Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Ministry of Defence
Defence Equipment & Support, MOD Abbey Wood South, LEOC-STSP-DCC-Lethality, NH3 Cedar 2A #3260, Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8JH
Contact
Lisa Sinfield
Telephone
+44 3001666082
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKK1 - Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area
Internet address(es)
Main address
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
Accuracy International Combined Support Services
Reference number
701553541
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 50620000 - Repair and maintenance services of firearms and ammunition
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Authority intends to award a contract to Accuracy International Ltd for the provision of combined support, supply and repair services in respect of in-service sniper rifles. The contract will be for a 5-year period and will include the provision of a technical support service and will enable the procurement of additional in-service rifles, if required.
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: £1,500,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 35300000 - Weapons, ammunition and associated parts
- 35321200 - Rifles
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK1 - Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Bristol/Bath area
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This contract will provide combined support, supply and repair services for the in-service fleet of sniper rifles, that will ensure the UK Armed Forces Commands can meet their enduring and future capability needs. This contract will include the provision of a technical support service and enable the procurement of additional in-service rifles, if required.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Options will be available on the contract to procure additional in-service rifles. There will not be an option available to extend the term of the contract.
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 procedure without publication of a contract notice
- The products involved are manufactured purely for the purpose of research, experiment, study or development
- 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 Dismounted Close Combat programme team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to place a 5-year contract with Accuracy International Ltd for the Combined Support, Supply and Repair of the in-service sniper rifles that includes a technical support service and the provision to procure additional in-service rifles, if required.
The Contract will be placed using the Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication of a Contract Notice pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the UK Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for Technical Reasons. This is because Accuracy International Ltd are the only economic entity with the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the rifle comprised in this contract. Accuracy International Ltd are the only economic entity with the capability necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority’s specification and maintains operational performance and effectiveness of the weapons.
As part of the Contract, should the Authority wish to procure additional rifles during the term of the contract, the Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication of a Contract Notice pursuant to 16(1)(b)(i) of the UK Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for Technical Reasons will apply. A change of supplier would oblige the Authority to acquire rifles having different technical characteristics that will result in incompatibility with existing in-service rifles and disproportionate technical difficulties and increased time and cost in the maintenance of the existing weapons incurred by the Authority associated with introducing new rifles and spares into the Authority’s supply chain and inventory. A change of supplier would affect the safety and operational performance of the rifle. Any rifles provided by another economic entity would require new testing, verification and validation to ensure that the safety and suitability for service of the weapon and operational performance and effectiveness is not compromised, and that the Safety Case for the weapon is not invalidated. In addition, an alternative supplier would not be able to provide the required level of technical support services essential for the Authority to safeguard operational use of the rifle. This would also lead to additional configuration control measures and generate additional training measures to mitigate any potential safety incidents from users.
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
Contract No
701553541
Title
Accuracy International Combined Support Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
30 June 2021
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
Accuracy International Ltd
PO Box 81, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Portsmouth
PO3 5SJ
Telephone
+44 2392629757
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ31 - Portsmouth
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: £1,500,000
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
Ministry of Defence
Defence Equipment & Support, MOD Abbey Wood South, LEOC-STSP-DCC-Lethality, NH3 Cedar 2A #3260, Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8JH
Telephone
+44 3001666082
Country
United Kingdom