Liquid nitrogen

Tender description

Public Health England (PHE) are planning to award a contract for the secondary supplier of liquid nitrogen to Porton Down site to Air Products PLC. Following a tender process a primary supplier of these products was appointed. However, in order to ensure the mandated business continuity in provision of liquid nitrogen, which is crucial for the operation of the site, a second suppler of product is required. There is an existing liquid nitrogen storage tank on site which was installed by Air Products PLC and cannot be replaced for economic, technical and health and safety reasons. Public Health England currently uses Air Products PLC as its secondary liquid nitrogen supplier at Porton Down. This is in line with the business continuity policy for liquid nitrogen. The access to the tank is greatly restricted and therefore it would not be economical for PHE to look to contract with another supplier for this requirement. Due to this PHE feels that the only option is to award a contract directly to Air Products PLC for secondary supply of liquid nitrogen at Porton Down.