Test and Evaluation. Research and development services and related consultancy services. Research services. DES Tech EG requires technical support on Electrical/Electro-Chemical Power Sources and Systems (batteries and allied technologies). The support may be provided by a single contractor or by a prime with sub-contracted elements.

The support shall encompass:

— Technical Advice. Expertise with primary, secondary and reserve battery chemistries is required together with control electronics, fuel cells, super-capacitors and energy/power conversion devices.

— Product Test and Evaluation. Versatile, high volume test capabilities are required for the assessment of in-service items, emerging products and technologies. Product evaluation may be applied to specification validation, hazard assessment, UN Dangerous Goods Transport Tests and fault investigation. The facilities shall be able to evaluate single items or batches to a broad range of application based requirements (including abusive tests) performing numerous tasks simultaneously (historically >15 tasks simultaneously). The potential tenderer shall be able to evaluate the MOD portfolio of electro-chemical power sources and develop new techniques to address emergent issues. All test facilities are required to be located within in Mainland GB and ideally co-located (limitations imposed through the Dangerous Goods transportation regulations for prototype and abused or defective items).

Required test capabilities:

Everyday tests include:

Electrical discharge and charge capabilities (single and multiple stage regimes in various modes with automated cycling) performed on products ranging from single cells up to batteries of 50 Volts D.C. Current ranges from <10µA to >300A in conjunction with the ability to perform these tests over a range of temperatures from -60 to 200 Celsius (on samples up to 300 mm in all dimensions weighing up to 45 kg).

Less frequent tests include:

Simulated engine start;

Altitude simulation (<11,6 kPa ≈ 50 000 ft);

Humidity exposure;

Vibration and mechanical shock;

Water immersion (minimum depth of 1 metre);

High temperature (up to 400 C);

Fire test facilities (burning characteristics and susceptibility);

Bullet strike capabilities;

Rapid/explosive decompression;

Abusive charging and explosion containment;

Broad spectrum EMC testing (radiated and conducted emissions and susceptibility);

Data logging is required during individual tests together with the ability for video recording and thermal imaging;

Tech. Support. Specific areas technical support are required in relation to technical policy associated with:

Specification activities (civil and military both at National and International levels);

Battery rationalisation and harmonisation issues;

Airborne use of batteries on military aircraft;

Policy and regulation for transportation and disposal;

Information Management. Management of high volumes of diverse information and data from a range of sources for both current and legacy items (including electronic and hard copy) is required. The ability to generate retrieve, manage, collate, present and disseminate data to a variety of users with different expectations is vital in the support arrangement.

It is expected that the site and individuals providing these services will hold a minimum of SC level clearance.