Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2017-01-13
Buyer: Leidos Supply Ltd
Country: UK
Region: UNITED KINGDOM
Contract type: Supplies
CPV classification: 31158100: Fast chargers | 31410000 | 31411000 | 31420000 | 31421000
Estimated value: 32000000 GBP

Technical requirements: Team Leidos has a future requirement for the supply of a range of Batteries and associated Items and intends to invite tenders for its MOD Batteries supply with a view to awarding Contracts that are targeted to commence in Summer 2017. Team Leidos will invite tenders against approximately 350 Batteries/Chargers and associated Items. The battery types cover a wide range of chemistries including: Alkaline Manganese, Lead Acid, Lithium Carbon Monofluoride, Lithium Iron Disulphide, Lithium Manganese Dioxide, Lithium Thionyl Chloride, Lithium Sulphur Dioxide, Magnesium Sliver Chloride, Nickel Cadmium, Nickel Metal Hydride, Silver Oxide, Zinc Air and Zinc Carbon/Zinc Chloride.
In addition to the original RFI and to aid your consideration further a list of the items that we will be tendering for, together with information including the standards with which each battery will be required to comply and the usage data of each battery type can be provided on request by E Mail using the point(s) of contact within this bulletin.
Our customer, the MoD, requires us to provide Batteries, which include a proportion identified solely by brand names; product names and/or product numbers. This is because the use for which the product was codified required testing; manufacturer's approval; Design Authority approval; Submarine Toxicity Clearance; or the specific technical, chemical or physical properties of the specified item. The batteries and associated items have been codified in such a way that the brand name and/or part reference often form part of the coded characteristics which define the essence of the item. Given the way in which these particular products have been codified, and in accordance with PCR 2015 (Section 5, Technical Specification, 42. (5) and (12)) Leidos expects the brands/product names/product numbers specified for the MOD Batteries to be the only Batteries able to meet the MOD's supply requirements on some or all occasions, and considers therefore that the specification in this tender process of these makes and models of Batteries and associated items are justified by the subject matter of the Contract.
For example, in instances where the parent equipment supplier has stipulated a particular product type or footprint, these are the items that must be provided and alternatives and near equivalents are unacceptable (We refer to these as Stated Product Types). Similarly, in some instances, where the parent equipment supplier has specified a bespoke product these are the items that must be provided, alternatives are unacceptable (We refer to these as Specified Products).
Nonetheless, Leidos considers that there may be products that could on occasion meet the MOD's technical specification, but which are not yet certified and codified. If a supplier identifies an alternative or equivalent Product in terms of Fit, Form, Function, which also meets the specified requirements, Leidos will consider appointing the supplier of such an alternative to the framework agreement, but it would require some items to achieve Interim Certification prior to Full Certification before achieving any orders of that alternative. Note that all costs for achieving compliance will sit with the supplier, and the prices quoted must be reflective of certified products. These products must meet all other mandatory requirements and legislation compliance (e.g. product labelling and Dangerous Good Transport classification). Supplementary requirements (package quantities and additional labelling etc.) may also be involved in future Contract conditions.
The nature of the certification requirements differ between products. The individual requirements are detailed in each specification, Defence Standard 61-21 Supplement, Mil Spec or other stated reference. Where Defence Standard 61-21 is invoked the Performance Assessment Sheet of each supplement shall be used as the vehicle to summarise product compliance to the minimum requirements for interim certification (i.e. usually up to but not including post storage evaluation) and supporting information (Test Data) shall be available if required.
Potential suppliers are to certify cells and batteries against the specified requirements appropriate to each individual cell or battery type. Evidence of achieved compliance must be in accordance with the actual requirements detailed in the appropriate specification (test conditions, numbers of samples and test sequence etc.).
Any changes to the certified product or its build standard would necessitate recertification in advance of supply.
For more information about Defence Standards please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-defence-standardization and the standards themselves are available via the MOD's Standards Extranet Site that requires a short registration process: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-defence-standardization#related-links. If you should have any issues accessing these Defence Standards electronically please contact us to resolve. Please note: the Defence Standard 61-21 provides an overview of the standards and certification and the individual supplements provide details of the specific evidence required to certify each battery or group of batteries.
In order to test the ability of Industry to be able to deliver this requirement Team Leidos may hold a Bidders Conference, Without Commitment, in early 2017. Any organisation requiring additional information or wishing to participate in the Bidders Conference should contact Team Leidos by e-mail using the point(s) of contact within this bulletin. Non-participation in the Bidders Conference will not be taken into account in any future procurement activities or preclude any organisation from submitting a tender in any future competition. Team Leidos will not meet any costs incurred by participation in the Bidders Conference.
This Prior Information Notice is not a means to submit a formal expression of interest in respect of any potential Tender. Any resultant requirement will be subject to the EU Public Procurement Regulations and respective advertising action.