Contract

Chemdata Licensing​

  • Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

UK7: Contract details notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-021054

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04e867 (view related notices)

Published 14 May 2025, 9:04am



Scope

Description

​Chemdata licencing is required for NIFRS to have access to safety critical chemical information whilst dealing with emergency incidents. Details include essential safety measures and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required when working with specific chemical substances.

NIFRS currently have a Chemdata corporate licence for up to 250 installations which are used by frontline appliances via Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) and operational/RCC personnel via desktop. NIFRS also have 45 pocket Chemdata licences used via Android device by Hazmat trained officers attending chemical incidents. Current licencing expires on 31/03/2025.

The way in which licencing is purchased has now changed to bundle all licence types together and can be purchased in groups of 25. NIFRS therefore require the renewal of a ChemData corporate licence for up to 300 applications, for a 1 year period effective 01/04/25 with the option for 4x annual extensions.


Contract 1

Supplier

Contract value

  • £240,000 excluding VAT
  • £288,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Date signed

1 April 2025

Contract dates

  • 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026
  • Possible extension to 31 March 2030
  • 5 years

Description of possible extension:

​NIFRS are currently in the process of progressing a business case for a new MDS which will incorporate all software license contracts accessed via MDT, within its procurement going forward. Due to the pricing and complexity of this business case, along with NIFRS resourcing availability, the key milestones for this project are as follows;

Complete business case for sign off - June 2025

ELT approval - July 2025

NIFRS Board Approval - Sept 2025

DoH Approval - Feb 2026

NIFRS will liaise with BSO Pals reference procurement of this project, after which it is estimated a likely 18month timescale for delivery from sign of contract. NIFRS have liased with Gerard Kearney, Head of IT Procurement on the need of a future tender requirement.

NIFRS therefore request the option of 4x1year extensions to this DAC, with a maximum end date of 31st March 2030. ​

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Contract locations

  • UKN - Northern Ireland

Justification for not setting key performance indicators

Not applicable as contract only cover access to data


Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes


Procedure

Procedure type

Direct award

Direct award justification

Single supplier - intellectual property or exclusive rights

Chemdata licencing is required for NIFRS to have access to safety critical chemical information whilst dealing with emergency incidents. Details include essential safety measures and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required when working with specific chemical substances.

NIFRS currently have a Chemdata corporate licence for up to 250 installations which are used by frontline appliances via Mobile Data Terminals (MDT) and operational/RCC personnel via desktop. NIFRS also have 45 pocket Chemdata licences used via Android device by Hazmat trained officers attending chemical incidents. Current licencing expires on 31/03/2025.

The way in which licencing is purchased has now changed to bundle all licence types together and can be purchased in groups of 25. NIFRS therefore require the renewal of a ChemData corporate licence for up to 300 applications, for a 1 year period effective 01/04/25 with the option for 4x annual extensions. ​


Supplier

RICARDO-AEA LIMITED

  • Companies House: 08229264
  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRWX-2796-TVZH

Shoreham Technical Centre

Shoreham-By-Sea

BN43 5FG

United Kingdom

Region: UKJ27 - West Sussex (South West)

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Supported employment provider: No

Public service mutual: No

Contract 1


Contracting authority

Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PLBR-6377-MHGZ

1 Seymour Street

Lisburn

BT27 4SX

United Kingdom

Region: UKN0E - Lisburn and Castlereagh

Organisation type: Public authority - central government

Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland