BAS Fuel Bladders

Tender description

British Antarctic Survey are hosting a pre-market engagement supplier day on Monday 19.3.2018 from 14:00 GMT to 16:00 GMT at their Cambridge site: British Antarctic Survey. High Cross. Maddingley Road. Cambridge. CB3 0ET. The supplier day is in relation to a requirement for fuel bladders to be supplied to Antarctica. Please register interest in attending no later than 12:00 GMT on 14.3.2018. Please express your interest in attendance via email to scientificresearch@uksbs.co.uk stating the reference number RE18050 in the email subject. Please note that a webinar/video conference will also be utilised for any interested parties who cannot attend in person. Main Site or Place of Performance: Antarctica BAS operates tractor traverse to large science projects covering 3 000 to 4 000 miles of unprepared snow in the Antarctic. Typically, Tractor Traverse will transport 250 000 litres of fuel along with heavy equipment, supported by high molecular weight polyethylene sheets. Within the tractor traverse BAS operates with flexible, pillow style fuel bladders. This mode of operation represents a significant saving over transporting fuel via air. The BAS tractor traverse platform is capable of transporting a significant quantity of fuel in fuel bladders and science cargo, most of which is supported by high molecular weight polyethylene sheets. A significant benefit of this system is that this traverse system, including bladders, can transport heavy individual components that cannot otherwise be deployed by air. It is likely that BAS will require approximately 100 fuel bladders over a 5 year period with the first order being required in financial year 2019/20. Whilst content with the current model deployed, BAS is very interested to explore other potential production solutions/providers that may be able to offer us new opportunities in meeting our logistical challenges such as increased capability for traverse operations, increased efficiency or better overall value for money. For this purpose we are wishing to explore potential alternatives from supplier as part of a market sounding activity. Our expectation is that any potential suppliers will be able to offer fuel bladders and/or solutions which are safe for operation in Antarctica deep field exploration. This is NOT a call for competition