RAF CAM Relocation Project – Social Value

Object of the Request for Information: To gather industry views on the scope to deliver Social Value within the possible future RAF CAM Relocation acquisition project. Short description of requirement: Due to the closure of Royal Air Force (RAF) Henlow, The Royal Air Force Centre of Aviation Medicine (RAF CAM) must relocate to RAF Cranwell. As part of this relocation, there is a large amount of high and low specification equipment used for Aviation Medicine (AVMED) testing and training of Air Crew. In addition to the equipment requirement, there is a requirement to build new infrastructure to house the RAF CAM team and equipment. This work is being delivered through the Flight Simulators and Synthetic Trainers Team within Defence Equipment & Support. Under the Public Services (Social Value) Act (2013), industry is mandated to deliver additional social, economic, and/or environmental benefits to their area or stakeholders and moving forward will be mandated to do so for every new procurement within Defence. As part of delivering Social Value within the RAF CAM Relocation activity, the Authority has recognised that early market engagement is essential to investigate ways in which industry have captured this previously. By exploring lessons learned by industry and gaining this knowledge, the Authority can move forward with this mandated Social Value initiative. One to one discussion with the Authority will also be key to sharing this knowledge, having open dialogue on how best to encompass Social Value aspects within future contracts. The Authority is requesting information on the following topics: The sharing of previous experience and information in delivering against the Social Value themes is required to better understand how Social Value can be applied to the RAF CAM Relocation Project. The Authority is seeking information from industry regarding previous examples on how industry have encapsulated Social Value approaches when delivering a new building and/or new equipment. Furthermore, the Authority is interested to know which of the five outlined Social Value themes that industry would apply to this Project. Information Requested: Please note that this is a Request for Information (RfI) only. This request is not a commitment by the Authority to launch a formal procurement process and the requirement, described herein, is subject to change. The objective of this RfI is to explore alternative solutions to the current capabilities. Information shared at RfI stage may be shared at the Invitation to Tender (ITT) or the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) stage of the procurement, if an ITT or ITN is pursued by the Authority. Information may be shared in relation to how the Requirement was prepared and developed. However, information resulting from any RfI marked 'Commercially Sensitive' by the respondent, will not be shared outside of the Authority. The Authority shall reserve the right to reject submissions marked as 'Commercially Sensitive'. Current Capability RAF CAM currently deliver AVMED equipment testing and training to RAF personnel, utilising a wide range of training facilities and equipment that includes but is not limited to; Spatial Disorientation Trainers, Hypobaric Chambers, Multi/Single-Point Pressure Breathing Rigs, and Scenario Based Hypoxia Training. All the current capabilities are to be relocated with scope to buy new equipment, seeking innovation where possible.
Information Requested The Authority is requesting information from industry on how they have delivered Social Value on any previous projects that could be linked to the five themes identified in the Public Services (Social Value) Act (and associated guidance), along with innovative solutions that have been delivered to successfully capture this. Based on the information above, there are key questions the Authority would like information and feedback on:

1. Have you heard of or are you familiar with the Social Value Act and the accompanying Social Value Model?
2. What key projects have you delivered that included Social Value responses relevant to the Public Services (Social Value) Act? 2.a. If so, what innovation across any of the five Social Value themes did you deliver? Please draw from your experiences of this when responding to Q3-6. 2.b. If not, do you have any ideas on how you would deliver a project in an innovative way that could be linked to the Social Value themes? Please respond to Q3-6 on how you would deliver in the future if you have no previous experience in delivering Social Value.
3. How did you ensure that delivering a Social Value aspect didn’t affect the project timeline in an adverse manner?
4. How were the themes/innovation realised and what engagement with other stakeholders was needed to deliver them?
5. How did you measure your Social Value output to clearly evidence that the mandate had been met?
6. Would you be open to a virtual one to one discussion in future to discuss the application of Social Value and share your knowledge of it along with any additional ideas you may have, but not implemented yet? Further information on the Public Services (Social Value) Act and the Social Value Model can be found at www.gov.uk. Any clarifications or responses should be sent via email to: jon.wade113@mod.gov.uk Responses should be limited to 4 pages of A4 in pt11 Arial font, and be sent by 1700hrs on 20.07.2021.