New DASA Themed Competition – Catch the ChemBio SCENT! Closes 17 January 2022

We are delighted to announce a new DASA Themed competition that is running for MOD and DOD. There are a number of challenges outlined in this competition that are diverse in nature, therefore it is anticipated that proposals will address either the screening, collection or forensic exploitation challenge.

• Screening technologies are predominantly focused on identifying specific (known) or well-characterised ChemBio Hazards. Screening for a wider range of materials is restricted due to the limitations of handheld or field-based screening technologies being able to detect a broad range of undefined compounds. The ability to detect a broader range of chemicals requires significant laboratory equipment/expertise/time.
• Collection technologies can sample materials from surfaces but do not protect and stabilise the sampled materials for storage and transport (i.e. without cold chain support that are often unavailable in austere environments or in a non-permissive operational context)
• Forensic exploitation technologies are in their infancy in the field of attribution and often require data-intensive approaches taking weeks or months to undertake. New ways of working that expedite the process and/or identify new signatures to enable the source material to be attributed across the timeframes traditionally associated with analysis (i.e. hours, days) are required.

The competition has funding of up to £1M (ex VAT), but individual proposals cannot exceed £100K (ex VAT). If successful, contracts will be awarded for a maximum duration of 12 months.

• There will be a virtual launch/Q&A event on 16 November, book to attend here.
• You can book 1-1s with the technical team on the 17 and 18 November. Click here for the 17th and here for the 18th.

DASA encourage collaboration between organisations for this competition. To support this, they have a short survey to collect details of those who wish to explore collaboration possibilities. If you are interested in a collaboration, please complete the survey here and your details will be circulated among other potential suppliers who have completed the survey and are interested in collaborating. If you choose to complete the Supplier collaboration survey, please be aware that all of the information you submit in the survey will be provided to other Suppliers who also complete the survey.

The full competition document and further details are here.

MBDA and the NCC are challenging the Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) sector to aid the future of sustained high-speed flight.

The future of flight is heading towards hypersonic speeds. This means there is a need for new airframe materials that can operate at the elevated temperatures that these higher speeds bring.

Together MBDA and the NCC are launching the ‘MBDA Ceramic Matrix Composite Airframe Technology Challenge’ to identify novel CMC materials and manufacturing methods for future airframes.

Successful challengers will receive funding to develop a proof of concept for a temperature resilient airframe forebody, which could lead to a contract for a demonstrator.

The challenge is open now and will run until Friday 17th December. To find out more about the challenge process, or to apply, click the relevant document below or see this link.

• Challenge pack
• Proposal template
• Challenge NDA – please sign and return the NDA when submitting your proposal
• Terms and Conditions – please sign and return the terms and conditions when submitting your proposal.

A webinar is being held at 10:00 on Tuesday 23rd November to explain the challenge in more detail and answer any questions interested companies may have. To register for the webinar, click here.

DIT will be attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) (https://www.ces.tech/) in Jan 2022 and will be having a UK Pavilion with space for UK companies to exhibit. The UK country pavilion will be in Eureka Park, the Innovation and Start-up arena and DIT is looking for applications from UK technology and digital companies that demonstrate the very best of British technology.  While the focus of the event is (obviously) consumer-focused the topics on the conference programme include 5G, Smart Cities, Automotive, Digital Health, Gaming and more – so do take a look to see if you fit the criteria and get involved.
 
UK companies wishing to apply to exhibit on the UK pavilion must fit within the criteria set by the CTA (organisers of CES), the criteria can be found here:

https://www.ces.tech/Exhibitors/Exhibits-and-Meeting-Space/Apply-to-Exhibit-at-Eureka-Park/Eureka-Park-Entry-Criteria.aspx

If companies do not meet the criteria set out by the CTA (show organisers), they cannot be offered a place on the UK Pavilion.

There are three particularly important Eureka Park criteria to be aware of:

• Start-ups are limited to exhibiting in Eureka Park for a maximum of 2 years so if you have exhibited twice before, you will not be eligible to exhibit in Eureka Park again
• If you have exhibited elsewhere at the show in any other hall, you will not be eligible to exhibit in Eureka Park
• If a company has launched (meaning actual product sales) its first product, it must have been launched on or after January 1, 2020.  Any start-ups with products that launched before this date will not be considered

If the criteria preclude you from exhibiting at Eureka Park, you can contact the CTA directly (https://www.ces.tech/Exhibitors/Exhibit-Space.aspx#contact) to reserve your own space at the show.

DIT Offer
DIT are keen to collate information on all UK companies attending CES, whether or not you already have your own stand or are just attending and not exhibiting, to enable you to take advantage of DIT support whilst at the show.

The offer for all UK companies attending CES includes:

• Entry into the UK company directory and we will help facilitate introductions to any overseas companies that express an interest in meeting with you.

• Use of our meeting booths on the UK Pavilion so you can meet with overseas potential buyers/partners
• Invitations to DIT activity at the show
• PR/Comms amplification for any new product launches or awards at the show

The link below will allow you to inform DIT of your intentions at CES 2022, either applying for a space to exhibit on the UK pavilion, attending with your own company stand or attending to represent your company but not exhibiting (if you have previously clicked the link and filled out an application, there is no need to re-apply)

https://www.events.great.gov.uk/ces2022

Please note that an application to exhibit on the stand does not guarantee you a place.  if your application has been successful DIT will be back in contact with you after the application closing date of 8^th November.

They are also interested in hearing from you if you are planning any product launches at CES or are the recipient of a CES award so do feel free to get in contact to see how we can support.

NATEP helping SMEs innovate in aerospace

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million to carry out industry-led civil aerospace collaborative R&D projects.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY 

Innovate UK smart grants: autumn 2021

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing and commercially viable research and development (R&D) innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Farming Innovation Programme: small R&D partnership projects

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of £11 million for small research and development (R&D) Partnership Projects, from the industry-led R&D Partnerships Fund, a part of the Farming Innovation Programme.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Farming Innovation Programme: feasibility projects

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of £5.5 million for feasibility projects, from the industry-led research and development (R&D) Partnerships Fund, a part of the Farming Innovation Programme.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Eureka Eurostars 3: opportunity 1

UK registered small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for a share of up to £2.5 million to develop collaborative research in partnership with organisations from participating Eureka Eurostars member countries.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

EoI: ISCF Transforming Foundation Industries: demonstrators

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £14 million for demonstrations of innovative technology for UK foundation industries. We have allocated £180,000 for this expression of interest (EoI) stage.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Transforming food production: series A investor partnership

Investors can apply to partner with Innovate UK to align their investments with up to £5 million grant funding in UK registered small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to transform food production towards net zero by 2040.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

SMEs transforming food production: series A investor round 2

UK registered SMEs transforming food production towards net zero can apply for a share of up to £5 million in grant support. This must align with a series A investment.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Circular economy for SMEs: innovating with the NICER programme

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £1 million to research, test and develop step-change circular economy approaches.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Biomedical catalyst 2021 round two: feasibility and primer awards

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £12 million to develop innovative healthcare products, technologies and processes.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

India and UK creative industries and cultural heritage engagement

AHRC, working with UKRI India, Innovate UK, the British Council, and partners in India, is seeking to commission scoping and engagement activity related to India-UK research.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Digital security by design: software ecosystem development

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £8 million for projects to work on the development of the digital security by design (DSbD) software ecosystem.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

EUREKA GlobalStars Taiwan digital industrial collaborations

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £865,000 to develop collaborative innovation projects in partnership with organisations from participating EUREKA members and GlobalStars countries.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Healthy ageing challenge: designed for ageing

UK registered businesses can apply for a share of up to £14.4million for service-led innovations to support healthy ageing.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Ofgem 2021: Whole system integration: discovery

Organisations can apply for funding under the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund to deliver projects that offer value to energy consumers and society through energy network innovation.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Ofgem 2021: Data and digitalisation: discovery

Organisations can apply for funding under the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund to deliver projects that offer value to energy consumers and society through energy network innovation.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Ofgem 2021: Heat: discovery

Organisations can apply for funding under the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund to deliver projects that offer value to energy consumers and society through energy network innovation.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Ofgem 2021: Zero emission transport: discovery

Organisations can apply for funding under the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund to deliver projects that offer value to energy consumers and society through energy network innovation.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

SBRI: UK National Robotics Proving Ground: feasibility studies

Organisations can apply for a share of up to £500,000, inclusive of VAT, to develop high level design concepts for a UK National Robotics Proving Ground.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

SBRI: Vaccines for epidemic diseases

Organisations can apply for a share of up to £10 million inclusive of VAT, to enhance clinical and regulatory preparedness of vaccines against diseases that have outbreak potential in a low or middle-income country.

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

SBRI: Heat Pump Ready Programme, Stream 1

Organisations can apply for a share of up to £30,000,000 available in stream 1 to develop solutions for high-density heat pump deployment

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) is responsible for the Defence Estate. DIO has recently identified five priority areas:

• Optimise the use of and improve the condition of assets – improving productivity; building standards; multi-purpose assets; modern methods of construction (including platform approaches).
• Enhance security and resilience across the Defence estate – climate adaptation, physical security, cyber security, counter-terrorism standards, enhancing cyber security; improve climate security.
• Improve the experience of those who live, work and train on the estate – improving office air quality; smart buildings; improved messing; smarter working; customer satisfaction; safety.
• Meet Defence’s net-zero commitments – carbon management tools; renewable energy; decarbonisation.
• Embrace and exploit digital capabilities and management information – improving internal systems; view and analyse data; digital twins; sensing.

If you are interested in an opportunity to contribute towards some ‘lunch and learn’ session to DIO in one or more of these areas, please mention that you have been sent this opportunity by DASA Scotland and send a short brief within the next few weeks (I suggest a maximum 500-words) to Qian.Wang100@mod.gov.uk

DASA contacts:

Deb (djcarr@dasa.service.mod.uk) – Innovation Partner
Linda (lgalloway@dasa.service.mod.uk) – Innovation Partner
Anis (amourad@dasa.service.mod.uk) – Access to Mentoring and Finanace

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) Materials for Strategic Advantage Science and Technology (S&T) Programme is exploring different ways of working to deliver future research. To supplement existing routes to market, Dstl is exploring working collaboratively with UK Centres of Excellence on different aspects/topics of Advanced Materials.

In order to assess the viability of this model, Dstl has issued a Prior Information Notice (PIN), which can be found here:

Generation after next Materials – Centres of Excellence

Generation after next Materials – Centre of Excellence – Early Market Engagement Prior Information Notice

The purpose of the PIN is to share Dstl’s thinking regarding future collaborative working in materials and to solicit information from the market on the viability of this approach, including welcoming additional ideas for collaborative working which we may not have considered. Key technical areas of interest are included in the document, but Dstl is also welcoming feedback on Centres that may be able to support the development of Dstl staff across a broad spectrum of materials technologies that can be included in the questionnaire response.

Responses are requested by the 18^th of November on the linked Questionnaire. Please note this is NOT a solicitation for proposals nor does this imply a commitment on Dstl’s part to proceed with contract action. The exercise is to understand the viability of this working model to inform a potential future procurement strategy. Should a future procurement result after the PIN advert this will be run in a fair and open competition in accordance with the appropriate Procurement Legislation.

Should you have any queries in relation to the information contained in this communication, the adverts and PIN document and questionnaire, please send these in the first instance by email to okell@dstl.gov.uk

What are innovation focus areas?

Whilst the Open Call welcomes a wide range of innovative ideas to solve problems faced by our defence and security customers, DASA is keen to share insight on specific topics of interest. Innovative solutions for any innovation focus area should be channelled via the Open Call for Innovation.

Each innovation focus area has a unique identifier to help us ensure that your innovation is seen by the appropriate parts of Government. You will be able to choose this identifier when you submit your bid and should use it in all communications with DASA.

The following information is from this link.

Next Generation Wearable Technology

Unique Identifier IFA031

Technologies that can be used to collect physiological data (both physical and molecular parameters) from individuals in real-time, continue to develop rapidly. Such developments might be in terms of metrics measured, device functionality and/or form factor (site and style of measurement device). Conceptually, there are obvious drivers for the utility of data from such devices in defence capabilities. However, there remain gaps in the evidence base to support what metrics might be reliably measured by wearable technologies and how data from these platforms might be used to improve decision making in a defence context to protect human health and wellbeing.

Dstl has an aspiration to understand what metrics can be collected from wearable technology platforms that are of credible value to the defence user community (i.e. the metrics are sufficiently robust that they can reliably and confidently inform effective and timely decision making). This IFA is therefore seeking propositions that demonstrate novel technology development and/ or data analytics tools that provide information to inform decision making pathways e.g. changes to health and wellbeing that could inform decision making pathways (i.e. as part of a system not a sole diagnostic device) or assist with assessing human performance.
Proposals should aim to demonstrate that data from wearable technologies have the potential to provide robust, reliable and actionable insight in either acute (minutes/hours – e.g. to intervene in acute injury) or chronic (days/months) timeframes. Of particular interest to this IFA are technologies targeted towards the development of platforms and/or data analytical tools that provide predictive insight, into the effect of physical, psychological and environmental stressors on individuals.

Environmental stressors of interest will include, but are not limited to, thermal (hot or cold), altitude, infection and acute and chronic stress, relative to participant specific baselines. This could include the development of novel sensor platforms that are capable of accessing novel metrics, development of innovative form factors that improve ergonomics; such as reduced size, weight, comfort and/or development of predictive data tools to better understand how to detect, prevent and treat illnesses caused by a range of occupational and environmental stressors.

This IFA focuses on two key challenges/themes:

1) Demonstration of new sensor technologies and of the data generated from these sensors against existing validated measures (where applicable). This should include proof of concept that measures are relevant to a particular state or condition of interest.

And/or

2) Innovative exploitation of signatures generated from current or novel wearable systems to provide prognostic insights into human health and wellbeing. Importantly, this would utilise human participant data (this does not necessarily need to be from a military population) and must provide key insights for preventative interventions.

Within this IFA, DASA expects to fund proposals within Technical Readiness Level 3 – 6 Technical Readiness Level (TRL) (Rapid Impact Category) up to £200k for a maximum of a 12 month contract (Projects will be funded across multiple Financial Years).

We are seeking proposals that encompass:

1) Developments in wearable technology platforms. This may include innovative form factors or methods for measurement, which permit the measurement of novel biosignatures from individuals (physical and/or biochemical parameters). This may include, but is not limited to:

• Introduction of novel measurements that currently cannot currently be made by wearable technologies. This might include sensors capable of measuring hydration status, a stress marker, cardiac measure or other pertinent metric.
• Improvements in quality, robustness and longevity of measurements that can be made using wearable devices e.g. reliability of data collection, data quality, and resolution and duration of data collection.
• Form factors that enable collection of data in a minimally intrusive format and thus may be more exploitable for defence customers, e.g. alternatives to wrist worn devices to include patches, arm worn or chest worn devices. Proposals in this theme should include provision of evidence to support that the data generated from these sensors is credible and can be used to inform decision making. This could include demonstrable comparability of any measurement made to an existing validated measure where applicable and/or proof of concept that those measures are relevant to a particular human condition.

2) Exploitation of signatures generated from current or novel wearable systems to provide prognostic insights into human health and wellbeing.

• Proposals in this theme could for example focus on experimentation using wearable sensors in combination with data analysis to measure and monitor individuals to provide insight into the effects of environments or situations on those individuals.
• Of particular interest would be physical, psychological and environmental stressors such as heat or cold, altitude, infection and acute and chronic stress, relative to participant specific baselines.
• Where proposed models or computational tools are described, algorithms and all source code must be provided for future validation and verification purposes.

We are not seeking proposals that:

• Do not address the need for ethical review (MODREC). Proposals should include GDPR requirements and must include sufficient time to achieve appropriate approvals (currently c. 5 months.) For more information see here.
• Are literature reviews or literature summaries.
• Provide proof of concept data collection only. Proposals for novel sensors should aim to demonstrate that the measure is comparable to a credible/validated method to measure the same parameter/metric where appropriate.
• Demonstrate proof of concept of data collection only i.e. data architectures and software solutions are not acceptable unless part of a predictive system including the integration of novel data analytical tools.
• Do not provide prognostic information.
• Utilise existing commercially restricted algorithms.
• Do not provide source code and/or details on the models/algorithms developed sufficient for an independent reviewer to verify.
• Provide solutions which are already commercial products unless applied in a novel way to a defence specific human condition to provide new insight.
• Offer no real long-term prospect of integration into defence and security capabilities
• Offer no real prospect of out-competing existing technological solutions.

Proposals should aim to generate evidence that data from wearable technologies is meaningful in decision-making frameworks for monitoring and maintaining human health and wellbeing and offers demonstrable benefit over current solutions. There is potential for wide exploitation of options developed within this IFA to be exploited across defence, with successful projects being scoped for further use. The exploitation of technology will be leveraged through the Dstl Protecting Our People programme.

What are innovation focus areas?

Whilst the Open Call welcomes a wide range of innovative ideas to solve problems faced by our defence and security customers, DASA is keen to share insight on specific topics of interest. Innovative solutions for any innovation focus area should be channelled via the Open Call for Innovation.

Each innovation focus area has a unique identifier to help us ensure that your innovation is seen by the appropriate parts of Government. You will be able to choose this identifier when you submit your bid and should use it in all communications with DASA.

The following information is from this link.

Military Systems Information Assurance (MSIA)

Unique Identifier IFA030

Military Systems Information Assurance (MSIA) is a project element within the Cyber Defence Enhancement through Life Project. Funded as part of the UK Government’s Integrated Review of security, defence, development and foreign policy (IR) to modernise UK forces across domains. The IR has highlighted the importance of Cyber defence for the UK Critical National Infrastructure and Defence.

The Defence Enterprise is an expansive, diverse and continually changing construct with a large element of Operational Technologies, many of which are legacy. This presents a large and varied attack surface. With the increasing cyber threat to UK, Information Security is essential. It is therefore critical that the UK understands and adapts to future ways of securing data in order to provide Information Advantage and safeguard critical data.

The purpose of this challenge is to identify, develop and accelerate new and/or novel technical solutions for Information Assurance. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Innovative ways to provide assured information flow across both high bandwidth, reliable, corporate/enterprise level networks, and low bandwidth, intermittent comms channels.
• Innovative ways of securing data at rest.
• Innovative methods for Authentication.
• Securing information in a Cloud environment, i.e. to secure data at rest and whilst being processed; this will focus on end user/system implementation as opposed to relying on the underlying cloud infrastructure.
• Novel cryptographic key management solutions.

Whilst, historically, these solutions have often involved cryptographic based approaches this challenge seeks alternative technologies and approaches that may not use cryptography.

We are seeking proposals that:

• Offer non-conventional technical approaches to Information Assurance solutions
• Will either involve novel uses of existing Cryptographic techniques or alternative, novel, non-cryptographic solutions
• Address either current or future security issues

Proposals will be assessed on the likelihood of successful adoption within a military arena, therefore proposals should address either current or future security issues. Proposals can apply to all types of MoD systems from ships, vehicles, aircraft, dismounted soldiers, Command and Control systems up to MOD Headquarters, and all associated networks and cloud-based environments. Proposals, surmounting the challenges of the end user operating environment, can focus on specific problems (for example the security of a vehicle platform) or general systems (for example, bearer networks).

Successful proposals may provide a range of benefits including enhanced security, or increased efficiency and usability, whilst retaining existing security levels. Whilst this competition is not targeting specific issues, a successful proposal should be clear on how its novel solution or application could provide potential benefits.

We are not seeking proposals that:

• Offer demonstrations of off-the-shelf products requiring no experimental development (unless applied in a novel way to the challenge)
• Are Literature Reviews
• Offer no real long-term prospect of integration into defence and security capabilities
• Offer no real prospect of out-competing existing technological solutions
• Offer the current traditional approach to using Cryptography

Funding for this IFA will be split by Technical Readiness Level (TRL). Less mature, lower TRL (2 – 4) proposals will be considered an Emerging Innovations while more developed, higher TRL (4 – 6) proposals will be considered a Rapid Impact:

• Lower TRL, Emerging Innovations proposals should bid for funding up to £150K to provide a proof of concept within a 6 month contract.
• Higher TRL, Rapid Impact proposals should bid for funding up to £350K to provide a concept demonstrator within a 12 month contract. Government Furnished Assets (GFA) are not available for this IFA so bidders may need to simulate a network/data to develop and prove their technology.

This IFA is open for submissions within the DASA Open Call. (See Para 9.1). Further cycles may be advertised.

To increase the impact and likelihood of exploitation, the output of these proposals may be shared across UK government as appropriate. Furthermore, as deemed appropriate, proposal outputs may be shared with partner nation governments including Five Eyes (FVEYS) partners nations under the rights secured under DEFCON 705. However, DASA reserves the right to apply an alternative Intellectual Property contractual conditions if individual circumstances dictate, to be mutually agreed with you before a contract is awarded. Under the terms of DEFCON 705 any intellectual property generated under the contract belongs to the contractor. In return, the funding Authority obtains a set of rights to use the delivered technical information and associated intellectual property for specified purposes.