- DASA is preparing to launch a procurement process to find a partner(s) to deliver business acceleration services to boost capacity in this area
- This new initiative is to support both NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and UK defence and security innovation
- This procurement will be run in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations (PCR) 2015 Restructured Procedure
- A Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) will be used to select suppliers with the relevant capability and capacity for Invitation to Tender (ITT)
- The PQQ and ITT stages will happen in the spring of 2024 with a view to having delivery partners on board, ready to occupy the I-Hub space and be ready to deliver activities from the summer of 2024.
DASA is seeking an experienced partner (or partners through a consortium approach) to deliver business acceleration services to cohorts of high-tech SMEs for NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) and UK defence and security innovation. This will include delivering business training and the provision of mentoring programmes and wider engagements with the goal of facilitating the development of SMEs' products and businesses.
The partner(s) will also manage a vibrant innovation space and its start-up community. In summary, these services will increase the range of advanced dual use capability available for civilian, defence, and security customers, providing strategic advantage for the UK and NATO.
Key Dates
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1 November 2023: Early Market Engagement Webinar, via MS Teams. Register here
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31 December 2023: Estimated date for publication of contract notice
Why should you get involved?
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new international initiative led by NATO to create a step change in the future capability of NATO Allies by harnessing new technologies developed by SMEs.
The UK defence and security ecosystem understands that it is important to access a wide network of innovators, especially those who have not worked in the industry before, to develop and deliver solutions. Innovation is essential in maintaining strategic advantage and this initiative will bring together the rapid advancement of technologies that will address critical defence and security challenges.
What are the requirements?
The service delivery is for two years with the option to extend for a further three years, subject to allowable refinements.
Flexible Cost Services
A comprehensive, high-quality acceleration programme for DIANA. The acceleration curriculum will be designed by NATO DIANA in collaboration with all affiliated sites, but implemented by the partner(s). It will include training and mentoring activities, against curriculum requirements, delivered to a cohort of companies drawn from across the alliance, selected by NATO. It is expected that delivery will entail one annual cycle per year, including one 6-month Bootcamp accelerator programme followed by one 6-month Grow programme with a reduced cohort, as described on DIANA's website.
DASA business acceleration services, which include, but are not limited to:
- Acceleration programmes and training modules of differing durations designed for the UK market (in addition to the DIANA programmes)
- Innovation activities including, for example, Hackathons, Investor Showcases, Customer Demonstration Days, and events, such as networking and sector-specific events (e.g. FinTech)
- Provision and maintenance of a mentor pool for UK programmes
Fixed cost services
Innovation space management
- Full management and operation of an innovation space fitted out by MOD to a high specification, comprising approximately 40 open plan desks, flexible meeting rooms and event space
- Reception facilities for the full innovation space, including the NATO DIANA European Regional Office (the permanent office for NATO DIANA staff, which is collocated with the UK accelerator space that the successful partner(s) will operate)
- Provision of general administration services, marketing, communications and outreach to SMEs and defence and security stakeholders
Operations
- Budget management, security, governance and reporting to DASA
Facilities management
- Facilities management, including cleaning of the space (both the UK accelerator space and the NATO DIANA European Regional Office), maintaining provisions and supplies in keeping with an innovation space, and the ability to organise catering for events as required
Early Market Engagement webinar
On Wednesday 1 November 2023, we will be hosting an Early Market Engagement Webinar via MS Teams to make the market aware of the upcoming opportunity and to seek industry feedback on matters such as the requirement, contract framework and pricing to help inform the procurement strategy.
If you are interested in working in partnership with DASA, and would like to learn more about our requirements and provide initial feedback, then do register your attendance by midday Monday 30 October 2023.
Submitting your PQQ
If you have experience in delivering business acceleration services and would like to partner with DASA on this new initiative, sign your organisation up to the with the 'Supplier Registration' link on the Defence Sourcing Portal, and search for 'Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic DIANA'.
