Open Framework for Boat Recognised Organisations

Award Criteria

All requirements will be subject to the Procurement Act 2023 regulations and to the requirements of MOD’s standardised Terms & Conditions. Only when a supplier has been officially accepted onto this Open Framework will they be able to access and bid for competitions within the Framework. Initial acceptance onto the Open Framework does not guarantee work but outlines the opportunity to bid for individual requirements which will be developed on a case-by-case basis. All requirements will be issued via further competition, via a TAF procedure, available to all signed onto the Framework, which will then result in a call-off award to the winning bidder. Where only one supplier wishes to participate, the work will be directly awarded only if they provide a compliant bid. The Commercial Process for this Framework will have the following components: Stage 1: Invitation to Participate in the Framework Candidates wishing to participate in this opportunity must submit a complete and compliant response to this opportunity through the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) before the deadline. The deadline for Candidates to submit their response is 05/03/2026 at 17:00. This stage is focused on determining which Suppliers are technically capable and best suited to delivering the required services This stage will be broken down into the following scored sections: Technical Question 1 - Has your organisation been acknowledged by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as a Certifying Authority for boats? (Weighting 45%) Technical Question 2 - Has your organisation been acknowledged by the UK Ministry of Defence's Naval Authority as a Recognised Organisation for boats? (Weighting 45%) Social Value Question - What specific measures will you implement to reduce carbon emissions? (Weighting 10%) All suppliers wishing to submit a bid must also agree to sign the Security Aspect Letter (SAL) as well as the Conflicts of Interest declaration. To be accepted onto this Framework, you must also agree to the Standardised Contracting (SC1B) T&Cs as well as complying with the other mandatory conditions and DEFCONs included. Stage 2: Acceptance onto the Framework Companies accepted at Stage 1 will be invited to sign the Recognised Boat Organisation Framework Agreement and subsequently be awarded a place on the Framework. All Candidates that submitted a Request to Participate shall receive an assessment summary letter explaining their award or rejection based on their response to the ITT. Stage 3: Framework Call-Off Successful Candidates from Stage 2 will be awarded a place on the Framework in readiness for the SDA to utilise ("Call-Off") via the running of the competitive process.

Description

It is the Naval Authority’s role to provide safety certification for all MOD Shipping, which includes over 2500 boats less than 24 metres in length. To do this, Naval Authorities develop and maintain safety rules and standards to formally recognise organisations to perform certification activities on their behalf. These recognised organisations, under their similar civil delegation from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, must maintain a current knowledge of all aspects of boat safety and civil rules and regulations. There is an essential need for the Naval Authority to have a commercial arrangement with Recognised Organisations (RO) to provide feedback and experience on certification, implementation of standards, development of codes, tailoring thereof and training etc. The Authority seeks to implement an Open Framework with Ministry of Defence Naval Boat Recognised Organisations. An Open Framework is defined as a scheme of successive frameworks that allows for the periodic reopening of supplier lists under substantially the same terms. This contrasts with traditional 'closed' frameworks where after a single process suppliers are attached to a framework for its full duration. This Open Framework will operate as the main delivery mechanism for the Naval Boat Recognised Organisations, highlighting the qualified suppliers available to perform the services required and allow the opportunity for new entrants to join when the Framework is reopened. It is estimated this Framework will span over four core years, with the option to re-open after the first two years (with options to extend). The estimated value of this framework has been identified as being below threshold of £135,000 over four years which will cover individual tasks. This figure is indicative, not a commitment to spend, and is subject to amendment prior to the publishing of the Invitation to Participate Notice and associated Documentation. Individual requirements will be sought by using a tasking request form with each task defining the Requirement, Deliverables, Acceptance Criteria and Timing. Deliverables may include, but not necessarily limited to, technical reports, survey findings, presentations, training and certification. Tasking requests against this Open Framework will seek to cover work of the type listed below, but subject to variation. a) Provision of civil and naval Safety Regulation advice. b) Development of MoD Boat Safety Rules and Standards. c) Provision of boat survey training. d) Technical support. e) Boat Survey & Certification; and f) Technical audit. To help industry and MOD understand availability within the market to meet this requirement, MOD has outlined a set of applicable standards to be met enabling acceptance on this Open Framework. Participants shall be required to provide evidence in support for agreement by the Naval Authority. The Authority has the right to request this evidence at any time in the duration of the Open Framework Agreement to ensure Standards are maintained.

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