Prior Information Notice - Supply and Retrofit of Auxiliary Batteries

The intention of this notice is to inform potential bidders of the following planned procurement:

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) intend to appoint a Contractor (or Contractors) to supply and retrofit auxiliary batteries to a number of their operational vehicles. The auxiliary batteries are required to support the communication equipment.

The contract will be for the supply and retrofit of auxiliary batteries to Medium Rescue Pumping Appliances (MRP's) and may include a second phase of retrofits to Special Vehicles (Prime Movers, Rescue Tenders, Water Carriers, Operational Support vehicles etc.).

DSFRS currently has 110 MRP's and 48 Special Vehicles within its fleet of vehicles (including national resilience vehicles). DSFRS does not intend to retrofit auxiliary batteries to all MRP's, only those with a remaining operational life that justifies the investment. Although not confirmed, it is likely that a minimum of 40 MRP's will require retrofitting. At this early stage, it is not known how many Special Vehicles would be retrofitted if DSFRS proceeded with the second phase.

The advertised requirement may include the requirements of other collaborating UK Fire and Rescue Services, which would impact on the volumes and estimated contract value. The estimated value range is based on DSFRS only. The inclusion of other collaborating UK Fire and Rescue Services may result in a framework agreement being let by DSFRS.

The requirement may be broken down into multiple lots (to be confirmed within the contract notice).

The publication of this notice will allow DSFRS to shorten the EU open tender timescales to a minimum of 15 calendar days. This will be the minimum period between the date of the OJEU Contract Notice (the formal advert/call for competition) and the deadline for tenders to be submitted.

The current timetable for this procurement suggests that the estimated date of publication of the contract notice will be week commencing 17.8.2015. Bidders will be invited to carry out on-site vehicle surveys to inform their bid submission — The current timeslot assigned for these site visits is 24th-28th August 2015. Please note that these dates are indicative and may change.

The tender process will be run electronically, via the EU Supply e-tendering portal (https://uk.eu-supply.com/ login.asp?B=BLUELIGHT). If you are interested in this future requirement, then it is recommended that you register yourself as a supplier within the portal.

This notice is not being used as a call for competition.

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE TIMESCALES FOR THIS PROCUREMENT HAVE SLIPPED BY AT LEAST ONE MONTH, THEREFORE THE INDICATIVE DATES PROVIDED WITHIN THE ORIGINAL NOTICE ARE NO LONGER ACCURATE***

Additional information: A Prior Information Notice has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union - A copy of the published PIN is provided as an attachment.

The contract start date provided within this notice is the current date set for the start of the contract and is subject to change. The contract period has not yet been agreed; therefore the contract end date is not accurate.