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The SERAPIS Framework Agreement has been created to enable Dstl to influence and gain access to the most diverse expertise and talent available across the industrial supplier base, particularly in relation to:

  • Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) companies*
  • Non-Traditional Defence Suppliers (NTDS)
  • Academia

The aim is to develop new and battle winning capabilities within C4ISR, Space Systems, Synthetic Environment and Simulation technologies, and to see them brought through to operational use in a timely and efficient manner.

The Framework Agreement is split into 6 capability areas or ‘lots’:

Serapis Framework Diagram

What is SERAPIS?

The SERAPIS Framework Agreement has been designed to accommodate and build upon the success of previous framework agreements while increasing commercial agility, diversity, transparency and collaboration.

It aims to reach non-traditional defence suppliers, small and medium-sized enterprises and academia, as well as traditional defence suppliers, in order to develop new capabilities for the UK’s defence and security.

With the core objective being to develop new battle winning capabilities within C4ISR, Space Systems, Synthetic Environment and Simulation technologies, and to see them brought through to operational use in a timely and efficient manner.

Capability Areas

The Framework Agreement is split into 6 capability areas or ‘Lots’ managed by Prime Contractors as detailed below:

  • Lot 1 Covers the development and integration of new and emerging ISTAR ‘Collect’ technology and techniques into the wider defence and cross-government ISTAR enterprise. Includes a broad range of conventional and novel sensing technology (incl. gravity and biometric sensing) but also Open Source (OSINT) and HUMINT data and information collection capabilities.
    Lead: Roke Manor - roke-serapis-lot1@roke.co.uk
  • Lot 2 Covers all aspects of Defence & Security (D&S) space systems from underpinning enabling services such as space-specific analysis; fundamental and applied space research for areas such as the space environment; design and manufacture of space equipment and subsystems; space launch & range; through-life operation of satellites (including ground station), or terrestrial-based space systems like those used for the surveillance of space; through to the application of space systems for defence and security exploitation/benefit.
    Lead: BAE Systems Applied Intelligence - SERAPIS@baesystems.com
  • Lot 3 Covers the development, testing, and evaluation of novel command and control (C2) systems to improve decision making, including the human and autonomous (machine) system elements. Includes the development of novel agile, adaptive and resilient C2 concepts for operation in constrained, degraded, or denied environments.
    Lead: QinetiQ - serapislot3@qinetiq.com
  • Lot 4 Covers the development of C4ISR Communications and Networks. Will exploit and drive emerging concepts and technology in military and civilian communications infrastructure and include the development of policy, technology and architectural options for the provision of assured information, Information Management and Exploitation (IM/IX).
    Lead: QinetiQ - serapislot4@qinetiq.com
  • Lot 5 Covers the development of Synthetic Environments, Modelling and Simulation, associated tools and assessment processes to allow defence to train, exercise and prepare for operations, and to test, evaluate and assess the performance of military capabilities and the C4ISR enterprise, as well as to enhance and sustain capability to exploit of SSEs across all Defence applications.
    Lead: NSC - SERAPIS_SSE@nsc.co.uk
  • Lot 6 Covers the development of Data Analytics and Information Processing tools and techniques in support of Defence’s Decision Making processes and techniques (covered in Lot 3). Includes the development and application of Autonomy, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, information and visualisation and Man-Machine Interface development.
    Lead: Frazer-Nash - serapis@fnc.co.uk
    Dstl SERAPIS Framework Agreement Team, Dstl - DSTLSERAPIS@dstl.gov.uk

* Ministry of Defence SME Action Plan (2019-2022) targets to increase in spend with SMEs to 25% by 2022.

Building upon 13 years’ experience of priming research frameworks for both MOD and Other Government Departments (OGD), QinetiQ intends to develop an open, collaborative, innovative and inclusive Science and Technology (S&T) Community to support SERAPIS Lots 3 and 4. The supplier ecosystem will be made up of a wide range of organisations from large Defence Primes through to Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), academia and non-traditional defence suppliers. QinetiQ is the Prime for Lot 3 (Decide) and Lot 4 (Assured Information Infrastructure). The capability areas covered by these Lots are as follows:

Lot 3
Decide
Lot 4
Assured Information Infrastructure
  • Cognition and organisational science
  • Complexity, chaos and uncertainty
  • Organisational learning
  • Human and machine systems
  • Decision making
  • Learning, training, motivation, workload and stress
  • Artificial intelligence, big data visualisation and technology solutions
  • Communication and network technologies (CNT)
  • Information management and information exploitation (IM/IX)
  • Information assurance (IA)
  • Optimal path networking
  • Information management systems
  • Information exploitation systems
  • Command & control optimisation

If you would like to find out about joining ‘Team Serapis’ as a supplier to Lots 3 and/or 4 then please visit our Apply to join page.

Principles

The following information is provided for organisations looking to participate in Lot 3 “Decide” and Lot 4 “Assured Information Infrastructure”. QinetiQ will operate a single supply chain “Team Serapis” in respect of Lots 3 & 4, and all successful applicants will receive tasking information for both Lots.

By applying to become a member of “Team Serapis” you agree that the information provided to QinetiQ can be used for the purposes of managing and delivering work under the Serapis Framework.

QinetiQ will manage Lots 3 and 4 using the following principles.

Serapis how to join

and underpinned by the following behaviours:

  • open to all relevant suppliers
  • inclusive
  • encourages teaming and team working
  • responsive
  • informed
  • builds mutual trust
  • encouraging of innovation
  • embracing best practice
  • respectful of IPR

Autonomous Resilient Cyber Defence (ARCD) is being supplied by suppliers on Lots 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Serapis framework. Find out more about ARCD here.

We are actively seeking suppliers with the following research capabilities:

  • Lot 3: any capability aligned with the capability matrix for Lot 3 is of interest, particularly, Command and Control and decision making research practitioners.
  • Lot 4:
    Data Centric Security
    Tactical Data Links
    Spectrum Management (Civilian and Defence)
    Modifying Radio Architectures
    Virtualisation of Hardware
    Network Monitoring and Management
    Millimetre Wave Radio Applications
    Information Management/Assurance/Exploitation – Single Information Environment
    Digital Twins
    Antenna Design
    Free Space Optical Communications
    Agile Radio Systems
    Novel and Advanced Waveforms

Instructions to Applicants

Applications to join “Team Serapis” must be made directly to serapis@qinetiq.com. Applications not made to this email address will not be reviewed.

All applications must be made accompanied by the following completed forms (which can be accessed from the ‘Supporting Documents’ section at the top of this page):

  • Supplier Application Form
  • Capability Matrix
  • Signed Non-Disclosure Agreement
  • Security Questionnaire (Infosec)

QinetiQ, with its Steering Group, will review all applications on a regular basis and will respond to applicants with its decision to accept or reject the application. Applications will be reviewed at a minimum on a quarterly basis.

It is important to note that applications made to QinetiQ will only be for Lots 3 and 4. Applications to work on other Serapis Lots must be made directly to the Prime Contractor responsible for the Lot you wish to join. Contacts for the other Lots can be found here.

A frequently asked questions (FAQ) list is provided for additional information for the applicant.

Successful Applications

Once your application has been accepted, each organisation will then need to sign two agreements:

  • Collaboration Agreement
    The Collaboration Agreement is a common document that all applicants must sign to become members and gain access to Team Serapis.

    Unfortunately we are unable to negotiate this agreement as it is important that all members join Team Serapis on the same basis and on common terms.

  • Enabling Sub-Contract (ESC)
    The ESC is the contractual mechanism which QinetiQ will use to contract all work under Lots 3 and 4 of the Serapis Framework. It comes in three parts:

    • 1a. Terms and Conditions applicable to how QinetiQ will contract tasks for Serapis;
    • 2b. The Sub-Contract Tasking Order Form (STOF) which will be used to tender and contract for Serapis Lot 3 and 4 tasks and to identify any specific conditions applicable to the task;
    • 3c. Terms and Conditions specific to the Serapis Framework which are applicable to all tasks contracted under the Framework.

This approach is a common industry model for the management of contracting for work under Research Frameworks.

Supplier Assurance

In addition to the specific supplier application to join “Team Serapis”, before QinetiQ is able to contract tasks, each supplier must be an approved supplier on QinetiQ’s supplier database. Like many companies, due to the increasing requirements from regulatory bodies and to assure that work is conducted in safe and secure environments within our supply chain e.g. Defence Cyber Protection Partnership, Modern Slavery Act 2015, etc. QinetiQ operate a risk based approach to supplier assurance. For Serapis, QinetiQ will:

  • Continuously monitor the “Team Serapis” supply chain using the JOSCAR tool – approved by ADS, the trade organisation representing the aerospace, defence, and security industries in the United Kingdom. Suppliers must complete JOSCAR Stage 2 before tasks will be contracted.
  • Request completion of a vendor registration form which will be used to set organisations up to receive Purchase Orders from QinetiQ. This information will include bank details and organisational details. Should you be an existing supplier to QinetiQ then this information may not be requested.