Ministry of Defence, Procurement Executive, CB/SCSS1a, Cedar 3a, MoD Abbey Wood #103, P.O. Box 702, BRISTOL, BS12 7DU, UNITED KINGDOM

18 -- SKYNET 5 NATIONAL PROGRAMME DUE 070797 POC Mr. D.J. Orpwood, 01144 11791 33274. Project definition study for the provision of the next generation UK Military Satellite Communications System (SKYNET 5 NATIONAL PROGRAMME). SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS. Subject to the granting of formal approvals the MoD plans to replace its SKYNET 4 military satellite communications system, including the update and enhancement of ground equipment. The ISD is 2005. The MoD wishes to conduct a competitive two year programme of work to determine implementation options. MoD wish to examine three ways of meeting their requirement, namely: (a) International Project Definition (PD) collaborative programme between UK/Ge/Fr for the supply and delivery in orbit of satellites and the updating and enhancement of associated ground equipment. (b) National PD programme for the supply and delivery in orbit of satellites and the updating and enhancement of associated ground equipment. (c) Provision of military satellite communications service including the updating and enhancement of associated ground equipment through aPrivate Finance Initiative (PFI) arrangement. This announcement deals with the proposed invitation to tender for the National programme. An ITT will be issued in parallel with those for the international collaborative and PFI programmes referred to above. The objective of this study is to define a satellite communications system which meets the requirements of the system requirement specification (SRS) as provided by MoD (PE). Following the competition, a decision will be made to pursue either the international collaborative programme or the national PD programmes, in parallel with the PFI approach. The selection of the approach to be taken forward into implementation will be made following the evaluation of the results of the PFI Design Study and PD programmes. Project Definition shall consider the space segment, ground segment, and system management segment as a single integrated system. Activities to be performed as part of Project Definition will include, but will not be limited to: (a) Producing a detailed satellite management segment and ground system designs to meet the SRS. (b) Producing detailed development plans. and migration plans for the current UKMSCS to the new system to meet the ISD of 2005. (c) Development of critical items and technology required to allow initiation of the development and implementation work (Phase C/D) after completion of Project Definition. (d) System support analysis with regards to logistics? training and documentation. (e) Provision of a detailed procurement specification for the development and implementation phase. In order to achieve the 2005 ISD the MoD is currently seeking approval to follow the following programme timeline: late July 1997 invite tenders; late September 1997 receive bids; early 1998 contract let for Design Studies; end 1999 completion of Design Studies; end 2000 contract let for the implementation phase; 2005 ISD for the first satellite. Any firm wishing to tender for the prime contractor role should convey its interest to the issuing branch by 9 July1997 explaining why they are competent. A further announcement will be made when tenders are invited and at the time prospective sub-contractors will be invited to register interest direct to the prime contractors. (0177)

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