Apr. 24 2024
Source Page: Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Major Procurement AreasFound: Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Major Procurement Areas
Apr. 24 2024
Source Page: Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Major Procurement AreasFound: Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) Major Procurement Areas
Apr. 25 2024
Source Page: Minister for Defence Procurement speech at Strategic Command ConferenceFound: Minister for Defence Procurement speech at Strategic Command Conference
Feb. 28 2024
Source Page: Defence Procurement Minister oral statement on the Integrated Procurement Model - 28 February 2024Found: Defence Procurement Minister oral statement on the Integrated Procurement Model - 28 February 2024
Feb. 27 2024
Source Page: Minister for Defence Procurement speech at the International Military Helicopter Conference - 27 February 2024Found: Minister for Defence Procurement speech at the International Military Helicopter Conference - 27 February
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the defence procurement system.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Department uses a range of measures to assess the effectiveness of defence acquisition. We have reduced the average time taken to deliver our projects and programmes. But we must go further to drive pace. I therefore announced plans for a new Integrated Procurement Model in my oral statement of 28 February 2024 on Defence Acquisition Reform.
A guidance note setting out the key features of the new model was placed in the Library and is available at Integrated Procurement Model: driving pace in the delivery of military capability - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Asked by: Sarah Atherton (Conservative - Wrexham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department's assessment of companies against its social value criteria gives equal weighting to benefits that are brought (a) direct to the UK and (b) overseas.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) applies the Social Value Model to all of its in-scope competitive procurements, in accordance with the Cabinet Office Social Value Policy. The MOD ensures correct and consistent application of the Social Value Model through additional policy, guidance, training and through engagement with industry through the Defence Supplier Forum. Its application is monitored through appropriate governance, reporting and reviews.
Weightings are applied to the award criteria, and supplier proposals are assessed qualitatively not quantitively in tender evaluation. The Social Value Model does not discriminate based on where social value is delivered. However where appropriate, and having due regard to UK market access obligations to our international fair-trade agreements (FTAs), procurements may specify, within their social value requirement, the social value to be delivered in specific geographical locations.
MOD currently applies Cabinet Office Social Value rules, and further, Defence specific values. For example, the New Medium Helicopter procurement has a strong weighting for UK workshare and exportability. To ensure the maximum impact of the Integrated Procurement Model, particular in supporting the development of sovereign capability, I will be undertaking a rapid review of how MOD applies social content rules on Defence Procurement.
Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when social value considerations will be included in all single source procurement contracts.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The aim of all public spend is to optimise social value as set out in the HM Treasury Green Book, including single source procurement contracts undertaken by Ministry of Defence (MOD). The Social Value Model seeks additional benefits. In MOD the Social Value Model is applied to all competitive procurements (where it is relevant and proportionate to do so) but has not currently mandated its use for single source procurements.
Social Value considerations can be applied to single source procurements through requirement setting and negotiated to a position of mutual agreement.
However, single source procurements in defence are subject to existing Single Source Contract Regulations and as such applying the Social Value Model is not a straightforward matter. We are considering how the Model can be applied to achieve the policy intent in single source procurement contracts.
Asked by: Maria Eagle (Labour - Garston and Halewood)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to Q21 of the oral evidence given to the Committee of Public Accounts on 22 January 2024, HC 451, when his Department plans to introduce inflation-linked contracts in defence procurement competitions.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence already uses inflation-linked contracts in defence procurement competitions.
Asked by: Lord Browne of Belmont (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure transparency and cost-effectiveness in the procurement of defence equipment, given the increasing complexity and expense of modern military hardware.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Ministry of Defence is implementing a new Integrated Procurement Model to drive pace in delivery of military capability to UK forces on the front line, so that we stay ahead of our adversaries in a fast changing strategic environment.
A key feature will be a Defence-wide portfolio to prioritise requirements at the departmental level to ensure we achieve greater effect from the available budget.
Spiral development, the delivery of a minimum deployable capability quickly which is then iterated in the light of experience and advances in technology throughout its in-service life, will be supported by new commercial pathways to increase speed and value for money.
As part of a new alliance with industry we will be more transparent about Defence's future acquisition pipeline to help shape markets, focus R&D efforts and build resilience into our industrial base.
In addition, the Procurement Act 2023 will deliver a step change in transparency and openness, with notices mandated for direct awards and publication requirements extended from planning to termination, including contract performance. A single central platform for contract data will give everyone access to certain procurement information, although there will be occasions when information will be withheld from publication on national security grounds.
Finally, we have reformed the Single Source Contract Regulations which provide regulatory assurance on value for money where we procure in the absence of competition. These reforms, which come into effect on 1 April, introduce simplifications and flexibilities to ensure the Regulations continue to adapt to changes in what we buy and how we buy it.