Issue details

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are leading an aggregated procurement to standardise Breathing Apparatus and ancillary equipment (BA) on behalf of the 4F Group consisting of West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, East Sussex Fire Authority, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority.   

Aside from the collaborative process and initial financial efficiencies from procurement, the project outcomes will strongly influence a variety of longer-term benefits which will include:

1. standardisation of Breathing Apparatus (BA) equipment across 4F.
2. enabling the wider programme of operational alignment (for example BA).
3. seamless cross-border mobilisation of FRS assets and firefighters who can work together using the same operational guidance, training, and equipment.

The procurement will utilise a National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) endorsed Framework Agreement with each organisation entering into its own call-off agreement for the provision of equipment and support services. The estimated total contract value for West Sussex is £1.7m based on a 10-year contract.

Following the completion of the procurement process, the Chief Fire Officer seeks to award the Contract for the purchase of this equipment to the bidder submitting the most economical and technologically suitable tender and following extensive practical evaluation processes by 4F leads.