Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Blood and Transplant
203 Longmead Rd, Avon
Bristol
BS16 7FG
UK
Contact person: Sahithi Bandi
Telephone: +44 7385149017
E-mail: sahithi.bandi@nhsbt.nhs.uk
NUTS: UKK12
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Fuel Pump Maintenance & Software
II.1.2) Main CPV code
50700000
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
Merridale fuel pumps are installed across NHSBT sites and are used to transfer fuel from bulk fuel tanks into all centre-based fleet and transport vehicles.<br/>In 2016 Merridale Limited was awarded a 3-year contract for Fuel Pump Maintenance. The contract has since been extended via two further waivers and is due to expire on 29th February 2024.<br/>There are currently 10 fuel pumps in use across NHSBT for which annual maintenance and extended warranties are in place. The extended warranties are renewed annually. The total cost is approx. £15,500 per annum including VAT and includes annual inspection and calibration visits and Fuelworks software licence/hosting.<br/>The lifespan of Merridale pumps is 10+ years. Some of NHSBT’s fuel pumps are over 20 years old and are still in good condition. In 2021 Merridale modified and upgraded the pumps in line with the ATEX regulations.<br/>The FuelWorks web-based reporting software hosted by Merridale Ltd is used by NHSBT, providing on-the spot, accurate data to monitor fuel usage, efficiency, stock, evaluating emissions and predict restocking requirements. Management information regarding Liveried fuel card and carbon emission data is also linked to the software. As the software is unique to Merridale it cannot be hosted by any other supplier.<br/><br/>As original equipment manufacturer of the pumps, Merridale are the only supplier to be able to maintain and provide spare parts for the fuel pumps. The FuelWorks software is unique to Merridale and cannot be hosted by any other supplier.<br/><br/>As per the recent update The Government's proposed ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars has been pushed back to 2035. We are estimating to still run our existing vehicles until 2042 and the NHSBT fleet will transition to electric vehicles before 2042. Extending the annual warranty of the existing fuel pumps will therefore need to continue. It is unlikely that fuel pumps will be replaced unless they reach end of life or a new NHSBT opens a new site. As per the discussion with stakeholder the procurement of any new pumps is not planned for next five years.<br/><br/>Merridale are not on any public sector framework agreements. As the choice of potential suppliers is restricted and with the move to electrification of vehicles, the proposal is to award a contract without any form of tender process.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.1.7) Total value of the procurement
Value excluding VAT:
120 000.00
GBP
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKK11
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
the absence of technical alternatives stems from the specialised compatibility, safety considerations, warranty implications, system integration, and regulatory compliance associated with the OEM software required for our fuel pumps' operation. This technical dependence on OEM software serves as a valid justification under Regulation 32(b) of the PCR2015 for the direct awarding of contracts related to these pumps without competition.<br/><br/>This is an outsource service and maintenance contract. The supplier is the original equipment manufacturer for all NHSBT centre fuel pumps.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive
Explanation
Direct Award - a valid justification under Regulation 32(b) of the PCR2015 for the direct awarding of contracts.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section V: Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded:
Yes
V.2 Award of contract
V.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15/02/2024
V.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 0
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators:
No
V.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Merridale Limited
02990709
Merridale Works Lower Walsall Street Wolverhampton
UK
WV12EU
UK
Telephone: +44 01902350713
E-mail: contracts@merridale.co.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
URL: www.merridale.co.uk
The contractor is an SME:
Yes
V.2.4) Information on value of the contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot:
Total value of the contract/lot:
: 120 000.00
GBP
V.2.5) Information about subcontracting
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
The High Court
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
Internet address(es)
URL: https://www.judiciary.uk/courts-and-tribunals/high-court/
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
18/04/2024