Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Home Office
London
CollaborativeProcurement@homeoffice.gov.uk
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI - London
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Public order and safety
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Test facility for the assessment of conducted energy devices
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71632000 - Technical testing services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Police in the UK currently use conducted energy devices (CEDs), specifically various Taser™ models manufactured by Axon. Enterprise Inc. The authorisation of any new CED in the UK requires significant and rigorous independent scientific and technical assessment. This testing ensures all necessary safety standards are met, alongside continued operational reliability when using the device against those who are violent or threaten violence.
The Home Office are exploring options for independent testing of CEDs against specified testing requirements which would potentially be overseen in person by government officials.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £250,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 35000000 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment
- 35200000 - Police equipment
- 71632000 - Technical testing services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Police in the UK currently use conducted energy devices (CEDs), specifically various Taser™ models manufactured by Axon. Enterprise Inc. The authorisation of any new CED in the UK requires significant and rigorous independent scientific and technical assessment. This testing ensures all necessary safety standards are met, alongside continued operational reliability when using the device against those who are violent or threaten violence.
The Home Office are exploring options for independent testing of CEDs against specified testing requirements which would potentially be overseen in person by government officials.
The Home Office is seeking input from test facilities that would be able to undertake testing to defined specifications for CEDs.
Currently assessments are conducted within government. The Authority is exploring options for partnering with independent test facilities that are capable of conducting physical assessments of devices, for example in terms of reliability, robustness or performance. Any CEDs and related consumables (e.g. cartridges) for assessment would be provided by the Authority
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 September 2023
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The Contracting Authority is issuing this Prior Information Notice (PIN) as a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market intelligence/information, to gain a better understanding of the capacity and appetite of the market.
It is important to note that this PIN/RFI is not a call for competition and as such potential providers will need to express an interest in any future tender opportunity once a contract notice is published in Find a Tender Service and on Contracts Finder.
It should be noted that this PIN/RFI invites individuals and organisations to express an interest in this RFI exercise only, and it is NOT a pre-qualification questionnaire, and is NOT part of any pre-qualification or selection process.
To request access to the RFI document please email CollaborativeProcurement@homeoffice.gov.uk and request the RFI document related to Test facility for the assessment of conducted energy devices. The document will then be sent for completion and should be returned to the same email address before the deadline. Responses are required as soon as possible to inform next steps, but the RFI will remain open until 11/08/23