This project will last for 12 weeks with an indicative budget of £60k (ex VAT) per solution provider, with higher budget allowances considered for consortiums.

The National Security Technology and Innovation Exchange (NSTIx) is a government-led science, technology and innovation partnership that enables coherent and agile delivery of innovative national security outcomes through a co-ordinated and systematic approach to research and capability development.
NSTIx has established a government-led network of themed Co-Creation Spaces (CCS). The CCS&rsquo; combine the respective power of specialist public and private sector partners in research, capability development and end user requirements. This supports the development of effective, user-driven technology at pace in areas that are critical to national security. For more information, please see the &lsquo;NSTIx Leaflet&rsquo; in digital form (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nstix-information- leaflet).&nbsp;
Op Tech Co-Creation (OCCS) has engaged with a network of key Community Collaborators, to accelerate and leverage access to their existing networks of industry and academic Solution Providers.&nbsp;
By responding to this Challenge (details provided in &lsquo;Solution Provider Proposals &ndash; &lsquo;our ask&rsquo; section) and participating in Co-Creation there is an exciting opportunity for collaboration between National Security, Community Collaborators and Solution Providers.&nbsp;

Responding to NSTIx OpTech Co-Creation

The objective is to create a functional tool for Law Enforcement users, who will actively participate in the project and support field trials. Funding is available for development up to TRL7, a stage allowing commercial exploitation. While the primary market is in Law Enforcement, there's potential for expansion into industries like Journalism, Healthcare, Sport, and Private Security Services. Background intellectual property (IP) from phases 1 and 2 will be shared under contract and NDA, while foreground IP remains with the solution provider, with ownership negotiations in the contract. Proposals should demonstrate expertise in engineering, AV technology, electronics, user-friendly design, wearables, body-cam development, and commercialization. They should leverage existing background IP rather than starting from scratch. The challenge is open to various entities, including businesses, universities, and research organizations, and encourages consortiums for collaborative projects.

Current state for this Challenge

Working with law enforcement end users, the OCCS have so far developed concept demonstrator models up to TRL4. This consists of a miniaturised AV unit within a robust plastic housing with a magnet on the reverse, this then connects rapidly and easily to the user&rsquo;s chest area where the corresponding docking magnet is placed.&nbsp;
Our journey so far has been: In Phase 1 - Working with a collaborator we observed User Centric Design methods to understand and map the user journey. Exploring existing concept designs and COTS solutions. In Phase 2 &ndash; We created design concepts and field trial these with the users.&nbsp;
We are now in a position where we would like to finish the developments to a TRL7, pre-production unit that can capture evidential AV information in concept described above, by collaborating with a qualified solution provider.&nbsp;

What is the gap?

The focus will be to deliver a working artefact to Law Enforcement users. The users will be heavily involved within this project and so can support field trials within this project and after it has finished. Funding is provided to progress to TRL7, a point where the development could be commercially exploited by the solution provider. There is a modest market within Law Enforcement but we think there is a great opportunity for the solution provider to also explore other industries such as Journalism, Healthcare, Sport, and Private Security Services.&nbsp;
Background IP generated in phase 1 and phase 2 will be shared once under contract and a signed NDA with the solution provider, foreground IP will remain with the solution provider, negotiations of the ownership or the background IP will take place within contract.&nbsp;
We are looking for proposals that state experience and expertise in the fields of general engineering, AV developments, integration, electronics, user friendly mechanical designs, wearables, body-cam developments and commercialisation. Within the proposal consideration should also be given to commercial exploitation, future product support and iterations of the development.&nbsp;

The Challenge

A development from scratch, we would like the solution provider to use the existing background IP that we have generated in phase 1 and phase 2 of Covert Evidential Footage.&nbsp;

Out of Scope

This Challenge is open to sole innovators and to organisations of all types and sizes. This includes UK registered businesses of any size, Universities, and research and technology organisations. Consortiums are encouraged where a sole lead organisation contracts with the Authority &amp; flows the terms, conditions, IP &amp; payments, to the consortium members.&nbsp;
The Authority will evaluate tenders in accordance with the procurement principles of transparency, equal opportunity and non-discrimination &amp; evaluation criteria provided. The Authority reserve the right to make the final decisions as to which proposals are taken forward to apply for funding in the competition.&nbsp;
Proposals are requested by the deadline of Friday 3rd November 2023. An agile approach over the 12 week period is preferred, with sprints designed to work with the National Security community to iteratively define the solution. We have an indicative budget of &pound;60k for a single solution provider, budget increases will be considered for consortiums.&nbsp;

Solution Provider Proposals – ‘our ask’

Proposals will be scored 1 &ndash; 5 on the following criteria:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Timescale &ndash; will the proposal deliver a Minimum Viable Product within the time period&nbsp;defined within this Challenge Form?</li>
<li>Does the proposal fit within the Challenge scope, taking into consideration cost and&nbsp;benefits?</li>
<li>Is the organisation / delivery team credible in this technical area?</li>
<li>Is the technical solution credible?</li>
<li>Will the proposal deliver a full or partial solution? Has the proposal identified collaborators if&nbsp;a partial solution or is willing to work collaboratively with others?</li>
<li>Is it innovative?&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Evaluation criteria

Confidentiality: All proposals will be subject to commercial confidentiality and a maximum protective marking of OFFICIAL. Please do not submit any materials above this classification.&nbsp;
Briefing Call: All parties will be invited to an open Briefing Call via MS Teams on Tuesday&nbsp;10th October at 10am, where members of the OCCS Challenge Team will be available to provide additional context and information on this Challenge, and where attendees can ask Clarification Questions.&nbsp;
A copy of the video briefing can be accessed <a title="Briefing recording " href="https://www.plexal.com/our-work/covert-evidential-footage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here.</a>
Failure to attend the Briefing Call or pre-competition events does not exclude solution providers from submitting a proposal by the deadline stated below.
Frequently Asked Questions &ndash; responses (FAQ): All enquiries from the Briefing Call will be collated, and responses can be found <a title="FAQ's" href="https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FAQ-CEF-v0.3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Pricing: Solution providers are invited to submit Fixed Price proposals for the 12-week engagement. When preparing pricing please provide pricing against 3 monthly payment points in line with the sprint-profile of your project.&nbsp;
Deadline: The deadline for proposals to be submitted is close of business on Friday 3rd November.&nbsp;
Submissions: Please send your proposals via the Community Collaborator you found this Challenge, alternatively you can send it directly to <a href="mailto:cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk">cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk</a>, but please note where you first heard of this Challenge. Ensure you include the title of the Challenge &lsquo;Covert Evidential Footage&rsquo; in your submission.&nbsp;
Format: Final responses for this Challenge can be provided in any format, they will be assessed on the quality of the information as per the Evaluation Criteria. Some Community Collaborators only allow a certain word count in their submission forms, if you need to provide further information, please include attachments.&nbsp;
Selection and notification of finalists: The OCCS Challenge Team aims to select a shortlist of successful proposals by week commencing Monday 13th November and invited to a pitch day.&nbsp;
Pitch day: The OCCS Challenge Team pitch day will be on Thursday 23rd November 2023. An option to attend face to face or online will be made.&nbsp;
Feedback: All applicants will be provided with written feedback via the Community Collaborator once both technical and commercial assessments have been concluded. We will endeavour to provide feedback within 2 weeks of the competition deadline.&nbsp;
Commercial Engagement: The OCCS challenge team will select Solution Providers for this Challenge on the technical and commercial merit of the proposal received, commercial contracts and funding will be engaged through Cranfield University. Intellectual Property deliverables will be engaged with the OCCS under the terms attached.&nbsp;

Next Steps

Regardless of the commercial route selected, the following terms apply:
Please note that by submitting a proposal in response to this challenge you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of contract as issued and are thereby making a formal offer of contract, from which the Authority shall have the right to accept in part or in full should your proposal be deemed acceptable.&nbsp;

Commercial considerations

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Covert Evidential Footage

Opportunity

Challenge opens

Challenge closes

Benefit

Responding to NSTIx OpTech Co-Creation

This challenge is brought to you by:

Covert Evidential FootageCopy Link

Opportunity

Challenge opens

Challenge closes

Benefit

Responding to NSTIx OpTech Co-Creation

This challenge is brought to you by:

Covert Evidential Footage