With four months to go until Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) 2016, MOD DCB features writer Gemma Gaughan provides an insight into what visitors should expect at the return of the premier event in the UK defence procurement calendar.
Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE) is a highly valued, much respected and well attended annual event that provides an opportunity and a unique platform for the defence procurement marketplace to interact within important areas such as innovation, technology, exports, procurement skills, business growth and buyer and supplier engagement.
Delivered by BiP Solutions, publishers of MOD Defence Contracts Bulletin, in partnership with some of the biggest names in defence procurement including Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and UK Trade & Investment’s Defence & Security Organisation (UKTI DSO), the fourth edition of the premier event in the UK defence procurement calendar will take place at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena on 16 March 2016.
As well as the aforementioned partners, DPRTE 2016 will also be supported by other key defence sector organisations and trade bodies such as ADS, NDI, Cranfield University, techUK and SBRI Innovate UK as well as sponsors Harris, Jactron and QinetiQ’s Commerce Decisions.
Addressing the knowledge and networking needs of buyers and suppliers alike, the event will showcase innovation in the wider defence sector, from cutting-edge security solutions to armoured vehicles and medical products. DPRTE promotes interaction and education, with training sessions, skills presentations and conference speeches from key influencers and decision makers driving buyer excellence, supply chain innovation and best practice in defence procurement. Delegates will have the chance to explore the event’s dedicated and ever-popular exhibition floor as well as benefiting from the Live Keynote Arena, Knowledge Transfer Zones, and Network and Support Zones.
As in previous years, DPRTE 2016 will feature a Product Showcase Exhibition which will provide visitors with a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with a range of the UK’s leading suppliers, who will be exhibiting their latest innovative products and services – solutions designed specifically to meet current defence and security procurement requirements.
The Keynote Arena is always a very popular area that brings together policy makers and thought leaders to discuss and debate the current and future buying requirements of the UK defence industry. Discussions on the latest policy and legal updates impacting the roles of those who purchase or commission within the sector will also take place. Confirmed speakers include Minister of State for Defence Procurement Philip Dunne MP and Chief Digital and Information Officer at MOD ISS, Mike Stone. The Keynote Arena is considered by many previous attendees as a ‘must’ for those visiting DPRTE.
Divided into four separate areas, the Research & Technology, Export & Business Growth, Procurement & Supply Chain, and Buyer Excellence Knowledge Transfer Zones are tailored to address specific issues within the defence market both at home and overseas. The Knowledge Transfer Zones will offer a range of presentations and training sessions throughout the day addressing subjects including supporting innovation in the defence sector, procurement and the supply chain, and specialist export advice and practical assistance. The Buyer Excellence Zone will provide essential support to those affected by the recent UK Public Contracts Regulations 2015 with changes to the procedures, the OJEU proformas, advertising, timescales, selection and award criteria, and terms and conditions all being discussed in depth. This zone features a number of buyer-focused sessions designed to enhance skills within areas of specific concern to MOD buyers.
DPRTE’s Network and Support Zones in previous years have comprised a dedicated DE&S Procurement Pavilion and Buyer Engagement Village, offering delegates an opportunity to directly engage with both buyers and suppliers, network with colleagues and establish new contacts and connections. However, for 2016, in addition to the DE&S Procurement Pavilion there will be a separate MOD Buyer Engagement Village and Prime Contractor Buyer Engagement Village. Appointments to attend the Buyer Engagement Villages at DPRTE 2016, supported by PASS Procurement, are limited – delegates are advised to arrive early to guarantee an appointment on entrance to the area.
New for DPRTE 2016 and complementing the activities of the Network and Support Zones is the Innovation Hub, which will provide visitors with the opportunity to meet with key organisations such as SBRI and the UK Defence Solutions Centre who can advise on bringing new products or services to market within a science and technology programme, a task which many companies find challenging.
With the Ministry of Defence spending upwards of £19 billion a year on equipment and services to support the Armed Forces and the Government’s continuing aspiration that 25 per cent of central government procurement expenditure should be with UK SMEs, DPRTE 2016 presents an unmissable opportunity for organisations of all sizes throughout the supply chain looking to expand their capabilities and grow their business in the lucrative and essential defence marketplace.
DPRTE 2016 promises to be an exciting and engaging event for all stakeholders in the ever-evolving, dynamic multibillion-pound defence and security industry.
For further information, visit: www.dprte.co.uk