Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Blood and Transplant
203 Longmead Rd, Avon
Bristol
BS16 7FG
Contact
Sahithi Bandi
Telephone
+44 7385149017
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Fuel Pump Maintenance & Software
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 50700000 - Repair and maintenance services of building installations
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: £120,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK11 - Bristol, City of
two.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.
This is an outsource service and maintenance contract. The supplier is the original equipment manufacturer for all NHSBT centre fuel pumps.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
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
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
Direct Award - a valid justification under Regulation 32(b) of the PCR2015 for the direct awarding of contracts.
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
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
15 February 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other 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
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Merridale Limited
Merridale Works Lower Walsall Street Wolverhampton
UK
WV12EU
Telephone
+44 01902350713
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
National registration number
02990709
Internet address
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £120,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £120,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom