Ministry of Defence, Ships, Maritime Combat Systems (MCS) Team

Birch 1A, #3133, Abbeywood

Bristol

BS34 8JH

UK

Contact person: Bronwen Harris

Telephone: +44 3067988886

E-mail: bronwen.harris107@mod.gov.uk

NUTS: UK

Internet address(es)

Main address: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support

II.1.1) Title

Reference number: MCS/2020

II.1.2) Main CPV code

44611200

II.1.3) Type of contract

Supplies

II.1.4) Short description

The Underwater and Electronic Warfare Project Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (‘MOD’), intends to negotiate a Contract to Ocenco Incorporated (‘Ocenco’) to provide in-service support for Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs), for a period of 5 years from 1.2.2018 with an option to extend for a further 5 years. The estimated value of this contract is 8 100 000 GBP excluding VAT.

EEBD are used for Self-Rescue from an atmosphere that will not support life (smoke, toxic fumes, low oxygen levels etc.) on board HM Ships, Submarines and RFA Vessels.

II.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

II.1.7) Total value of the procurement

Value excluding VAT: 8 129 000.00  GBP

IV.1.1) Type of procedure

Negotiated procedure without prior publication

Justification for selected award procedure:

The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator for the following reason: absence of competition for technical reasons

Explanation:

Provision of an in service support service for Emergency Escape Breathing Device

The Underwater and Electronic Warfare Project Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (‘MOD’), intends to negotiate a Contract to Ocenco Incorporated (‘Ocenco’) to provide in-service support for Emergency Escape Breathing Devices (EEBDs), for a period of 5 years from 1.2.2018 with an option to extend for a further 5 years. The estimated value of this contract is 8 100 000 GBP excluding VAT.

It is considered that this Contract can be awarded using the Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication of a Contract Notice pursuant to Article 32(2)(b)(ii) of Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (Regulation 32 (2)(b)(ii) of the UK Public Contracts Regulations 2015) 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. Introducing another type of EEBD would introduce an unacceptable safety risk to personnel and so it is therefore technically impracticable for any other company apart from Ocenco to fulfil this requirement.

IV.1.3) Information about a framework agreement

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement

IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No

Ocenco Incorporated

LakeView Corporate Park, 10225 82nd Avenue

Pleasant Prairie

WI 53158-5801

US

Telephone: +1 2629479000

NUTS: 00

Internet address(es)

URL: http://www.ocenco.com/index.html

The contractor is an SME: Yes

VI.4.1) Review body