Urgent Operational Requirements

Who should read this page?

This page is primarily provided for Commercial Officers, but is also relevant to all those involved in Urgent Operational Requirements (UOR) acquisitions across MOD.

What does this page provide?

This page briefly explains what a UOR is, shows you where you can find policy and guidance on the subject, identifies the main legal regulations impacting on UOR acquisitions (the Legal Framework) and outlines the general principles underpinning UOR acquisition.

It also explains what is mandated, identifies who you can go to for advice, sets out the relevant Commercial training and provides a list of further reading.

What are UORs?

Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs) arise from the identification of previously un-provisioned and emerging capability gaps as a result of current or imminent operations or where deliveries under existing contracts for equipment or services require accelerating due to an increased urgency to bring the capability they provided into service. These capability shortfalls are addressed by the urgent procurement of either new or additional equipment, enhancing existing capability, within a timescale that cannot be met by the normal acquisition cycle.

Where can I find policy and guidance on UORs?

Defence Instruction and Notice 2009DIN04-129 details MOD’s overall policy on the UOR process and how to write, finance, approve and procure a UOR for Operations.
The UOR Commercial Policy Statement [87KB PDF] details MOD’s Commercial Policy and Guidance on UORs.

What is the Legal Framework for UORs?

EC Public Procurement Regulations 2006 – for advertising requirements, exemptions and procurement procedures.

Competition Act 1998 – for the requirement to compete.

What is the general principle when dealing with UORs?

In general, except in the case of advertising where certain exemptions apply, the normal rules for handling contractual matters remain in force during the handling of UORs except that greater emphasis is placed on delivery timings in the value for money decision. There is no automatic exemption from the proper consideration of competition.

What is mandated when dealing with UORs?

That the UOR process defined in the DIN is followed. In particular, that the capability gap or shortfall is endorsed and that a UOR number has been issued by the Equipment Capability Secretariat (Sec(EC)).
That acquisition teams work in accordance with the policy and guidance set out in the UOR Commercial Policy Statement [87KB PDF].

Who do I go to for advice?

Contact	Phone / Email	Area
DGDC Commercial Systems	DGDCCS-2D-ASST-HD@mod.uk	For advice on this page and the UOR Commercial Policy Statement.
The relevant Head of Commercial		For business specific application.
Central Legal Services – Head of Commercial Law	CLS-CHHdDivDD@mod.uk	For legal advice on the application of the Procurement Regulations, and specific terms and conditions.
Director Equipment Programme	CapEP-CS6@mod.uk	For advice on the DIN and UOR process.
Attaché Defence Equipment (Commercial)	bdsus-de-adec@mod.uk	For advice on procurement from the USA.
Head of Defence Intellectual Property Rights (DIPR)	DCD-DIPR-D@mod.uk	For advice on IPR, including contract terms and conditions.

What training is available on UORs?

There is no specific commercial training on UORs. However, the need for changes to the Commercial Practitioner Workshop (1 and 2) and Commercial Awareness and Practitioners online training package is being investigated.

What further reading might help?

AOF – Commercial Toolkit:

Delivery and Acceptance – for Diversion Orders
EC Public Procurement Regulations
Advertising
Indemnity Against Risks – for War Risks
Procurement from the USA
Contractors on Deployed Operations
The Commercial Awareness Guide

Defence Intranet (internal users only):

JSP 462 - Financial Management Policy Manual

Change History

1 April 2010: CPS amended at paragraphs 19 and 23 to show that Article 296 of the EC Treaty is now referred to as Article 346 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
1 September 2009: Updated to include a link to the new Defence Instruction and Notice 2009DIN04-129.
1 August 2009: The topic guidance has been has been re-named Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs) and re-issued to reflect the new Commercial Policy Statement on UORs.
1 July 2009: Reference to CAS changed to read CAAS after their merger with Supplier Engagement Team
1 May 2009: Change of Sponsor title from DCD-DCS2-AD4
1 December 2008: Change of Sponsor from DDefCP-CR.
1 August 2008: Minor edits to support Departmental name changes.
1 March 2008: Removal of AMS Topic.
1 May 2007: Change of Sponsor from CSG-Risk.
1 December 2006: This Guidance Topic introduced for the first time.; New Guidance dealing with requirements which arise during operational emergencies and in the handling of Urgent Operational Requirements.