The procurement contact named on the official notice.

This is to advise of a Supplier Engagement Session in regards to the forthcoming opportunity (mentioned below) to be hosted virtually on 19th August 2021 by the Framework Authority.

Please note to enable the maximum amount of attendee's to the session we will be limiting the number of attendees to 2 per organisation.

Those interested in attending should respond via email to Specialistppe@kent.fire-uk.org, with their attendee's name and position held within the organisation by 5pm 17th August 2021.

There will be additional Supplier Engagement events planned for October with a date to be confirmed.

The Framework Authority intends create a Dynamic Purchasing System for the provision of Specialist Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Clothing and Associated Services ("Supplies”, Works'' and 'Services'').

The Framework Authority is seeking the lots to cover • Category 1 – Safety helmets; • Category 2 – Non-prescriptive safety eyewear (glasses and goggles);; • Category 3 – Fire resistant coveralls; • Category 4 – Safety gloves; • Category 5 – Hi Visibility jackets; • Category 6 – Hi Visibility clothing; • Category 7 – Safety boots; • Category 8 – Thermal base layers; • Category 9 – Incident Command System Tabards (ICS) • Category 10 – Gas Tight Suits (GTS); • Category 11 – Liquid Tight Suits (CPS); • Category 12 – Chemical Protection Gloves; • Category 13 - Chainsaw trouser; • Category 14 – Chainsaw gloves; • Category 15 – Hot gas cutting-Leather spats; • Category 16 - Hot gas cutting-Helmet/face shield/goggles; • Category 17 - Hot gas cutting-Gauntlets; • Category 18 - Hot gas cutting-Flash hood; • Category 19 – USAR Technical PPE (Ensemble); • Category 20 – National Fire Cadets’ Uniform • Category 21 – Laundry, including Decontamination, Cleaning, Repairs, Servicing and Testing This procurement is being undertaken via a Dynamic Purchasing System as a restricted procedure in line with Regulation 34 (5) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The Dynamic Purchasing System will be made available to all Fire and Rescue Authorities and other Blue Light Emergency Services (as set out below).

Those able to use the DPS are defined under the list of category 1 responders set out in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 which includes Police Forces, British Transport Police, Ambulance Services, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and will also include Border Force Agencies throughout the UK).

Further to this the will also include those Category 2 responders under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 which are public sector bodies or Voluntary Aid Societies, such as Kent Search and Rescue (Lowlands) or similar voluntary charitable organisations.

Whose geographical area is within the British Islands (as defined in section 5 of the Interpretation Act 1978) to purchase such Supplies.

The DPS will be a 2 stage process.

The first stage, requires potential suppliers meet the Selection Questionnaire criteria set out within the information pack in order to qualify to be successfully added to the category lot they are interested in.

There is no restrictions on the amount of lots any supplier is able to bid for.

Suppliers may at any time be added to the DPS route as long as they successfully meet the Selection Questionnaire Criteria as set out in the information/ bid pack.

In the 2nd stage individual Fire and Rescue services and other organisations as set out above as users of the DPS will be able to access the information per category lot in order that they may either complete a mini-competition or in the case of a single shortlisted supplier category lot direct award.

No other direct awards will be allowed as it is strictly forbidden by Regulation 34 (Dynamic Purchasing Systems) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

In order to provide flexibility to those participating Authorities, they may choose collaborate as a combined group within their geographical region in order to aggregate demand and enable value for money through economies of scale.