CHC/648 Support, Repairs & Spares of the Electro-Optic Sensor Turret (EOST)

The Secretary of State for Defence (the ‘Authority’) intends to enter into a contract with Leonardo UK Ltd (Leonardo) for the delivery of continual support to the UK Chinook fleet’s existing Electro Optical Sensor Turret (EOST) system. The proposed contract term is 6 years (4 + 2) with an approximate total contract value of £6-7M. In accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service (as required by the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the DSPCR 2011 due to technical reasons as set out below Leonardo UK Ltd, previously Leonardo MW Ltd, Selex ES Ltd, DRS Technologies UK Ltd, are the Titan 385ES Turret Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and appointed Design Organisation (DO). The support to the EOST system is required to allow for asset-recycling, repairs and replacements to the Authority’s current stock. Leonardo holds all the technical data for the Titan Turret system which includes a multitude of aspects including but not limited to design specifications, technical documents, qualification data, design models, both mechanical and electrical, system software design, manufacturing drawings, wiring schematics, circuit diagrams, methods folders, machining models etc and test specifications. The Leonardo technical data is not available via the public domain. Leonardo has designed and manufactured a wide range of special to type tooling and test equipment required to support the Titan Turret System including PCB test sets, sub-assembly test sets, optical test facilities, bespoke test software, test jigs and manufacturing / repair tooling and jigs. Leonardo has the trained and experienced personnel with the continuity of knowledge of the Titan Turret System throughout the design, development, production and support phases of the product’s lifecycle. The level of knowledge required to adequately support the equipment simply does not exist outside of the company. As the EOST is mounted on an aircraft, airworthiness requirements must be met. Leonardo are the only economic operator who hold the relevant Design Accreditation Organisation Scheme (DAOS) and Maintenance Accreditation Organisation Scheme (MAOS) approvals under the Military Aviation Authority (MAA) Regularity Articles (RAs) required to undertake the work to be contracted. Finally, as supplier to multiple fleets across the world, Leonardo are uniquely positioned to provide the Authority with safety service bulletins, including necessary modifications which ensure the continuous operation of the Authority’s EOST and the subsequent safety of the Armed Forces.