Enabling the MOD to access innovative research

Managing £300 million novel research portfolio for defence

Frazer-Nash is at the cutting edge of novel and emergent technologies, and working with the Ministry of Defence’s Science and Technology Laboratories (Dstl) is a key part of our work.

We provide technological, analytical and scientific support to Dstl to help address future and current concepts and operational needs and challenges across all the Defence domains: land, sea, air, joint and space.

In 2019, we were awarded the framework management of one of the six major streams of research for Dstl’s Serapis framework; a research programme which focuses on novel areas of C4ISR technology research. Research areas span space systems, synthetic environments, and simulation technology to support human capability development. Over six years, the programme sets out to spend up to £300 million to address key research needs for defence. 

Frazer-Nash is the Lot 6 Prime delivering the “Understand” element of the framework along with our partners Roke Manor, Digital Catapult and University of Birmingham.

Delivering Research differently; a truly collaborative approach

The Ministry of Defence strives to learn from and leverage the best innovative thinking in order to create operational advantage and resilience. Access to non traditional defence suppliers has always been a challenge due to commercial, technical and security constraints.

Frazer-Nash has always held close relationships with Academia and Industry across a diverse mix of markets. Recognising the MOD’s need for diverse expertise, especially in this fast paced area of technology development, Frazer-Nash set up a strong and diverse supply chain managed through a bespoke portal that creates a full, open and honest competition structure. It also enables MOD to reach non-traditional Defence research companies that previously it would have struggled to access.

This allows dstl to get access to specialist expertise and research from: 61 suppliers, 36 SMEs, 10 Non-traditional defence suppliers, 9 Academic institutions.

Enabling a swift route to communicate opportunities and enable contracting with the supply chain

Managing a large supply chain often creates significant challenges and takes up valuable resource and time. Managing the on-boarding of suppliers and communication to ensure the correct information had been obtained is a time consuming process. To achieve an efficient supply chain management system, we implemented a dedicated procurement portal which enables suppliers to on-board themselves by submitting information electronically into the portal. It also enables us to notify the entire supply chain of all oportunities coming through Lot 6 allowing suppliers to self select at EOI.

This system has proven its ability to support swift disemmination of opportunities, selection of suppliers and contracting to support very fast timescales, as required in response to the Government’s need for support to the COVID-19 pandemic task force.