Nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological protection equipment

Tender description

Defence has a possible future requirement for a new chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear individual protective equipment dermal protection capability to replace the existing in-service equipment. The anticipated procurement strategy and subsequent contract will follow a lots based approach. The anticipated requirement is for: lot 1 — suits, lot 2 — gloves and lot 3 — boots and therefore could result in 3 separate contracts being awarded. It is not anticipated that the lots approach will rule out the possibility that a single company could be contracted to provide two or more lots of the system. It is anticipated that the advertised contracts shall form enabling arrangements for a period of 5 years plus 1 year options to cover a maximum duration of 8 years. There are likely to be defined initial purchases followed by re-supply on a demand basis. There is also likely to be a requirement for training support and integrated logistic support. It is anticipated that a Contract Notice will be published within the Official Journal of the European Union and Defence Contracts Online in March 2017. The Contract Notice will be accompanied by a Dynamic Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Those companies that are successful at the PQQ stage will be issued an Invitation to Negotiate, currently planned for late 2017, with contract award targeted for 2019. Please note that these dates are indicative and subject to change. For the purpose of market research and early industry engagement, the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Delivery Team wishes to extend an opportunity to potential suppliers to attend a Project SONORIC Industry Day at Winterbourne Gunner on 1.3.2017. This will be a half day event. Should you wish to take up this opportunity, a request should be sent via email to the contact detailed within this Prior Information Notice by 17:00 on 22.2.2017. Further details of timings for the day and the venue will then be provided. It is anticipated that there will be defined initial suit purchases followed by re-supply on a demand basis. There is also likely to be a requirement for training support and integrated logistic support. The anticipated requirements for the suit solution are as follows: a) must be an over suit design; b) must comprise of two pieces (i.e. jacket and trousers) with no detachable components e.g. hood; c) must have full length sleeves; d) must have full length trouser legs; e) must be compatible with in-service defence body armour and load carriage solutions; f) must interface with the defence General Service Respirator and other defence respirators whilst maintaining the required level of protection; g) must provide protection against CBRN threats and hazards; h) must provide dermal protection over the whole of the body including head and neck and excluding the areas protected by the respirator, gloves and boots; i) must have the ability to be decontaminated using existing procedures and equipment; j) must be able to operate for specified periods of use in a specified CBRN contaminated environment; k) must minimise physiological (thermal and movement) and psychological burden; l) must allow the user to operate for prolonged periods of time; m) must allow the user to operate effectively in a variety of climatic conditions; n) must allow the user to operate in a variety of Land, Air and Maritime operational scenarios; o) must be compatible with a variety of defence in-service capabilities; p) must have a training solution; q) must minimise logistic burden and integrate with the current defence logistic supply chain; r) must have a high degree of availability throughout the lifetime of the capability; s) must have the ability to be stored, deployed, operated and sustained safely, so far as reasonably practicable; t) must allow for the safe disposal of waste products and uncontaminated items. There is also likely to be a requirement for the suits to be made to defence specific print and colour patterns. The expected integrated logistic support to be provided by the supplier is likely to cover areas including, but not limited to, the provision of technical documentation (such as user manuals); NATO codification; managing obsolescence and training support. It is anticipated that there will be defined initial glove purchases followed by re-supply on a demand basis. There is also likely to be a requirement for training support and integrated logistic support. The anticipated requirements for the glove solution are as follows: a) must be compatible with touch screen devices and other hand operated equipment; b) must be compatible with a full length sleeve jacket; c) must not hinder the use of hand held weapons; d) must maintain a usable level of dexterity; e) must provide protection against CBRN threats and hazards; f) must have the ability to be decontaminated using existing procedures and equipment; g) must be able to operate for specified periods of use in a specified CBRN contaminated environment; h) must minimise physiological (thermal and movement) and psychological burden; i) must allow the user to operate for prolonged periods of time; j) must allow the user to operate effectively in a variety of climatic conditions; k) must allow the user to operate in a variety of Land, Air and Maritime operational scenarios; l) must be compatible with a variety of in-service capabilities; m) must have a training solution; n) must minimise logistic burden and integrate with the current defence logistic supply chain; o) must have a high degree of availability throughout the lifetime of the capability; p) must have the ability to be stored, deployed, operated and sustained safely, so far as reasonably practicable; q) must allow for the safe disposal of waste products and uncontaminated items. The expected integrated logistic support to be provided by the supplier will cover areas including, but not limited to, the provision of technical documentation (such as user manuals); NATO codification; managing obsolescence and training support. It is anticipated that there will be defined initial boot purchases followed by re-supply on a demand basis. There is also likely to be a requirement for training support and integrated logistic support. The anticipated requirements for the boot solution are as follows: a) must be worn over the in-service combat boots; b) must provide protection against CBRN threats and hazards; d) must have the ability to be decontaminated using existing procedures and equipment; e) must be able to operate for specified periods of use in a specified CBRN contaminated environment; f) must minimise physiological (thermal and movement) and psychological burden; g) must allow the user to operate for prolonged periods of time; h) must allow the user to operate effectively in a variety of climatic conditions; i) must allow the user to operate in a variety of Land, Air and Maritime operational scenarios; j) must be compatible with a variety of in-service capabilities; k) must have a training solution; l) must minimise logistic burden and integrate with the current defence logistic supply chain; m) must have a high degree of availability throughout the lifetime of the capability; n) must have the ability to be stored, deployed, operated and sustained safely, so far as reasonably practicable; o) must allow for the safe disposal of waste products and uncontaminated items. The expected integrated logistic support to be provided by the supplier is likely to cover areas including, but not limited to, the provision of technical documentation (such as user manuals); NATO codification; managing obsolescence and training support.