Notice

Space to Innovate Campaign - Bravo Drop: Competition Document

Updated 19 October 2021

1. Introduction

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Space Programme is seeking proposals that can aid UK Defence and Security to develop future space technologies. We are looking for innovative solutions that can address a series of challenges released in ‘drops’ throughout 2021 and 2022. These challenges follow the output of various space themed activities; including Space to Innovate Phase 1 and the International Space Pitch Day. Bravo Drop follows on from the first challenge drop, Alpha Drop, which launched earlier this year and is expected to have contracts awarded in autumn 2021.

This ’campaign’ approach enables varied contract values and durations to be undertaken as part of the competition, which provides larger and longer contracts for more mature technologies, whilst also enabling less mature innovations to be explored. The enduring campaign approach demonstrates Dstl’s ongoing commitment to the funding and support of space technology innovators.

The amount available for this campaign up to 31 July 2023 is expected to be up to £2m. The value of these contracts shall vary from £125k to £400k, with durations of 6 months to 18 months, with the most appropriate category decided by those submitting proposals.

Challenge drops will be open to applications from all innovators and not just those that submitted successful bids in previous ones. These ‘drops’ are named following the phonetic alphabet.

The Alpha Drop launched earlier this year and contracts are due to be awarded during autumn 2021. This competition document outlines the Bravo Drop, which closes for applications on 9 November 2021.

2. Campaign Scope

2.1 Background

The Dstl Space Programme is launching this Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) campaign to attract novel technological solutions from a broad range of innovators in order to alleviate some of the UK’s Defence and Security space challenges. With appetite for an increased presence in space for the UK, there is a need for more technologies to support those future missions and endeavors. Be it improved data flow, better signal processing, or use of new materials in space - innovation in all areas is vital to meet the demands being faced by the domain.

2.2 Scope

The objective of this campaign is to fund research into space technologies that may not otherwise be developed within the civil space industry. This will address a set of specific problems in the space domain, as outlined in the campaign challenges.

Funded projects are expected to achieve at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 (proof-of-concept) to TRL 6 (demonstration in a relevant environment) by the end of contract. Solutions currently at or above TRL 6 in a civilian environment may be eligible for funding where the technology requires development to operate in a Defence and Security environment (potentially lowering the TRL).

We welcome proposals from across the full range of innovators including academia, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies, from both the UK and overseas. We also welcome joint bids which bring together the strength of different industrial or academic partners.

The campaign is open to innovators from both the existing space sector and those who have not traditionally worked in this domain. Previous experience of Defence and Security work is not a requirement.

3. Bravo Drop Challenges

This drop has 2 challenges.

3.1 Challenge 1: Novel sensing and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) technologies

Contracts available for challenge 1:

• up to £125,000 (ex VAT) for 6 months

• up to £200,000 (ex VAT) for 12 months

• up to £400,000 (ex VAT) for 18 months

Projects are expected to reach TRL 3-6 at the end of the contract. We expect to fund 2-4 projects within this challenge.

Challenge 1 Description

This challenge seeks to develop technologies and demonstrations of novel sensing modes for the space domain for military and intelligence applications; both space-to-ground and space-to-space. Novel modes in this context could include:

• non-traditional space sensing bands (e.g. ultraviolet)

• gravimetric imaging of the space environment

• sparse aperture imaging technologies and processing

• use of novel materials (e.g. metamaterials) for space sensing applications

Associated with sensing from space, ISR satellites have different requirements to civil or commercial ones. We are looking to develop enabling technologies for future sensing satellites. These could include:

• large aperture (optical and radio frequency) development and deployment

• precision timing technologies

• technologies for increasing satellite agility and pointing accuracy for military requirements

• improved assurance of ISR satellites

• technologies to improve data flow (tasking, collection, processing, exploitation and dissemination)

This challenge is not focused on general Earth observation technologies, processes and systems, or those which support explicitly civil or commercial functions (e.g. forestry monitoring or land usage). However, technologies, processes and systems that could be developed for Defence and / or Security purposes would be welcome.

3.2 Challenge 2: Novel approaches to significantly improve signal-to-noise performance of space-related communications, sensing, identification or tracking capabilities for use in Defence and / or Security applications.

Contracts available for challenge 2:

• up to £125,000 (ex VAT) for 6 months

• up to £200,000 (ex VAT) for 12 months

Projects are expected to reach TRL 3-6 at the end of the contract. We expect to fund 2-4 projects within this challenge.

Challenge 2 Description

Novel approaches to significantly improve signal-to-noise performance of space-related communications, sensing, identification or tracking capabilities for use in Defence and / or Security applications. We are looking for solutions that could be useful both in today’s operational environment, but also for the next generation and the generation after next.

This challenge seeks to identify novel technologies, techniques, processes or algorithms that offer improvements to the overall signal-to-noise characteristics of electromagnetic systems used for Defence and /or Security space domain applications. DASA is interested in such methods for enhancing the performance of systems such as electro-optical, infra-red or radio frequency systems for communications, Earth Observation or space domain awareness (SDA) applications. Proposals must be exploitable for Defence and / or Security purposes.

Areas for consideration of signal to noise ratio enhancing technologies and techniques may include (as examples, but are not limited to) the following areas:

• novel technologies to support, or be applied to, either ground-based or on-orbit capabilities; these could apply to space-to-space, ground-to-space and / or space-to-ground segments

• exploration of novel signal processing algorithms and techniques to acquire (and exploit) improved signal response or a reduction in noise performance

• novel hardware and / or software technologies and processes to enhance signal detection and / or data collection performance of imaging, sensing or communications; for example: improved ability to resolve space objects; improved sensitivity or contrast in collected data / imagery; technologies and techniques for increasing operational envelope of system (e.g. daytime observation / tracking of objects)

• exploration of novel radio frequency systems to detect, monitor or communicate with space objects in any / all orbital regimes, for example: enhance achievable signal-to-noise using cost neutral methods within a final system acquisition; improvements in signal link budget characteristics

3.3 Clarification of what we want

We want novel ideas to benefit users working in UK Defence and Security. Your proposal should include evidence of:

• theoretical development, methodological advancement or proof of concept research which can demonstrate potential for translation to practical demonstration in later phases

• an innovative or a creative approach

• a clear demonstration of how the proposed work applies to any Defence and Security context

3.4 Clarification of what we don’t want

For this drop we are not interested in proposals that:

• constitute consultancy or literature reviews which just summarise the existing literature without any view of future development

• are an identical resubmission of a previous bid to DASA or MOD without modification

• present more than one bid with the same technical idea amended for the different contract lengths

• offer demonstrations of off-the-shelf products requiring no experimental development (unless applied in a novel way to the challenge)

• offer no real long-term prospect of integration into UK Defence and Security capabilities

• offer no real prospect of out-competing existing technological solutions

• do not fall clearly into one challenge as outlined above

• need an extensive requirements development phase.

• might have fallen into the scope of the Alpha Drop challenges

For space-specific aspects, we are not interested in:

• technologies or systems relating to space launch

• space technologies where the commercial market is already strongly invested (e.g. general satellite communications)

• proposals relating to human spaceflight and exploration

• proposals which could be considered an irresponsible use of space (e.g. generating unnecessary debris, or violating international treaties)

• areas which constitute research into the specific areas of: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD); security and encryption of optical communications; general object tracking and reentry warning

4. Exploitation

It is important that over the lifetime of DASA competitions, ideas are matured and accelerated towards appropriate end users to enhance capability. How long this takes will be dependent on the nature and starting point of the innovation. Early identification and appropriate engagement with potential end users during this campaign is essential in order to develop and implement an exploitation plan.

All proposals to DASA should articulate the expected development in technology maturity of the potential solution over the lifetime of the contract and how this relates to improved operational capability against the current known (or presumed) baseline. Your deliverables should be designed to evidence these aspects with the aim of making it as easy as possible for potential collaborators / stakeholders to identify the innovative elements of your proposal in order to consider routes for exploitation. Longer term studies may not be able to articulate exploitation in great detail, but it should always be clear that there is some credible advantage to be gained from the technology development.

The outputs of this research will feed back into the Dstl Space Programme which will look to mature successful DASA bids through mission-specific projects, bringing in wider Defence stakeholders as required. The Dstl Space Programme may then seek to further develop the technologies in demonstrator missions, both in-space and elsewhere, for the benefit of future Defence and Security space programmes and procurement activities.

The Supplier research may also be shared through the strategic relationship between Dstl and the UK Space Agency (UKSA). Funding for this competition has been significantly contributed to by the UK Space Agency (UKSA), an Executive Agency of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This opens another potential exploitation route via the National Space Technology Programme.

5. How to apply

Proposals for funding to meet these challenges must be submitted by midday (GMT), 9 November 2021 via the DASA submission service for which you will be required to register.

The total funding for this campaign is expected to be £2m, split over multiple challenge drops. The value of the contracts in Bravo Drop shall vary from £125k to £400k (ex VAT), with durations of 6 to 18 months, each with a gate review at 31 March 2022.

Different categories of funding are available, please refer to section 3 and ensure your proposal fits within one of the categories. The total funding for this campaign is expected to be £2m, split over multiple challenge drops. The value of the contracts in Bravo Drop shall vary from £125k to £400k (ex VAT), with durations of 6 to 18 months, each with a gate review at 31 March 2022. Different categories of funding are available, please refer to section 3 and ensure your proposal fits within one of the categories.

Further guidance on submitting a proposal is available on the DASA website.

5.1 What your proposal must include

The proposal should focus on the Bravo Drop’s requirements but must also include a brief (uncosted) outline of the next stages of work required for exploitation.

Proposals (including any PDF attachments) must be an appropriate length that it will take our reviewers no more than 90 minutes to assess (as a guide, we encourage proposals of up to 5000 words). When submitting a proposal, you must complete all sections of the online form, including an appropriate level of technical information to allow assessment of the bid and a completed finances section. Completed proposals must comply with the financial rules set for this challenge drop.

The upper-limit for this challenge drop is £400k (ex VAT); proposals will be rejected if the financial cost exceeds this capped level or if the cost and duration do not match one of the categories outlined in section 3. You must include a list of other current or recent government funding you may have received in this area if appropriate, making it clear how this proposal differs from this work. A project plan with clear milestones and deliverables must be provided, with the final deliverable provided at least 10 working days prior to the contract end date. This is to allow for formal review and acceptance before the contract end date.

Deliverables must be well defined and designed to provide evidence of progress against the project plan and the end-point for this phase; they must include a final report. You should also plan for attendance at a kick-off meeting at the start of the Bravo Drop, an event at the end of your project, as well as regular reviews with the appointed Technical Partner and Project Manager. Your proposal should assume these to be physical events held in the UK, but should circumstances dictate DASA may choose to hold these remotely as webinars. DASA will also look to have a showcase event after contract end, this will be voluntary and at your own cost.

Your proposal must demonstrate how you will complete all activities / services and provide all deliverables within the Bravo Drop timescales (6-18 months). Proposals with any deliverables (including final report) outside the campaign timeline will be rejected as non-compliant.

A resourcing plan must also be provided that identifies, where possible, the nationalities of those proposed research workers that you intend working on this phase. In the event of proposals being recommended for funding, the DASA reserves the right to undertake due diligence checks including the clearance of proposed research workers. Please note that this process will take as long as necessary and could take up to 6 weeks in some cases for non-UK nationals.

You must identify any ethical / legal / regulatory factors within your proposal and how the associated risks will be managed, including break points in the project if approvals are not received. MODREC approvals can take up to 5 months therefore you should plan your work programme accordingly. If you are unsure if your proposal will need to apply for MODREC approval, then please contact DASA for further guidance.

Requirements for access to Government Furnished Assets (GFA), for example, information, equipment, materials and facilities, should be included in your proposal. DASA cannot guarantee that GFA will be available and where a proposal is reliant on GFA this will result in your proposal being rejected.

Bidders’ proposals must include a deliverable that includes a formal progress report, to be delivered between 4 and 18 March 2022 and, where applicable, a further deliverable for a progress report between 3 and 17 March 2023.

Bidders’ proposals must include a fully costed Option for work they propose to undertake past 31st March 2022, subject to a gate review which will be performed by 31st March 2022.

Failure to provide any of the above listed may render your proposal non-compliant.

5.2 Export control

All suppliers must abide by the export control requirements of their originator country. It is the responsibility of all suppliers to ensure they meet and adhere to their country’s export controls. All relevant export control regulations will apply if a company ultimately wants to sell a developed solution to a foreign entity. All suppliers must ensure that they can obtain, if required, the necessary export licences for their proposals and developments, such that they can be supplied to the UK. If you cannot confirm that you can gain the requisite licences, your proposal will be sifted out of the challenge drop. Additionally, if we believe that you will not be able to obtain export clearance, additional checks may be conducted, which may also result in your proposal being sifted out of the challenge drop.

5.3 Cyber risk assessment

DASA has completed a Cyber Risk Assessment (CRA) for this challenge drop. In order to submit to this competition, innovators are required to work towards cyber resilience. If selected for funding, the innovator must prove cyber resilience before a contract will be awarded.

Innovators must complete a Supplier Assurance Questionnaire (SAQ) here, using the DASA Risk Assessment Reference (RAR) for this competition: RAR-948719413and answer questions for risk level ‘Low’.

The Defence Cyber Protection Partnership (DCPP) will review your SAQ submission and respond with a reference number within 2 working days. The completed SAQ form and resulting email response from DCPP must be downloaded and included within the DASA submission service portal when the proposal is submitted. Please allow enough time to receive the SAQ reference number prior to competition close at midday on 9 November 2021.

If the proposal is being funded, the SAQ will be evaluated against the CRA for the challenge drop, and it will be put it into one of the following categories:

1. Compliant – no further action

2. Not compliant – if successful in competition and being funded, the innovator will be required to complete a Cyber Implementation Plan (CIP) before the contract is placed, which will need to be reviewed and agreed with the relevant project manager

Innovators can enter a proposal without all controls in place, but are expected to have all the cyber protection measures necessary to fulfil the requirements of the contract in place at the time of contract award, or have an agreed Cyber Implementation Plan (CIP). The CIP provides evidence as to how and when potential innovators will achieve compliance. Provided the measures proposed in the Cyber Implementation Plan do not pose an unacceptable risk to the MOD, a submission with a Cyber Implementation Plan will be considered alongside those who can achieve the controls.

A final check will be made to ensure cyber resilience before the contract is placed. Commercial staff cannot progress the competition / procurement without it. This process does not replace any contract specific security requirements.

Further guidance for completing this process can be requested by emailing accelerator@dstl.gov.uk.

Additional information about cyber security can be found at: DCPP: Cyber Security Model industry buyer and supplier guide.

5.4 Public facing information

When submitting your proposal, you will be required to include a proposal title and a short abstract. The title and abstract you provide will be used by DASA, and other government departments, to describe the project and its intended outcomes and benefits. It will be used for inclusion at DASA events in relation to this campaign and included in documentation such as brochures. The proposal title will also be published in the DASA transparency data on GOV.UK, along with your company name, the amount of funding, and the start and end dates of your contract.

5.5 How your proposal will be assessed

At Stage 1, all proposals will be checked for compliance with the campaign document and may be rejected before full assessment if they do not comply. Only those proposals who demonstrate their compliance against the campaign scope and DASA mandatory criteria will be taken forward to full assessment. Failure to achieve full compliance against Stage 1 will render your proposal non-compliant and will not be considered any further:

Mandatory Criteria
The proposal outlines how it meets the scope of the challenge.	Within scope (Pass) / Out of scope (Fail)
The proposal fully explains in all three sections of the DASA submission service how it meets the DASA criteria.	Pass / Fail
The proposal clearly details a financial plan, a project plan and a resourcing plan to complete the work proposed in the relevant challenge.	Pass / Fail
The proposal identifies the need (or not) for MODREC approval and any ethical / legal / regulatory factors and how the associated risks will be managed, including break points in the project if approvals are not received.	Pass / Fail
The proposal includes a deliverable to provide a formal progress report between 4 and 18 March 2022, and where applicable a further deliverable for another formal progress report between 3 and 17 March 2023.	Pass / Fail
The proposal includes a fully costed option for work proposed to be undertaken past 31st March 2022, subject to a gate review.	Pass / Fail
The proposal identifies any GFA required for the relevant challenge; the delivery of the proposal is not reliant on receiving GFA..	Pass / Fail
The proposal value aligns to a category offered within the relevant challenge.	Pass / Fail
The proposal demonstrates how all R&D activities / services (including delivery of the final report) will be completed within the chosen length of contract, starting from the date of contract award.	Pass / Fail
The innovator has obtained the authority to provide unqualified acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Contract.	Pass / Fail
The innovator has done all of the following (see Section 5.3 above): submitted a Supplier Assurance Questionnaire (SAQ) number; attached the email from DCPP; attached the submitted SAQ form	Pass / Fail

Proposals that pass Stage 1 will then be assessed against the standard DASA assessment criteria (Desirability, Feasibility and Viability) by subject matter experts from the MOD (including Dstl), other government departments and front-line military commands. You will not have the opportunity to comment on assessors comments.

DASA reserves the right to disclose on a confidential basis any information it receives from innovators during the procurement process (including information identified by the innovator as Commercially Sensitive Information in accordance with the provisions of this competition) to a third party engaged by DASA for the specific purpose of evaluating or assisting DASA in the evaluation of the innovator’s proposal. In providing such information the innovator consents to such disclosure. Appropriate confidentiality agreements will be put in place.

Further guidance on how your proposal is assessed is available on the DASA website.

After assessment, proposals will be discussed internally at a Decision Conference where, based on the assessments, budget and wider strategic considerations, a decision will be made on the proposals that are recommended for funding.

Proposals that are unsuccessful will receive brief feedback after the Decision Conference.

5.6 Things you should know about DASA contracts

Please read the DASA terms and conditions which contain important information for innovators. For this competition we will be using the Innovation Standard Contract (ISC), links to the contract here: Terms and Schedules. We will require unqualified acceptance of the terms and conditions, therefore if applicable please ensure your commercial department have provided their acceptance.

Funding for this competition has been significantly contributed to by the UK Space Agency (UKSA), an Executive Agency of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Bidders should note that the terms and conditions for this competition have been drawn to include BEIS and its agencies as part of The Authority.

Funded projects will be allocated a Project Manager (to run the project) and a Technical Partner (as a technical point of contact). This Technical Partner might be a subject matter expert from outside of Dstl (another Government department). In addition, the DASA team will work with you to support delivery and exploitation including where appropriate introductions to end-users and business support to help SMEs develop their business.

DASA also collects information from projects after the project has concluded and you should expect to be contacted once your project has completed for measurement purposes.

We will use deliverables from DASA contracts in accordance with our rights detailed in the contract terms and conditions.

The total funding for this campaign is expected to be £2m. There may be occasions where additional funding from other funding lines may subsequently become available to allow us to revisit those proposals deemed suitable for funding but where limitations on funding at the time prevented DASA from awarding a subsequent contract. In such situations, DASA reserves the right to keep such proposals in reserve. In the event that additional funding subsequently becomes available, DASA may ask whether you would still be prepared to undertake the work outlined in your proposal under the same terms.

6. Bravo Drop Dates

Virtual ‘Your Questions Answered’ Event	24 September 2021
Pre bookable 1-1 telecom sessions	30 September and 4 October
Competition closes	Midday (GMT) 9 November 2021
Feedback release	28 January 2022
Contracting	January 2022
Final deliverable	To be provided at least 10 working days prior to the contract end date

6.1 Supporting events

24 September 2021 – A virtual ‘Your Questions Answered’ event providing further detail on the problem space and a chance to ask questions in an open forum. You will be able to submit questions in advance, using the link and the code #S2IB; these questions will be moderated before the event. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page; registration will close on Wednesday 22 September.

30 September and 4 October 2021 – A series of 15 minute one-to-one teleconference sessions, giving you the opportunity to ask specific questions. If you would like to participate, please register on the Eventbrite page.

• 1 to 1 session Thursday 30 September 2021

• 1 to 1 session Monday 4 October 2021

7. Help

Campaign queries including on process, application, commercial, technical and intellectual property aspects should be sent to accelerator@dstl.gov.uk, quoting the campaign title. If you wish to be added to the contact list on ECS please email a request into the accelerator inbox, this will ensure you receive future updates on this campaign.

While all reasonable efforts will be made to answer queries, DASA reserves the right to impose management controls if volumes of queries restrict fair access of information to all potential suppliers.

8. Your Questions Answered event Q&A

Q: Can non-UK companies apply?

A: Yes, absolutely. We encourage suppliers from outside the UK to submit. There is a DASA Innovation Partner who covers international suppliers – you can reach out to them.

Q: Do you accept collaboration with non-UK companies?

A: Yes, DASA has funded projects in the past that have been a collaboration with non-UK companies; either the UK or the non-UK company can be the lead entity.

Q: Would solutions from non-space industry be considered?

A: Yes, we welcome technologies from other sectors that can be applied to the space domain.

Q: There is reference in the competition document to possible delays due to clearance for non-UK staff; will UK-based PIs without UK citizenship be equally eligible to receive funds?

A: We need to conduct a basic check on anyone working on your project if it is funded. There is a possibility that could cause delays of up to 6 weeks for non-UK based staff. We encourage you to identify named staff in the proposal as far as possible. We also ask that their nationalities are given so that we can start our part of the process. If you need to hire someone, that is also fine; please detail this in the proposal.

Q: If the core technology was developed outside the UK, e.g. in the US, but the development work would take place in the UK, would the work be eligible for the competition?

A: Yes, the work can take place in the UK and / or the US; this is not expected to be a problem. Please bear in mind potential export control implications e.g. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Q: Is there a template for the proposal available online? Are there page number limits?

A: The online submission form is the ‘living’, up-to-date version of the application form. There is no template available online, but submitters often create a Word doc or Google doc from the online version to share with their team and work on it together. The text can then be cut and pasted back into the online form. It’s important to submit your information on the online form itself and not via an attachment. There is no page number limit. We give assessors 90 minutes to read the applications, so they should be readable in an hour to allow time for the assessment within the 90 minutes. There is some guidance in the competition document for this particular competition regarding page limits (section 5.1, What your proposal must include).

Q: Is one organisation allowed to submit multiple applications for different ideas?

A: Yes, this is allowed as long as the proposals are different from one another and independent, not relying on the outcome of another proposal.

Q: Why are the challenges, at least the areas of innovations, not released in one go, rather than waiting for each drop?

A: There are various reasons for the campaign approach. There is a limit to how many projects we can support at one time. It can be useful to have a phased approach (this is not uncommon for DASA competitions), with the phases relating to each other and following on from past work. This can allow the same topic to continue at a different level of development. It can also allow a natural pause in the development, and having different phases or drops allows new organisations to bid in when the new themes are announced.

Q: Is one organisation allowed to request more than one 1-to-1 session to discuss alternative ideas?

A: Yes, as long as the ideas are separate, this should be fine.

Q: Is there a document summarising the current data workflow for satellites and roadmap for future satellite sensor capability and foreseen data processing needs?

A: No, not one that can be shared. The competition is being run at official level and much of that information that the MOD is working on is at a higher classification than that.

Q: If a supplier has already submitted a proposal, to Alpha Drop, can they still apply to Bravo Drop?

A: Yes, please do. This is encouraged, as long as it is not an identical resubmission of a previous bid to DASA or MOD without modification and meets the challenges in Bravo Drop.

Q: Do project partners need to be effectively costed or can they make some in-kind contributions and provide letters of support?

A: Either is possible. If you have a collaborating organisation or individual, you can add them as fully or partially costed. If the collaborator wants to provide something at no cost (e.g. time, facilities, materials) they can provide a letter confirming this contribution.

Q: Noting that challenge 1 is ‘not focused on general Earth observation technologies, processes and systems…’, is imaging for Earth observation within the scope of the competition?

A: Technologies to improve resolutions would be in scope. We will look for technologies for defence purposes so focus on that and err away from purely humanitarian applications. There is no reason why applying an algorithm for detecting one thing cannot be altered to detect another.

Q: What would a pathway to capability acquisition look like for a DASA project?

A: The aim would be for the technology to be used in projects in Dstl’s Space Programme. It could also be offered out to front line commands in the MOD if it supported their goals. If the technology had progressed to TRL 6 and we wanted to develop this further, there may be future challenges within the Space to Innovate Campaign to facilitate this.

Q: Are there rules for eligible and ineligible costs, e.g. is there a cap on allowable overhead rates?

A: There are no official caps, but there are costs that cannot be covered such as, conference attendance, postgraduate fees (masters, PhD). We ask that you breakdown the overhead costs as much as possible in the proposal. For example, if staff costs are included in the overheads, break these down into the individual costs; the daily rate of the staff member and the number of days they will work on the project etc. We ask that reasonable costs are requested and that you consider the value for money that you are offering. Excluded costs are listed in the Terms and Schedules.

Q: Do assessors view the proposals online or are they given the downloaded PDF? The formatting for each appears to be quite different.

A: Assessors view the proposals online so they see what is on the page rather than something that is downloaded. All information should be there for them, however they access the proposal. Sometimes both formats will be used. We are aware that there can be an issue with differences in formatting at times but please don’t worry about that. What we are interested in is the idea and the important thing is that we understand this.

Q: Pending a successful bid, are staged payments an option?

A: There is some guidance in the schedules around payments. Staged payments are encouraged, but need to be made against a firm deliverable and this needs to reflect your cash flow. There can be a maximum of 6 deliverables, the last one needing to be a minimum of 20% of the project’s total value. The payments need to be for work you have completed. They will be paid within 30 days of the payment request being deemed valid.

Q: If a proposal has been rejected at Open Call, but the proposal now fits with the Bravo Drop requirements, can the same submission be made without changing?

A: The proposal needs to specifically address the problem outlined in the challenge; this is likely to require some modification to a previously submitted proposal. Cutting and pasting a previous submission will not be accepted. If by chance you have previously submitted something that exactly meets this challenge, look at the feedback received from your previous submission for ways to improve the bid and speak with your innovation partner before submitting .

Q: Are there any guidelines on how to break costs down in the proposal?

A: There is an extensive set of guidelines in the online form itself. There are two parts to the financial section. In one section, you will need to list all costs under their relevant headings (staffing, consumables etc.) And in the other section, you will need to list all costs against the deliverables. These totals should match, so please check that they do before submitting. There is also guidance on the DASA website: How to submit a proposal (see stage 4) and How your proposal is assessed.

Q: For our benefit, can you please summarise the difference between the Alpha drop and the current Bravo Drop? Are the themes different or the expected TRL of the solution?

A: Alpha Drop was focused on visualisation and space situational awareness (SSA). The Bravo Drop theme is intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) enablers and technologies to improve signal-to-noise ratio. The expected TRL is the same; TRL 3-6 as an end point.

Q: Is it possible to use the 1-to-1 session to sound out the idea that we want to submit?

A: There are two ways to do this. First, you can post the question at an official 1-to-1 session for Bravo Drop. The dates are 30 September and 4 October and you can book a slot online. The 1-to-1 session will be attended by individuals from the technical team, the DASA innovation partner and other DASA team members. Second, you can connect directly with your DASA innovation partner and have a longer conversation with them about the competition. They will take any technical questions to the Dstl team on your behalf.

Q: Can DASA innovation partners assist with determining whether a specific idea is best fitted to the Open Call or Bravo Drop?

A: It depends on how technical your request is. Innovation partners have their own technical specialisms and will not necessarily be able to discuss your innovation at a deep level. The 1-to-1 sessions are a better fit for technical questions. Please also note that innovation partners are not allowed to help suppliers write applications, or proof read applications, but they can answer top level questions. However, your innovation partner can take questions on your behalf to the Dstl technical team (but be aware of time frames). If you are considering the Open Call we suggest you talk with your innovation partner first and submit an innovation outline (like an expression of interest).

9. Clarification Questions

9.1 General Questions

Q: Are you looking to contract a certain type of organisation?

A: No, we work with any size and type of organisation. You do not need to partner with anyone if the project does not require it. If you do partner with another organisation, please describe what value they will add to the proposal. The assessors will look for this. Breakdown the costs for the different organisations, and the individuals working in them, as much as possible in the finance section. This will help the assessors understand where the funding is being spent and assess value for money. Please note that the Terms and Conditions will need to flow down to any subcontractors. Please make sure they are aware and understand them.

Q: Can we collaborate with foreign companies / entities? Or lead the research and development as a foreign company / entity ourselves?

A: Yes, but please consider future exploitation routes and export control implications (for example International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) etc). If you are a non-UK company there is a DASA innovation partner who works internationally who you can connect with.

Q: Can I use a non-UK national research worker on my project?

A: Yes, it’s fine to use non-UK national researchers. Both UK and non-UK national researchers will need to complete a Form 388 that DASA will use to perform due diligence and obtain necessary clearances. A Form 388 will be sent to you if you’re successful under a DASA competition. The process can take up to 6 weeks, but we have allowed time for that during the contracting period.

Q: Is a letter of support needed?

A: Letters of support are unnecessary, but can be provided if you wish.

Q: Regarding payment milestones, are they evenly spaced across the projects?

A: No, they need to be cash neutral, so you are not billing us for things you haven’t done. There can be a maximum of 6 payment milestones and they need to be associated with a deliverable. They need to be at key points throughout the proposal where we can easily measure progress. They do not need to be spaced equally, though bidders must break out their deliverables plan into two items, pre and post the gate review. We also ask that the final due payment is equal to at least 20% value of your overall bid. The schedules will talk about this in a more commercial sense. If successful at the decision conference, Dstl commercial will discuss with you any issues we may have.

Payments are made after each deliverable; the deliverable is checked first and the payment will be made within 30 days of the claim being validated.

Q: Can we use the Intellectual Property (IP) we generate during the competition in the future?

A: The contract for this competition includes the IP condition DEFCON 705. DEFCON 705 vests ownership of IP with the contractor, with MOD securing user rights. Thus, the IP is owned by the contractor, and consequently the innovator can use the IP it generates in the future.

Q: Can we submit more than one proposal?

A: Yes, it is possible to submit more than one proposal, but each must be self-standing and will be assessed individually on its own merits.

Please remember that if all your proposals are successful, they need to be delivered within the stated timescale. Please also ensure that you are able to adequately resource projects, with none to the detriment of the other’s timeline or deliverables.

If you are considering addressing both challenges, please submit one proposal for each challenge. Picking a single challenge and addressing it well will make a better proposal.

Q: If successful, we will have more than one DASA project running at the same time. Is that acceptable?

A: Yes, as long as duplicated work is not claimed for within the proposal being submitted to this competition. Please make any overlapping work clear within your proposal and ensure any risks are identified and mitigated as much as possible.

Q: What TRL are you looking for?

A: Funded projects are expected to achieve at least Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 (proof-of-concept) to TRL 6 (demonstration in a relevant environment) by the end of contract. Solutions currently at or above TRL 6 in a civilian environment may be eligible for funding where the technology requires development to operate in a Defence and Security environment (potentially lowering the TRL). Solutions that will reach more than TRL 6 at the end of the project would not be eligible for this competition.

Q: There will be a variety of technologies within the challenge areas - how will you compare them like for like during the decision-making process?

A: The aim is to get the best ideas from innovators and find something that defence can use. There are no preconceived ideas about what approach will be favoured; it’s all about finding the best idea . The proposals will be assessed against the standard DASA assessment criteria (Desirability, Feasibility and Viability). The proposal is assessed in isolation and on its own merit.

Q: How can I structure the proposal with respect to the Desirability, Feasibility and Viability?

A: All three sections are required for submission. The form gives guidance in each section about what is being sought, but we also recommend getting in touch with the DASA innovation partner in your region who can help support you.

Please complete the boxes on the online form rather than uploading a separate document that contains the information. You can create headings in the Desirability, Feasibility and Viability sections; some of the best applications copy and paste the specific questions from the guidance and use them as headings within each of these three sections.

Q: There are different levels of funding / duration for each challenge. If we were to pick one of the lower funding options but found we could mature the technology further, could we extend the contract once the project has started?

A: No, we will not extend contracts awarded in this competition. The future challenge drops might draw on the previous challenges (although it is not possible to confirm at this point what the content of future drops will be), so you might submit another proposal in the future to mature your idea.

Q: Will successful proposals be exploited through other ongoing Dstl programmes?

A: With this competition we are looking at relatively low TRLs and innovations we have not considered before. The exploitation routes will be determined by the outputs of the projects.

Q: We are quite removed from the end-user. How can we be sure our technology has a use for end-users; do we need to include evidence of end-user support in our proposal?

A: If you believe your idea fits within one of the challenge areas, then that is sufficient; the competition document has been drafted with end-user needs in mind.

If your bid is successful, you will be assigned a technical partner who can help facilitate end-user engagement. We would encourage you to tie your idea in to a defence need in the proposal as much as possible. Resources like the integrated review might help with framing its strategic fit.

Q: Are you expecting us to match-fund?

A: No, we are not expecting innovators to come in with match funding. If you will be match funding, please declare that within your proposal.

Q: Does this funding come under de minimis funding?

A: No, it is not a grant. We are placing a contract.

Q: If we were successful in the Alpha Drop, does that have impact on Bravo Drop?

A: No, if you have been successful on a previous drop it does not give you an advantage in future drops. If your proposed work is a continuation of a previous project, please state in the proposal how it leads on from the previous work.

Q: My University automatically adds overheads. What is the best way to deal with these in the application?

A: We understand that this is often the case. We would encourage you to breakdown the overheads into their component parts as much as possible, eg into staff costs (individuals if possible) and equipment costs. This will allow the assessors to better assess the proposal’s value for money. Things like building maintenance will not need to be detailed.

9.2 Scope Questions

Q: The challenge areas are quite broad. Do you expect suppliers to address all the topics within a challenge, or components of them?

A: We would be happy with components, as long as they stay cognisant of the wider challenge.

Q: Are you expecting to evaluate performance via specific criteria?

A: In terms of measuring the performance, we look to you to detail that within your proposal. The test and evaluation needs to be suitable to what you are proposing.

Q: Will we have access to MOD datasets?

A: Your proposal should not be reliant on us providing you with datasets; reliance on Government Furnished Assets (GFA) will result in your proposal being rejected. You can state within your proposal what assets you would like, however you should include a contingency plan in case these cannot be provided.

Q: What are future challenge drops likely to be looking for?

A: This has not yet been decided and will depend on several things, including how the Space Programme matures and which challenges might be useful to mature (depending on how the Alpha and Bravo Drop projects go). It is therefore not possible to say at this point.

9.3 Challenge 1 Questions

Q: Is there a major technology request that we should address for challenge 1?

A: There is a bulleted list of examples within the competition document, but it is not an exclusive list. We are looking at a wide range and it will come down to the benefits of the innovation to address the challenge.

Q: Is there a range of satellite classes you are interested in?

A: We are looking at most sizes, so it would be up to you if you want to tailor it to a specific size. It would need to be something the MOD would realistically use / fund. In theory all of the small satellite classes, down to nano-satellites, and potentially larger ones. Something in the region of 100-200kg would be more relevant than a 40 tonne satellite. The main thing is that it meets the requirements.

Q: Is the 76-81 GHz band considered a non-traditional space sensing band?

A: Yes, it would be considered a non-traditional space sensing band.

Q: With respect to a large aperture are you looking for this in one or many satellites?

A: Either is acceptable; both are interesting. The [integrated review should contain information about space assets and the MOD’s approach to space.

Q: What is meant by large aperture; 1k by 1k, 2k by 2k ? Is square or rectangular preferred?

A: There is no preference. The main aim is to have a novel way of increasing resolution in the bands, so that a solid large mirror is not needed.

Q: Is a foldable or deployable antenna preferred?

A: We are looking for innovative ideas, something that is a new solution and which addresses the need outlined in the competition document.

Q: What type of agility are you looking for? Eg changing in pointing from one direction to another, travelling to a different point or rendezvous and inspection.

A: To be able to actively slew and change orbital parameters could be interesting. Ability to be unpredictable would be useful.

9.4 Challenge 2 Questions

Q: Are you looking for ideas to work within a specific orbit (e.g. LEO, MEO, GEO)?

A: They should operate in all ranges, as this challenge is not focused on one specific orbit.

Q: For challenge 2, do you have a preference when it comes to communications: in space, space-to-air, or space-to-ground?

A: No preference. As long as one of the end points is space, then that is acceptable.

Q: What scenarios might be used for assessment?

A: There are no defined scenarios.