Radio Spectrum and Technical Standards Professional Services Contract

The Radio Spectrum and Technical Standards Unit (RSTSU) within MCA has responsibility for, and is a major contributor to, national and international policy and standards development for maritime radio and navigational equipment, this is inclusive of policy and standards work relating to navigation equipment derived from Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) Chapters IV and V; and maritime radio communications equipment under the Radio Equipment Regulations (RER). Applicants will potentially be required to contribute and participate in national and international meetings.

There are approximately 18 groups developing these radio spectrum, performance and technical requirements, principally the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and European Telecommunications Standard Institute (ETSI). Applying the standards set by these groups forms an essential part of the equipment type approval process under the mandatory Marine Equipment Regulations (MER) and conformity for RER.

There is an ongoing need to develop and maintain these standards so that safety is preserved or improved and to ensure that decisions, including those about radio spectrum use, are informed by the needs of UK marine industry. To pursue government policy and represent the interests of UK stakeholders the MCA needs to contribute to and influence the work of these bodies.

The objectives of this contract are:

- To provide ad hoc expertise on a call off basis in support of the MCA's UK Technical Services Navigation Branch's Radio Spectrum & Technical Standards Unit;

- Support the UK Policy line at meetings, as required by RSTSU;

- Maintenance and improvement of the reputation of the UK Flag