IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Tender description

A Framework is required for the supply of Incident Ground Technology (and related services). For more information about the Framework Agreement follow the link www.nhssourcing.co.uk and search for ITT opportunities The National Ambulance Resilience Unit (‘NARU’) is hosted by West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (‘WMAS’). NARU, operating under a contract with NHS England, is responsible for maintaining the Hazardous Area Response Team (‘HART’) vehicle fleet and the national interoperability of HART capabilities. The Department of Health began to implement the HART program in Ambulance Trusts in 2008 and now there are 15 HART teams in place across 10 English Ambulance Trusts. At present the IT capability for HART centres upon a single command vehicle. This Procurement Process seeks to move away from that system based upon user feedback and experience from operational deployments. The core elements of internet access for command applications and access to Trust systems remains along with the ability to broadcast live, and record, video footage from body worn cameras. As the command vehicle is being removed there is a further requirement for video feeds from a static camera at a casualty collection point as well as reconnaissance video from an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, to increase the capability both to monitor patients and improve the safety of teams prior to deployment into a risk area. The final key point is that the program is looking to broaden the IT capability across the entire fleet with each vehicle having the ability to access the internet, possibly by 3G/4G but bidders are welcome to provide their own proprietary solutions (within the scope of the Specification), and broadcast a local Wi-Fi network so that the staff members can access command applications and Trust systems. There will be a requirement that the secondary response vehicles have an external weatherproof connector so that a portable satellite unit can become the primary bearer should either a Framework Provider's proprietary solution or the 3G/4G network become unavailable.