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 June 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 maximise market awareness of the opportunity.

The opportunity is being run via a restricted process under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011.

The opportunity is open to all organisations 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 organisations 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.

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 Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) stage, which will be released during May 2022, and second stage Invitation to Tender (ITT), scheduled for release in October 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 Framework will be divided into three Lots.

The scope of each Lot is as follows:

Lot 1 themes:

1 - Preventing, managing and reducing violence

2 - Strengthening and protecting inclusive politics and civic accountability mechanisms

3 - Stabilisation and state resilience

4 - Human security provision and security actor reform

5 - Access to formal, traditional and transitional justice

6 - Women, Peace and Security

7 - Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Climate Security

8 - SOC, Environmental Crime, Illicit Finance and Corruption

9 - Media Development and Outreach

Lot 2 themes:

10 - Counter Terrorism

11 - Counter Violence Extremism

12 - Strategic Communications

Lot 3 themes:

13 - Defence Training and Advice

14 - Provision of non-lethal equipment

15 - Defence services

The upper value limits of each Lot are:

Lot 1 - £1,650,000,000 (£1.65 billion)

Lot 2 - £600,000,000 (£600 million)

Lot 3 - £750,000,000 (£750 million)

Please note that the values stated above are the estimated maximum for each Lot.

Links to each Lot (copy and paste into browser) are as follows:

https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/go/898885520180FAA00B16 - Lot 1

https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/go/743032920180FAA07DC4 - Lot 2

https://fcdo.bravosolution.co.uk/go/418413560180FAA13C86 - Lot 3 Quantity or scope: The scope of each Lot is as follows:

Lot 1 themes:

1 - Preventing, managing and reducing violence

2 - Strengthening and protecting inclusive politics and civic accountability mechanisms

3 - Stabilisation and state resilience

4 - Human security provision and security actor reform

5 - Access to formal, traditional and transitional justice

6 - Women, Peace and Security

7 - Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Climate Security

8 - SOC, Environmental Crime, Illicit Finance and Corruption

9 - Media Development and Outreach

Lot 2 themes:

10 - Counter Terrorism

11 - Counter Violence Extremism

12 - Strategic Communications

Lot 3 themes:

13 - Defence Training and Advice

14 - Provision of non-lethal equipment

15 - Defence services

The regions each Lot will be delivered in are:

(a) Africa

(b) Europe and Central Asia

(c) Western Balkans

(d) Middle East and North Africa

(e) South America

(f) South Asia

(g) South East Asia

(h) UK Overseas Territories

For each Lot applied for, organisations must have relevant functional and thematic capability in at least one theme and region.