Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Army Commercial, Ministry of Defence
Blenheim Building, Monxton Road
Andover
Sp11 8hj
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK1 - Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ministry-of-defence-commercial
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Defence
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Voluntary Transparency Notice (VTN) for The Provision of Sub-Aqua Diving - 713253451
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 92600000 - Sporting services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Joint Service Adventurous Training (JSAT) seeks to improve the operational capability of Defence by developing its Service Personnel through the provision of Adventurous Leadership and Resilience Training (ALeRT). Sub-Aqua diving remains a cornerstone JSAT activity and is particularly effective at developing an individual’s understanding of how they respond to stress and nurturing effective coping strategies.
The requirement objectives are;
A provision of UK-based sub-aqua diving to enable Army Adventurous Training Centre (AATC) to achieve the Statement Of Training Requirement for BSAC Ocean Diver and Sports Diver courses.
To deliver this end state safely and in accordance with BSAC, Defence Diving Regulations and AATC policies and operating procedures.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £850,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 80511000 - Staff training services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Joint Service Adventurous Training (JSAT) seeks to improve the operational capability of Defence by developing its Service Personnel through the provision of Adventurous Leadership and Resilience Training (ALeRT). Sub-Aqua diving remains a cornerstone JSAT activity and is particularly effective at developing an individual’s understanding of how they respond to stress and nurturing effective coping strategies.
The requirement objectives are;
A provision of UK-based sub-aqua diving to enable Army Adventurous Training Centre (AATC) to achieve the Statement Of Training Requirement for BSAC Ocean Diver and Sports Diver courses.
To deliver this end state safely and in accordance with BSAC, Defence Diving Regulations and AATC policies and operating procedures.
Military diving is bound by strict rules and regulations and any supplier must be a Commercial MOD Approved Centre (ComMAC). JSAT Diving is also bound by JSP 286 The Defence Diving Manual, meaning that any diving that takes place whether in house or commercially must comply with the manual.
This will be a 3 year contract with 2x1 year options
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
2 x 1 year
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Negotiated without a prior call for competition
- No tenders or no suitable tenders/requests to participate in response to restricted 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:
The Authority intends to award a contract to Stoney Cove Ltd for the provision of sub-aqua diving to enable the continued delivery of the Statement of Training Requirement for Joint Service Adventurous Training (JSAT).
Military diving is bound by strict rules and regulations and any supplier must be a Commercial MOD Approved Centre (ComMAC). JSAT Diving is also bound by JSP 286 The Defence Diving Manual, meaning that any diving that takes place whether in house or commercially must comply with the manual. Stoney Cove Ltd is currently the only supplier capable of delivering the required services in line with the safety parameters set through JSP 286, having been audited by JSAT Diving.
Additionally, any prospective supplier must be situated within 10 miles of Gamecock Barracks, Nuneaton, which is where JSAT student accommodation is provided. There are no other dive schools within the area that can deliver the services required and transferring students further away is not feasible as they are on a training schedule. This leaves Stoney Cove Ltd as the only viable supplier.
The Authority considers that the contract may be awarded on the basis of the justification set out in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023:
Schedule 5, paragraph 6
The following conditions are met in relation to the public contract—
(a) due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required, and
(b) there are no reasonable alternatives to those goods, services or works.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract/concession
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
30 January 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Stoney Cove Ltd
Leicester
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £850,000
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Army Commercial
Blenheim Building, Monxton Road
Country
United Kingdom