PRIOR INFORMATION NOTICE FOR CONTRACT IN THE FIELD OF DEFENCE AND SECURITY - OFFICIAL JOURNAL

Section I: Contracting Authority / Entity

I.1)

Name, Address and Contact Point(s)

I.2)

Type of contracting Authority and Main Activity or Activities

Ministry or any other national or federal authority, including their regional or local sub-divisions National or federal agency/Office Regional or local Authority Regional or local Agency/Office Body governed by public law European Institution/Agency or International Organisation

General public services Defence Public order and safety Environment Economic and financial affairs Health Housing and community amenities Social protection Recreation, culture and religion Education

Section II: Object of the Contract

II.1)

Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority/entity

Police Primary Carbine System

II.2)

Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance

II.3)

This notice involves a framework agreement

II.4)

Short description of nature and scope of works or nature and quantity or value of supplies or services

Multi-force framework agreement for the provision of a Police Primary Carbine System for up to 7 years (5+1+1). There is potential that this framework will be split into two lots, one for the suppressed build and the other for the unsuppressed build. This is subject to internal governance. The suppressed build will be a sole supplier framework, whereas the unsuppressed build will be a multi-supplier framework let to bidders who meet the standard set in the bid documentation. Further information regarding these lots can be found in the annexes to this Section II: Object of the Contract.The subsequent frameworks will facilitate the purchase of approved weapon systems to police services across the UK and Northern Ireland via a standardised call-off procedure. Usage of the framework agreements will be subject to demand and budget, therefore guarantees of orders cannot be provided.

The agreements will follow a framework agreement structure, with terms rolling down to each contracting authority that contracts with the successful suppliers through the agreement.

The procurements will be ran in stages, namely;

- Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ)

- Paper based evaluation stage

- Physical testing stage

- Pricing evaluation stage

Due to the nature of the goods to be procured, the procurement process will be ran in line with the Defence and Security Public Contract Regulations (2011).

Bidders will be downselected through each stage. Exact details of the process will be released in the tender documentation released in the subsequent contract notice published upon commencement of the tender.

This notice is issued as a Request for Information(RFI) to gather market intelligence/information, to gain a better understanding of the capacity and appetite of the market. See Section VI: Complementary Information.

II.5)

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

II.6)

Scheduled date for start of award procedures and duration of the contract

II.7)

Additional information

Section III: Legal, Economic, Financial and Technical Information

III.1)

Conditions relating to the contract

III.1.1)

Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions regulating them

III.2)

Conditions for participation

III.2.1)

Reserved contracts

Section VI: Complementary Information

VI.1)

Contract related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds

VI.2)

Additional information

As noted in Section II: Object, this PIN is issued 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 on Find a Tender 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 please email

NCTPHQMailbox-.Commercial@met.police.uk

and request the RFI related to the Police Primary Carbine System PIN. The specification details can be reviewed and any responses should be returned to the same email address before the deadline of 12:00 on Monday 6th January 2024.

The Authority seeks to determine market potential and consider market views on the requirements with a view to ensure such views are considered for any potential procurement that the Authority may wish to launch.

No information contained in this RFI, or in any communication made between the Authorities and any potential provider in connection with this RFI, shall be relied upon as constituting a contract, agreement, or representation that any procurement or contract may result from this RFI. Under no circumstances shall the Authorities incur any liability in respect of this RFI or any supporting documentation.

The Authorities will not reimburse any costs incurred by potential providers in connection with preparation and submission of their responses to this RFI.

VI.3)

Information on general regulatory framework

VI.4)

Date of dispatch of this notice

ANNEX B

Information About Lots

1)

Short Description

Suppressed Police Carbine System.

Anticipated Volume: c600 systems.

As noted in Section II: Object, this will be a sole supplier framework. The most economically advantageous tender will be selected following the aforementioned stages in the tender process.

The high level specification for this weapon system is as follows:

• AR15 style carbine utilising a direct impingement or gas operated system

• 5.56 calibre with a 11" - 12" max barrel length

• Full ambidextrous controls

• Fitted with an adjustable stock which can be locked in several positions - maximum length (with stock collapsed) of 30" (excluding suppressor)

• Fitted with full length picatinny rail along upper receiver and hand guard

• Handguard fitted with M-Lok attachment system at 3, 6 & 9 o'clock positions

• Supplied with a QD high flow suppressor designed to minimise gasses around the firer along with a suitable muzzle brake / flash hider

• Must be compatible with simmunition / UTM blank and paint kits, this will also include the provision of a training suppressor

• Must be capable of disassembly for routine maintenance without the need for tools

• Must function suppressed and unsuppressed with the current national operational ammunition

Nine contracting authorities will have access to this lot. They are:

• The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime(MOPAC) on behalf of Counter Terrorism Policing HQ (CTPHQ) (Lead Authority)

• West Yorkshire Combined Authority

• West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

• The Greater Manchester Combined Authority

• Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales

• Avon & Somerset Constabulary

• Thames Valley Police

• Scottish Police Authority

• CPD - Supplies and Services Division

2)

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

3)

Quantity or scope

4)

Indication about different contract dates

5)

Additional Information about lots

ANNEX B

Information About Lots

1)

Short Description

Unsuppressed Police Carbine System

Anticipated Volume: c9,300systems

As noted in Section II: Object, this will be a multi-supplier framework. Bids that meet the pre-determined pass mark will be awarded a place on this lot following the aforementioned stages in the tender process.

The high level specification for this weapon system is as follows:

• AR15 style carbine utilising a direct impingement or gas operated system

• 5.56 calibre with a 11" - 12" max barrel length

• Full ambidextrous controls

• Fitted with an adjustable stock which can be locked in several positions - maximum length (with stock collapsed) of 30" (excluding suppressor)

• Fitted with full length picatinny rail along upper receiver and hand guard

• Handguard fitted with M-Lok attachment system at3, 6 & 9 o'clock positions

• Must be compatible with simmunition / UTM blank and paint kits

• Must be capable of disassembly for routine maintenance without the need for tools

• Must function with the current national operational ammunition

The list of contracting authorities that will have access to this agreement is yet to be determined, however will be publicised once internal governance is undertaken and approvals provided.

2)

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

3)

Quantity or scope

4)

Indication about different contract dates

5)

Additional Information about lots

The final tender will include this lot subject to approvals at internal governance boards. Should this lot be included within this tender, the testing for both lots will be conducted simultaneously. Bids that achieve the pre-determined score will be awarded a place on this lot. Call-offs via this lot will likely need to undergo further competition to ensure value for money.