Scope
Reference
19968
Description
To engage an organisation to provide Life Saving appliances for in water and mass casualty rescue of migrants crossing the Dover straits in small boats.
The Home Office (HO) is responsible for securing UK borders and ensuring that all migrants attempting to enter the UK by small boats are safely and swiftly intercepted. The Home Office currently operates a fleet of dedicated charter rescue vessels in the English Channel, working in cooperation with HM Coastguard to undertake SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) rescue operations.
The rescue vessels carry a variety of additional lifesaving appliances dedicated to the rescue mission that can be rapidly deployed to aid those in the water.
The Home Office wants to understand what/which suppliers can provide the appliances listed below.
1-PERSON (SINGLE) AUTO-INFLATE HORSESHOE SAR RESCUE APPLIANCE
The appliance should be specifically designed for use in search and rescue (SAR) situations at sea or in any waterway, allowing increased accuracy by an under or over arm throw. The SAR horseshoe should offer a more ergonomic and streamline design for improved deployment to provide buoyancy to a Man Over Board (MOB) casualty and must include as a minimum:
• Automatic inflation
• Retro-reflective tape
• Compact to store in a soft case,
• Quick & easy to deploy
• Lightweight
• Oral tube for top up
• Automatic light
20+ PERSON AUTO-INFLATE SAR RESCUE COLLARS ("DONUT SHAPED")
• Specifically designed for mass casualty in-water events
• Automatic inflation
• Retro-reflective tape
• Quick and easy to deploy
• Automatic light
• Stored in a soft case
EMERGENCY WATER-ACTIVATED STROBE LIGHTING
• Lighting units specifically designed to be added to horseshoe rescue appliances and rescue collars (including spare units for servicing).
• Manual and automatic water activation by integral sensor points
• Ultra bright powerful white flashing LED dome light (minimum 2.5cd and duration of 40hours light)
• Fixing clip for easy attachment
• Tamper proof
GRAB BAG DRYBAGS (50L) FOR ONBOARD STORAGE
• Provision of various size dry bags to store additional life saving appliances for easy deployment during incidents.
The collar and horseshoe appliances should have the ability to be re-used following their deployment, once serviced and re-packed by a trained shore-based technician.
Contract dates stated below are entered are solely for example and to enable completion of notice.
Total value (estimated)
- £50,000 excluding VAT
- £60,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 July 2026
- 4 months
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 39525300 - Life jackets
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Engagement
Engagement deadline
12 January 2026
Engagement process description
This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is being issued to identify suppliers that may be able to supply the goods, services or works required (PA2023 Section 16). It does not guarantee that any procurement activity will go ahead.
The Home Office is seeking responses from suppliers who can provide the equipment above, to the minimum specifications identified. If you can provide the specified equipment then please email BFMaritimeProcurementTeam@homeoffice.gov.uk, with the following information:
1. Company name and location/address
2. Name of individual to be contacted in case of any further information being required (name, email address, telephone number)
3. The name of the appliances meeting the minimum specification listed above, with supporting evidence.
4. Item cost, product availability e.g. available to order immediately, lead in times, any restrictions on the number of products that can be ordered at one time and number
5. Confirmation of whether the product can or cannot be re-used, serviced and re-packed by Home Office.
If no: who can carry out these tasks.
If yes: is training required, are replacement consumables Original Equipment Manufacturer only or can other compatible products be used
Response must be submitted by 15:00hrs 12 January 2026 to BFProcurementTeam@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please make sure that the subject heading states 'Project_19968 Life Saving Appliances'
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
31 March 2026
Contracting authority
Home Office
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWGC-6513-PQLZ
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI32 - Westminster
Organisation type: Public authority - central government