Published date: 19 September 2023

This notice was replaced on 7 May 2024

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 7 May 2024)

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Breathing apparatus - 44611200

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£8,000,000

Procurement reference

tender_383736/1259499

Published date

19 September 2023

Closing date

3 October 2023

Closing time

5pm

Contract start date

27 March 2024

Contract end date

30 March 2029

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Negotiated procedure without prior publication (above threshold)

The opportunity was not advertised, because for example only one supplier is capable of delivering the requirement, or due to extreme urgency brought about by unforeseen events.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The Salvage & Marine Operations Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence ('MOD'), intends to negotiate a contract with Ocenco Incorporated ('Ocenco') to provide in-service support for Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs), together with the purchase of additional EEBDs. It is intended that the contract will be for a period of 5 years from 1st April 2024, with three additional one-year Options to extend.

In accordance with the provisions of The Public Procurement (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 SI No. 2020/1319, this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 as amended (in particular by SI 2020/1319). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of this contract without prior publication of a Contract Notice in the UK e-notification service (in accordance with the relevant legislation) is lawful in accordance with Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) because competition is absent for technical reasons.

This is because Ocenco is the sole manufacturer of the M-20.2, M-20.2XT and M-20.2T EEBDs which are currently in service with the MOD. Ocenco is the only company with the in-depth technical know-how and expertise to fulfil the requirement. Ocenco, as the original equipment manufacturer, is the only company with the ability to provide the legislative safety certification to re-certify or recycle the EEBDs which is required for MOD to comply with statutory legislation (Solas Regulation ii-2/13.3.4, ii-2/13.4.3, IMO Resolution MCS.98(73) Chapter 3.2.2 (FSS Code), IMO Resolution MCS/Circ.849, EN 13794 (2002) and ISO 23269-1 (2008)). The EEBDs provided by Ocenco are a safety critical item to personnel on board ships/submarines. Personnel are trained to use only one variant of EEBDs in the event of an escape from atmospheres that are either toxic or unable to sustain life. Using different equipment would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation by Royal Navy (RN) personnel and incompatibility with existing RN equipment. Introducing another type of EEBD would introduce an unacceptable safety risk to personnel.

About the buyer

Contact name

Ministry of Defence

Address

Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
England

Email

desshipscomrcl-salmo-multiuser@mod.gov.uk