Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

Tender description

This procurement seeks to establish a national framework for the provision of structural fire PPE including rescue jackets clothing and associated services for the fire and rescue and other blue light services. The aim of this project is to deliver a framework arrangement which allows fire and rescue services, and other blue light agencies, to establish contracts for the supply of structural fire PPE including rescue jackets which includes clothing and associated services used. Non-clothing equipment, such as helmet torches and stowage bags, will be in scope, other non-clothing such as fire ground radios, monitors and other ancillary equipment will be considered out of scope. This prior information notice is to inform the market that Kent and Medway Towns Fire and Rescue Authority is planning to undertake a national procurement process to deliver a framework arrangement that will allow for: — standardisation of structural fire PPE and associated services — aggregation of requirements and spend to reduce costs and achieve value for money opportunities — greater transparency regarding future demand — interoperability of kit between fire and rescue services. The authority is currently in the very early stages of the project and is engaging with potential customers to scope requirements and develop options for the structure of the framework arrangement. The authority also wants to engage early with Industry to share our early thinking and to garner feedback, which will be considered as we develop our requirements. The authority is therefore planning a programme of engagement sessions, starting with an initial supplier engagement event on 17 August 2020. Due to Covid-19, the Authority intends to hold the first session online. Full details of the event and all associated communications shall be managed using the Kent Business Portal (www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk/) and any interested suppliers are encouraged to register on the Portal to ensure that they are notified of any updates.