Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Framework Agreement (2023-2027)

The Conflict Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) will be procuring its next generation framework agreement in early 2022. The CSSF is a cross-government fund, with an annual budget in the region of 500 000 000 GBP, which delivers and supports activity including but not limited to security, defence, peacekeeping, peace-building and stabilisation activity, using both Official Development Assistance (ODA) and non-ODA funding. Further information on the CSSF's work and its impact is available in our Annual Report (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1040994/conflict-stability-and-security-fund-annual-report-2020-2021.pdf) The new framework will be in place by January 2023 and will include suppliers who are able to meet the requirements of a wide variety of CSSF Programmes in support of National Security priorities and objectives. This notice is being published to advertise a forthcoming market engagement exercise. The market engagement event (or a series of engagement events) will be held during January 2022. The market engagement exercise is open to all persons who are interested (or may be interested) in being part of the replacement CSSF framework, and their supply chains. This includes existing market operators, potential new entrants and persons who may be interested in participating jointly through membership of a joint venture or consortium.
The framework will be re-procured via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's e-procurement portal: https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk. Suppliers, not currently registered on the portal, who are interested in being considered for the CSSF Framework Agreement must self-register on the site in order to participate — registration is free and instantaneous. Current framework suppliers will not need to re-register, but will need to complete the full suite of tender documents once issued to be considered for the new procurement framework. The CSSF Commercial Team want to ensure that all suppliers have an equal and fair opportunity to join the Framework. Suppliers will be required to pass the Selection Questionnaire (SQ), which will be released during March 2022, and second stage Invitation to Tender (ITT), scheduled for release in June 2022. The burden of proof remains upon suppliers to provide sufficient supporting evidence to the UK government, that it has the right capability and capacity to meet the CSSF's needs. The CSSF Commercial Team will work closely with CSSF Programme Managers at British Embassies/British High Commissions/British Consulates as well as in Cross-Whitehall Departments to ensure that colleagues across the CSSF are confident that it is both easy to use and robust. The contracting authority will consider the feedback received to help inform its options and further decision making. For the avoidance of doubt, this phase of the project is not part of a formal procurement process and the contracting authority is not committing, at this stage, to carrying out such a process. Participation or non-participation in this market engagement exercise shall not prevent any supplier participating in a potential future procurement, nor is it intended that any information supplied as part of this exercise shall place any supplier at an advantage in a potential procurement process. The anticipated timeframe for the re-procurement process is:

• Jan 2022 — Market Engagement Supplier Event;
• Mar 2022 — Issue of Selection Questionnaire (SQ);
• May 2022 — Confirmation to suppliers of SQ application outcome;
• Jun 2022 — Issue of Invitation to Tender (ITT);
• Jul 2022 — Deadline for submission of tenders (ITT);
• Nov 2022 — Completion of Tender Evaluation and Approvals process;
• Nov 2022 — Issue of confirmation of Framework Award;
• Nov/Dec 2022 – Framework agreements issued and signed;
• Jan 2023 – New CSSF framework goes live; Suppliers wishing to attend the forthcoming market engagement events should register their interest by completing the registration form (https://bit.ly/3F0tdD7). Please note that the value range stated below is an estimate at this stage and will be finalised following further analysis and confirmed within the Contract Notice. Additional information: The Authority is considering the use of lots within the Framework Agreement, and intends to consult with the market during engagement events to establish whether or not to proceed on this basis, and if so, how to structure lots. There are fifteen thematics which are likely form part of the future framework, they are: (1) Understanding and Strengthening inclusive politics, political processes and accountability (2) Public Sector Reform & Public Financial Management (3) Security sector reform & Security Sector capacity building (4) Justice sector reform and Rule of Law (5) Counter Violence Extremism/Counter Terrorism (6) Peace-building, stabilisation and conflict sensitivity (7) State - Civil society engagement (8) Inclusive Conflict prevention and Peace-building (9) Strategic Communication and Outreach (10) Defence Training and Advice (11) Provision of non-lethal equipment (12) Defence services (13) Climate (14) Interstate Threats (15) Cyber Defence/Security