveying, intelligence, reconnaissance, inspection and 3D mapping within a variety of industrial and research applications. The primary role of the UAV will be for precise external inspections (and potentially internal inspections so "return home"/failsafe and the ability to navigate in enclosed spaces would be useful) thus will require high-resolution video transmission to the remote controller. As well being used in the nuclear industry, there is potential for the UAV to be used in the aerospace, construction, earthmoving an mining, marine, oil and gas (on & offshore), rail, wind, tidal, solar and biomass industries for a wide range of industrial applications such as:- • Small Modular Reactor (SMR) site assembly - civil modular concrete slab inspection; • SMR manufacturing- Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) modules inspection; • Reduction in requirement for operators working at height; • Inspection on Dismantling & Decommissioning site; • Inspection (for abnormal operation, failure, cracks & corrosion) of offshore wind farms (harsh environment high winds, rain, salt water etc.); • Saves reducing reactor power for human inspection; • Condition and security monitoring for sites left in care and maintenance; • Remote inspection of welds, e.g., on the dome of the SMR; • Assess areas with other hazards, post nuclear accident or chemical spills for example.

Due to the wide variety of potential industrial applications we are looking for a relatively compact system (albeit we appreciate there is a compromise between size, payload and flight/hover times) that is quick and easy to assemble and disassemble, and that when disassembled and packed in its storage/carry case will fit into the boot of a medium sized car for easy transportation.

Tender Process and Documentation: This procurement is an open procedure conducted in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015

The ITT can be downloaded by registering and expressing your interest on the University`s e-tendering system https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield

If you have any questions or comments in relation to this tender they must be submitted via the In-tend System, this can be accessed at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/Sheffield

Completed tenders must be returned through the same e-tendering system.

Closing date for receipt of tenders: Friday 17th December 2021 at 12 noon (UK time).

Additional information: https://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/sheffield/