Fire-alarm systems

Description

The Houses of Parliament (HoP) require to upgrade the Automatic Fire Detection (AFD) and Voice Alarm Systems (VAS) for approximately 15 buildings on the Parliamentary Estate. This programme requires a solution providing both AFD and VAS equipment that consultants and contractors to the HoP may specify and/or use to deliver upgraded AFD and VAS installations within the HoP Estate. The Parliamentary Estate is protected by AFD and VAS in varying stages of their life-cycle. Improvement projects within a wider programme of work, some aligning with general refurbishment projects, are being developed to upgrade these systems. The purpose of this particular Contract Opportunity is to approach the AFD and VAS market with a view to selecting a suitable supplier to standardise hardware and software across the whole estate and achieve more efficient supply, working and operation of the systems. Products offered as a solution will be current and be supported with a commitment to maintaining that product as a current and/or available offering within an agreed cost structure for the period of the contract. It is envisaged that a supply contract may run for a period of up to a maximum of 10 years save that the HoP shall reserve a right to terminate the contract at intermediate points to be specified within the maximum contract period. The initial contract period is anticipated to be 7 years with options to extend on 1 or more occasions to a maximum of a further 3 years. The estimated value of the supply element is 8 000 000 GBP and 12 000 000 GBP. An initial maintenance contract is anticipated to be 4 years in the 1st instance with options to extend 1 or more occasions to a maximum of a further 6 years. The estimated value of maintenance at 2 400 000 GBP is a cumulative total rising from 0 GBP in year 1. A supplier of such systems to the HoP is expected to be able to deliver a solution which offers: — An outline design suitable for the whole estate; — Continuity of supply for a period of up to 10 years; — Confidence as to ongoing product support, operation, maintenance and resilience into the future from the point of supply, whether year 1 or subsequent periods of the supply contract; — A demonstrable commitment that the installed hardware and software will be supported for the expected working life of the system once installed; — A contract for the supply of a solution on pre-agreed terms that may be installed either by the supplier and/or other contractors appointed by the HoP; — Scope for working with the HoP project designers; — Open communication protocols that provide the ability to connect to site management operation software and other third party systems such as Lift, Building Management, Security, CCTV and Access Control Systems; — The ability to interface with installed plant/machinery and other fire related equipment /systems to effect controlled actions in the event of an incident; — Be able to meet the HoP requirements for resilience and redundant operation whilst providing overall life-cycle value for money; — Flexibility in procuring ongoing maintenance. The level of annual spend under the contract may vary above or below an estimated pro-rata value of 800 000 GBP to 1 250 000 GBP per annum. Level of spend will be dependent upon progression of the wider programme of work. At these anticipated levels of annual spend the HoP considers this contract opportunity to be suitable to receive Applications to Participate from Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SME's). The Houses of Parliament is accredited by Citizens UK (CUK) as London Living Wage Employers. It agrees to ensure that contracted staff and sub-contracted staff working on its premises are paid at least the LLW subject to the terms of the licence. More generally, the Authority is committed to ensuring the welfare of staff who provide services to it and the maintenance of a motivated and stable workforce. The Authority believes that payment of the LLW is 1 way to meet this obligation.