Introduction

This Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) competition is seeking proposals that address the defence logistics and operational energy challenges for a deployed force. We seek proposals that will enhance operational and strategic advantage through support whilst also reducing the vulnerability of UK Defence to environmental risk and mitigating the environmental impact of defence activities. Integration of novel technologies will enable defence to transition from a model of sustaining at reach to being designed for self-sustainment. In this way environmental technologies will give us the means for a revolution in how we operate and fight.

Defence Operational Energy Stratergy

This competition primarily supports The UK Ministry Of Defence concept note Towards Self-Sufficient Operations for Defence also the Defence Operational Energy Strategy being delivered through The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Support and Sustainability Programme (SSP). The focus of this call is defence support and optimised power and energy since they are interlinked and can both contribute to increased deployed endurance. The aim of this competition is to increase deployed endurance across the maritime, land and air domains whilst reducing logistical burden and optimising power and energy.

The 7 Competition challenges

Challenge 1: Food - feeding the winning edge
Challenge 2: Water - harvest and recycle water with increasing efficiency
Challenge 3: Materiel - reducing the supply chain burden
Challenge 4: Waste - trash in to treasure
Challenge 5: Platform Power & Energy - eduring energy
Challenge 6: Platform Thermal Management - keeping cool for persistent power
Challenge 7: Deployed Power & Energy - energy fuels persistence

Proposals can offer solutions to a single challenge or to multiple challenges. If the proposal addresses a single challenge you will be asked to demonstrate awareness of possible linkages to other challenges and the impact your solution may have on them, in order to highlight benefits and disadvantages.

Expected TRL at end of contract

Delivery from the competition will be technologies at technology readiness level (TRL) 3 to TRL 6 each project must move through at least one TRL within the contracting period. Proposals for innovations at higher TRL solutions which have been previously unused in defence would be acceptable as long as the criteria are met.

This dial-in session provides further detail on the problem space from the competition team, with a chance to ask questions in an open forum.

How to apply

Click here to read the themed competition document currently open for application.

Submission deadline:

12:00hrs on Tuesday 2nd July 2024 (BST)

Submit a proposal

You will first be required to register your details to submit a proposal. Only propsals submitted through the DASA Online Submission Service will be accepted.

Total funding available

The total funding available for this competition is £3.1 million (excluding VAT). Succesful proposals will be contracted for 13 months (to allow attendance at the 6 month spotlight and 12 month demonstration events). However the development work can be less than 13 months. We expect to fund a between 5 and 20 proposals of between £50,000 and £500,000 in value.

For further guidance

Click here for more information on our competition process and how your proposal is assessed.

Help: Contact the DASA Help Centre

Competition queries including on process, application, commercial, technical and intellectual property aspects should be sent to the DASA Help Centre at [accelerator@dstl.gov.uk] or phone DASA enquiries 01980 950000 (Option 3) open 09:00hrs to 12:00hrs Monday to Friday, quoting the competition or contact your local innovation partner.

While all reasonable efforts will be made to answer queries, DASA reserves the right to impose management controls if volumes of queries restrict fair access of information to all potential innovators.

Registrations are closed

Delivering operational advantage via improved self-sufficiency