Support to Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) Delivery

Description

UWTSD commenced delivery of Degree Apprenticeship programmes in 2018 and is currently the largest provider of Higher Education Degree Apprenticeship programmes in Wales, with more than 1,000 degree apprentices currently enrolled. A central Apprenticeship Unit has been developed offering up to 20 apprenticeship pathways. In September 2018 specialist provision in Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (OME) began delivery to UK nationals with apprentices in the employment of Executive Agencies to the Ministry of Defence, industry, and commercial enterprise. Current enrolment within OME stands at 144 apprentices, with numbers set to increase significantly over the next 10 years. Owing to this expected increase, UWTSD seeks potential suppliers for up to four (4) specific deliverables (LOTS) annually. The UWTSD Group is now seeking to appoint a range of suitably qualified and experienced (SQEP) consultants and facilities to undertaking the following LOTs: LOT 1: Support to academic module delivery through the provision of SQEP. LOT 2: Provision of a chemistry facility and SQEP to conduct small-scale energetic experiments LOT 3: The provision of a range facility and SQEP to conduct ballistic and trace experimentation: LOT 4: The provision of 2 visits per year to an OME establishment for 30 students Lot 1: Support to academic module delivery through the provision of SQEP. academic support for the following subjects Physics (HNC) Physics (BEng) Advanced Physics (BEng) Principles of OME (BEng) Principles of OME (HNC) Principles of Systems Engineering (HNC) Principles of Systems Engineering (BEng) Advanced Systems Engineering Electromagnetic Radiation Instrumentation & Control Safety Hazard & Assessment Safety Hazard & Assessment Technical Authoring Data Capture & Evaluation OME Safety Management & Legislation Lot 2: LOT 2: Provision of a chemistry facility and SQEP to conduct small-scale energetic experiments UWTSD seeks a chemistry facility that can provide an understanding of the importance of nitration reactions in accordance with Explosive Regulations 2014. As a bare minimum, this facility must: Provide the appropriate SQEP oversight for small-scale energetics manufacture (< 100g) based on nitration reactions; Safely accommodate up to 12 students and 3 lecturers at any one time for one day (7.5 hrs) up to a maximum of 4 days per year; Accommodate disposal of explosive and chemical residues in accordance with HSE and UWTSD Health and Safety Services; Provide a seating facility for 12 students and up to 3 lecturers; Provide access to refreshments (coffee, tea, water and sandwiches), lunch and bathroom facilities for 12 students and 3 lecturers; Provide parking for UWTSD 17-seater minibus; and Pass inspection from UWTSD’s HASAW representatives. Whilst energetic items shall lie within quantities that do not require an Explosives Precursors and Poisons (EPP) licence for regulated precursors, the tender response must outline what the facility may look like, and the safety protocols to be adopted. An indication of the type of energetic material that could be manufactured and tested within an EPP licence threshold should also be provided, including the efficacy of testing, retention and disposal of said materials. The potential provider should describe the type of energetic testing that could be demonstrated by student manufactured compositions. Lot 4: LOT 4: The provision of 2 visits per year to an OME establishment for 30 students It is important that students be exposed to OME at an early stage in their apprenticeship pathway. As such, visits to facilities are required to provide an educated understanding of what ordnance and munitions comprise, their concepts of design, and the effects that can be generated. Exposure to delivery systems and target effects is hugely desirable as part of this visit. Tenderers may wish to consider within their response specific answers to: Availability of WOME at their specific site Availability of armoured fighting system platforms at their site Availability of target response material at their site specific to KE penetrators, directed energy weapons and behind armour effects The safety of student and staff whilst at the site. Notes: Potential providers should consider that student numbers would be no less than 15 students per visit, but no more than 30 students per visit during January to December 2024. Visits would only be planned during Semesters 1 and 2 of each academic year, with Year 1 BEng and HNC 1 taking priority Lot 3: LOT 3: The provision of a range facility and SQEP to conduct ballistic and trace experimentation: UWTSD seeks a range facility that: Provides the appropriate SQEP oversight for firearms use and explosive demonstration; Safely accommodates up to 12 students and 3 lecturers at any one time for one day (7.5 hrs) up to a maximum of 4 days per year; Provides appropriate PPE and medical support during the time at which students and lecturers are on-site; Facilitates an explosive demonstration commencing with the burning of unconfined black powder to a deflagration to detonation transition for a low explosive; Facilitates the safe discharge of firearms up to 9 mm in calibre with an appropriately qualified small- arms instructor and range safety trace; Provides a seating facility and protection from inclement weather for 12 students and up to 3 lecturers; Provides access to refreshments, lunch and bathroom facilities for 12 students and 3 lecturers; Provides parking for UWTSD 17-seater minibus Pass inspection from UWTSD’s HASAW representatives Allows students to collect a propellant trace sample for analysis at UWTSD. Notes: The tender response must outline what the facility may look like and the safety protocols to be adopted. The rationale for rotation is described at LOT 2. UWTSD would wish the students to experience the use of light weapons to gain an understanding of recoil from a few grams of propellant, and the target effects. The provider would be required to hold NRA RCO and RSO qualifications and a Section 5 licence. As for the explosive demonstration, the journey through pyrotechnics (effects of heat, smoke, light, sound), low explosives and confined low explosive would be considered the bare minimum. Visits for LOT 3 would take place during Principles of OME delivery, which are timetabled alongside Advanced Chemistry in Semester 1 of each year: BLOCK 1: w/c 07/10/24 and w/c 14/10/24 BLOCK 2: w/c 18/11/24 and w/c 25/11/24