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Guidance: R-Cloud: marketplace for defence science and technology research

Defence Science Technology Laboratory

December 1
16:41 2022

R-Cloud is not currently available: December 2022

R-Cloud is currently not available to suppliers while we carry out maintenance work. This will take between 3 and 4 weeks, starting from 29 November 2022.

If youre a new supplier and want to register, please come back and register when the portal is back up.

If youre currently working on an active R-Cloud task, you can keep in contact with us outside the portal, by email. The Dstl commercial team will let you know the temporary processes to follow to allow the task to continue and contracts to be awarded, if applicable.

Join R-Cloud to gain access to security and defence contracting opportunities across all the MODs science and technology research areas (capabilities).

We welcome applications from:

  • all types of supplier: non-traditional defence supplier, micro business, small to medium-sized enterprise (SME), academic institution or large organisation
  • UK and international research suppliers

How it works

R-Cloud is different from traditional procurement frameworks, enabling suppliers to:

  • apply quickly and easily using the online application process
  • join at any time during the R-Cloud term, because its a dynamic agreement
  • receive targeted invitations to bid for opportunities tailored to your key capabilities and skills
  • access opportunities to contract directly with MOD
  • retain intellectual property rights
  • efficiently take up opportunities using R-Clouds smooth online tasking process that includes standardised terms and conditions and tasking forms

Everything is managed using the online R-Cloud service at https://rcloud.dstl.gov.uk/ - from applying to join, to responding to relevant opportunities.

Joining R-Cloud

To join R-Cloud youll need to:

  • create an account at https://rcloud.dstl.gov.uk/
  • choose the research areas relevant to your capabilities and skills
  • complete the main application including company details
  • provide a technical statement to explain your organisations experience and capabilities
  • submit the completed application

We will then assess your application and youll be notified of the outcome through the online service.

How contracts are placed

The R-Cloud tasking process is managed through https://rcloud.dstl.gov.uk/ and its fully online - no hard copy paperwork is issued.

We publish task details on the R-Cloud online service using the R-Cloud tasking form, which contains all the information youll need to respond to an opportunity.

You will only see opportunities that are relevant to your organisation, because:

  • when suppliers join R-Cloud, you select which research areas are of interest to your organisation
  • when MOD adds new opportunities or tasks to R-Cloud, we select the relevant research areas
  • R-Cloud matches your areas of interest with our opportunities to create a shortlist of suppliers who will be invited to respond

About R-Cloud

R-Cloud is run by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) on behalf of the MOD, and its just one of a number of ways to sell to or work with us.

Suppliers can apply to become R-Cloud members for any or all of the key capability areas at any time. You will need to meet the required technical and commercial requirements, and accept the R-Cloud standard terms and conditions.

All contracting opportunities placed using R-Cloud will be fundamental and applied research tasks covering Technical Readiness Levels (TRLs) 1 to 6.

Intellectual property rights reside solely with the supplier, with Dstl and the Ministry of Defence having full user rights.

Since 2018 almost 1,000 contracts valued in excess of 164 million have been awarded via R-Cloud and usage and spend are increasing. Our suppliers are from across industry and academia, both UK and internationally based, and more than 70% of R-Cloud suppliers are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Contact us

Dstl R-Cloud

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Porton Down
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP4 0JQ

Published 2 July 2015
Last updated 1 December 2022 +show all updates
  1. R-Cloud is currently not available to suppliers while we carry out maintenance work. This will take between 3 and 4 weeks, starting from 29 November 2022.

  2. Fully updated R-Cloud information with details of benefits and processes.

  3. Updated URL from https://rcloud-v4.dstl.gov.uk to https://rcloud.dstl.gov.uk/

  4. Added link to R-Cloud portal (beta).

  5. First published.

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