Analysis for science and technology research in defence (ASTRID) framework
Updated 19 March 2024
© Crown copyright 2024
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dstl-science-and-technology-procurement-frameworks/analysis-for-science-and-technology-research-in-defence-astrid-framework
The Analysis for Science and Technology Research in Defence (ASTRID) framework enables the UK government to quickly and efficiently place contracts for scientific and technical research and development.
It covers analysis that supports the defence, security, safety and resilience of the UK, including its citizens, society and critical infrastructure.
Key features of the ASTRID framework
The current ASTRID framework is available until March 2027, with a maximum ceiling of £350 million.
ASTRID uses a range of sourcing channels from targeted selection of a supplier, to creation of multidisciplinary teams, or putting out an innovation call to explore ideas and potential solutions.
Technical experts help shape customer requirements, provide coherence and assure the technical quality of outputs.
Suppliers: how to work with us through the ASTRID framework
If you are a supplier interested in carrying out work for the UK government through the ASTRID framework, please contact the prime (main contractor) BAE Systems directly at astrid@baesystems.com
You may also want to look for ASTRID opportunities on the Defence Sourcing Portal.
Guidance on how to sell to or work with Dstl.
Customers: using the ASTRID framework to deliver your S&T requirements
ASTRID can be used by any UK government department including MOD frontline commands.
ASTRID can be used to support:
- Senior and operational decision makers
- Capability planning and decisions relating to delivery options
- Analysis of organisational structures, systems and processes
- Development, operation, modification and maintenance of models, methods and tools used for analysis
- Collection and collation of data to support analysis
- Horizon scanning, technology watch, and assessment of emerging science and technology
Skills and techniques on offer include:
- The design and management of analysis
- Structured decision support and facilitation
- Cost analysis and forecasting
- Simulation, optimisation and mathematical modelling
- Experimentation and analysis support to trials and exercises
- Wargaming
- Interpretative analysis
- Data science and analytics
- Visualisation of data
- Systems thinking
- Geo-spatial analysis
- Statistical methods
Costs will include effort required for technical work, support from the programme management office to support the shaping of your requirement, identifying the team to carry out the work, and management and technical oversight.
Framework management
The prime (main contractor) is BAE Systems Corda. Contact BAE by emailing astrid@baesystems.com and get more information about Astrid on the BAE website.
Dstl, as MOD category manager for science and technology (S&T), manages the ASTRID Framework Agreement. The Dstl Framework Commercial Team can be contacted at DstlAstrid@dstl.gov.uk