Development of research aiming to establish and document an understanding of existing information on current novel aircraft for passenger services.
Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.
System quality assurance assessment and review services. Under the National Aviation Security Programme (NASP), the UK has regulated the use of Threat Image Projection (TIP), and this will shortly become mandatory for the screening of cabin baggage and items carried at all airport passenger and staff checkpoints. Historically the image libraries have been centrally provided by the Department for Transport (DfT), however given the increasing range of security screening equipment available, moving forward the Civil Aviation Authority will be seeking to assess and approve libraries created by third party suppliers, including by the equipment manufacturers themselves, using a set of standardised physical threat articles. After initial approval, image libraries must have 10% of their images updated and re-approved annually. There are currently 8 libraries which have already been approved and would require annual re-approval. The CAA is accordingly looking to identify and contract with an independent third party (ie one who is not involved in the production of the libraries) to assess the content and suitability of new or amended image libraries against agreed criteria, and provide advice and recommendations as to their approval or otherwise. The supplier would be required to manage the physical threat item library and to undertake assessment of both initial and annual updates of image libraries. Additionally, the contractor would receive and collate monthly TIP data generated, which would be provided direct by around 50 UK airports, conduct initial analysis of the data received, and provide monthly reports to the CAA based on this data . It is important both for the ongoing resource and functionality of the capability, and also its independence, that the assessment is carried out by a third party appointed by the CAA on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT). Under this arrangement, CAA will maintain oversight of the third party provider on a continuous basis. In the future the use of TIP may be extended to other areas of aviation security screening, such as hold baggage, cargo and in-flight supplies, each of which would require initial and subsequent re-approval of TIP libraries. For library approvals it is envisaged the contractor would levy a fee direct from the applicant for each application assessed, based on a scale of charges to be agreed with the CAA. The cost of collating and analysing TIP data would be charged direct to the CAA. Quantity or scope: It is anticipated that the Contract will be awarded for an initial period of 2 years, subject to an annual review, from the Commencement Date (“the initial Contract Term”). The contract may be extended on the same terms and conditions at CAA’s option for a further period or periods of 12 months not exceeding 5 years in total; The maximum duration of the Contract Term will therefore be 7 years from the Commencement Date. The contract value reflects the costs which will be chargeable to the CAA only, please note this does not include library assessments, the supplier would levy a fee direct from the applicant for each application assessed, based on a scale of charges to be agreed with the CAA.
Under the National Aviation Security Programme (NASP), the UK has regulated the use of Threat Image Projection (TIP), and this will shortly become mandatory for the screening of cabin baggage and items carried at all airport passenger and staff checkpoints. Historically the image libraries have been centrally provided by the Department for Transport (DfT), however given the increasing range of security screening equipment available, moving forward the Civil Aviation Authority will be seeking to assess and approve libraries created by third party suppliers, including by the equipment manufacturers themselves, using a set of standardised physical threat articles. After initial approval, image libraries must have 10% of their images updated and re-approved annually. There are currently 8 libraries which have already been approved and would require annual re-approval. The CAA is accordingly looking to identify and contract with an independent third party (ie one who is not involved in the production of the libraries) to assess the content and suitability of new or amended image libraries against agreed criteria, and provide advice and recommendations as to their approval or otherwise. The supplier would be required to manage the physical threat item library and to undertake assessment of both initial and annual updates of image libraries. Additionally, the contractor would receive and collate monthly TIP data generated, which would be provided direct by around 50 UK airports, conduct initial analysis of the data received, and provide monthly reports to the CAA based on this data . It is important both for the ongoing resource and functionality of the capability, and also its independence, that the assessment is carried out by a third party appointed by the CAA on behalf of the Department for Transport (DfT). Under this arrangement, CAA will maintain oversight of the third party provider on a continuous basis. In the future the use of TIP may be extended to other areas of aviation security screening, such as hold baggage, cargo and in-flight supplies, each of which would require initial and subsequent re-approval of TIP libraries. For library approvals it is envisaged the contractor would levy a fee direct from the applicant for each application assessed, based on a scale of charges to be agreed with the CAA. The cost of collating and analysing TIP data would be charged direct to the CAA.
CAA pensions actuarial advice & benefits consultancy. The pension's actuarial advice and support is wide and diverse, ranging from how to develop a market-led pension offering to de-risking existing obligations.
CAA pensions actuarial advice & benefits consultancy. The pension’s actuarial advice and support is wide and diverse, ranging from how to develop a market-led pension offering to de-risking existing obligations.
The CAA has conducted a Colleague Engagement Survey since 2021 and is looking to evolve further as a high-performance Regulator, improve engagement within the organisation and drive the CAA's People Strategy. In addition, we want to evolve our listening strategies, create behavioural change, and improve our visibility of action planning.
In a crisis situation, where consumers abroad may need emergency repatriation back to the UK, there is currently no service provision immediately available whereby, under certain business rules, a consumer can arrange their own flights back to the UK using existing scheduled services and charter services arranged by the CAA. The CAA is therefore seeking interested parties who may be able to design, build , test and implement an efficient and cost-effective flight booking service in which a consumer is able to book their own repatriation fight(s) back to the UK under certain business rules. The service will need to offer consumers all fares available on the GDS, and additional Rescue Fares offered by various airlines during the period of the crisis. The service solution will need to be able to offer online flight ticketing and manage any changes to ticketing under certain business rules. Where a financial flight contribution is required from the consumer, the service solution will need to be able to collect and reconcile card payments made by the consumer and have an audit function capable of tracking and all payments made. Because of the nature of an emergency repatriation, the service solution will need to offer a 24/7 service support for the period of the crisis with further reduced support during the post repatriation phase. The service solution will need a capability to database all consumer data impacted by the crisis so that business rules can be applied to consumers indicating entitlement to a repatriation flight and where applicable the associated costs. This will in the future be replaced by an API to the CAA's central repatriation database which will be used as the master record keeping database. Due to the nature of the service solution and the need to stand up the solution quickly in response to a crisis it would be preferable for potential bidders to have a ongoing commercial interest in the travel industry and hold a ATOL license. Should you be interested in this requirement, please express an interest by no later than 5pm on 31st January 2024 by emailing Scott.Taggart@caa.co.uk
The MSA has a legislative obligation to carry out evaluations of drone products if the MSA believes a product presents a risk to health or safety, as per Article 36 of UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945.
The third-party 'RPAS Testing Service Providers' may be expected to perform a variety of product evaluations for class marked drones. This could involve evaluating compliance against the regulatory requirements and product standards set out in UK Regulation (EU) 2019/945, The Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 (Directive 2014/30/EU), The Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 (Directive 2014/53/EU) and The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (Directive 2006/42/EC)345.
This requires technical knowledge and expertise across performance and design requirements, noise testing, verification methods, manufacturer manuals and instructions, geo-awareness, and remote identification, among others. In addition, the RPAS Testing Service Provider would require the capability to test non-drone specific product standards related to product safety (e.g. mechanics and electronics systems). The RPAS Testing Service Provider may also be requested to conduct product evaluations for any other concerns related to public health, safety and security, such as cyber security and chemical hazards.
Technical standards will contain verification methods to perform some of the product evaluations. Existing standards are available, which may be similar to the potential designated standards (e.g. prEN 4709-001 'Aerospace series - Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Part 001: Product requirements and verification'). The MSA will be responsible for the management and oversight of the product evaluations performed by the RPAS Testing Service Providers, including the communication and coordination with other authorities, industry and the public. In addition, the MSA will be responsible for any decisions that are made on market intervention measures (e.g. product recalls) following the completion of a product evaluation.
The MSA will procure the RPAS Testing Service Provider services. One option could be to have a procurement framework for the RPAS Testing Service Providers. The suppliers on this potential procurement framework would require the capability to perform some, if not all, of the product evaluations specified and ensure no conflict of interest would arise. If the MSA identifies the need for a product evaluation, the MSA would issue a set of requirements on that framework.
The RPAS Testing Service Providers on the framework would prepare a statement of work (SOW) to outline their delivery approach with associated costs. The MSA would review the SOW responses and subsequently award the procurement to the winning RPAS Testing Service Provider. The RPAS Testing Service Provider would perform the product evaluation based on the MSA requirements and submit their results and recommendations to the MSA to inform a decision on the potential market intervention.