Future Gas Equipment- RFI

The Air Commodities Delivery Team within the Ministry of Defence, hereafter referred to as the Authority, is exploring options for the support of its gaseous and cryogenic portfolio, which is currently supported via multiple contracts. The Authority is evaluating the feasibility of amalgamating the separate support arrangements into fewer contracts, or even just a single contract.

The support requirement comprises of a mixture of spares, repair, Post Design Services (PDS), routine maintenance and calibration for the current equipment with the potential option to procure new like-for-like equipment in the future. The equipment will be used to support air operations at designated UK Main Operating Bases (MOB), Permanent Joint Operating Bases (PJOB), deployment and exercise locations worldwide. Currently the combined annual spend on all of these contracts is approximately GBP0.5M.

The portfolio consists of the attached list of equipment and broad support arrangements.

As part of exploring the options available, the Authority invites industry to outline its ability and interest in meeting the requirement, by answering the below questions and providing any additional supporting information to the Authority via email . Responses should be limited to 500 words per answer or additional information. The Authority requests responses no later than 17:00 on 9.12.2021.

1. Identify which of the equipments outlined you would be able to support. If you are able to please feel free to provide evidence of any previous support to similar equipment. For each category, please indicate if you would envisage (1) performing the work within your own organisation, (2) sub-contracting it to another organisation or (3) sub-contracting it to the Original Equipment Manufacturer.

2. Is there any particular equipment within the scope that you are not able to support. Please provide detail as to why not.

3. Is there is any particular equipment you could in theory support, but do not believe it would be efficient, or represent value for money for the Authority. Please provide details as to why.

4. What information would you require within the tender documentation to be able to provide a complete tender response to support each category of equipment.

5. Are there any particular risks you can foresee with supporting any of the equipment above.

Your response will help the Authority to assess the market's capabilities and appetite to support this requirement and inform our future strategy. The Authority's current intention is that a formal competition will follow for this equipment, however this RFI should not be seen as any form of commitment to pursue this, or any other strategy.

Please refrain from supplying marketing or generic company information not relevant to the information sought in this RFI.

Additional information: Equipment and associated Support

CO2 Charging Rig installed at multiple MOBs In service Support/ scheduled maintenance, PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning, maintain technical publications

Four Cylinder Oxygen, Nitrogen and Air Charging Trolleys Mk3 5 yearly maintenance/ recertification and calibration, PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning, maintain technical publications

Single Cylinder Oxygen, Nitrogen and Air Charging Trolleys Mk3 5 yearly maintenance/ recertification and calibration, PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning, maintain technical publications

Portable Nitrogen Aircraft Charging Unit 5 yearly maintenance/ recertification, PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning, maintain technical publications

Portable Oxygen Aircraft Charging Unit 5 yearly maintenance/ recertification, PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning, maintain technical publications

Inflator Tyre High Pressure PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning, maintain technical publications

Portable Air/Nitrogen Charging Regulator PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning, maintain technical publications

Cermax Dewpoint Meter and Sampling System- Oxygen and Air/Nitrogen Annual Calibration, PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning, maintain technical publications

Inflation Adaptors Mk 2 Air & Mk 6A Nitrogen PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning, maintain technical publications

Hoses - General PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning

Oxygen Hoses and associated equipment for Aircrew Masks PDS, ad hoc repairs, spares provisioning, maintain technical publications