UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

Regulated Below Threshold Tender for a Maintenance Service for Interactive Features Lighting and Scenery

Ten [10] year mid-life Service on the two Aerial Ladder Platforms supplied by Rosenbauer UK Ltd in 2016

Safety Central is Cheshire Fire Authority's safety and lifeskills education centre, located in Lymm just outside Warrington. The centre has several interactive and scenic features that include lighting, scenery and audio-visual effects. The Authority requires a contract for maintenance and repair of Interactive Features, Lighting and Scenery. There is also a requirement for the contract to include any new or additional requirements including, but not limited to, additional equipment/interactive features, lighting and/or scenery or any refresh/ refurbishments that may be required during the duration of the contract. The contract will be awarded for three years initially, with up to two annual extensions.

The Aerial Ladder Platforms supplied to Cheshire Fire Authority by Rosenbauer UK Ltd after a competitive exercise in 2015 are now required to go back to the manufacturer for their mid life service (10 years old). As the manufacturer only Rosenbauer UK Ltd have the proprietary diagnostic equipment for these vehicles. The vehicles are required to be returned to Rosenbauer UK Ltd's German facility and the total cost for the work to be carried out, including shipping and duties, is £132,000 per vehicle including VAT.

Provision of Network Services

This notice is presented on the basis of an exemption permitting direct award without competition under the Procurement Act 2023. The ground relied on is as follows:- “strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to preserve assets or enable services to be maintained”. This award is justified because the provision of ongoing Wide Area Network Services is critical to continued operations. There is a current contract in place for the provision of such services which comes to an end on 02nd February 2026. Steps have been taken in a timely fashion to secure a new long-term contract for the provision of wide area network services with effect from 03rd February 2026 https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/blpd/view-contract?secureid=5b0b705a-ec31-46c4-ab1a-92aed8a53c67. However, given the criticality of such services to the ability to continue to provide blue light services in Cheshire and given the timing along with unexpected/ emerging risks, it is strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to facilitate appropriate contingency arrangements to mitigate any risk of a gap in provision. This notice is presented on the basis of an exemption permitting direct award without competition under the Procurement Act 2023. The ground relied on is as follows:- “strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to preserve assets or enable services to be maintained”. This award is justified because the provision of ongoing Wide Area Network Services is critical to continued operations. There is a current contract in place for the provision of such services which comes to an end on 02nd February 2026. Steps have been taken in a timely fashion to secure a new long-term contract for the provision of wide area network services with effect from 03rd February 2026 https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/blpd/view-contract?secureid=5b0b705a-ec31-46c4-ab1a-92aed8a53c67. However, given the criticality of such services to the ability to continue to provide blue light services in Cheshire and given the timing along with unexpected/ emerging risks, it is strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to facilitate appropriate contingency arrangements to mitigate any risk of a gap in provision. Such a short term contingency arrangement cannot be awarded on the basis of a competitive tendering procedure because the services are strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency and, there is both insufficient time to complete a further competitive exercise and insufficient time for any other provider (given the works involved) to set up and establish a replacement supply. These services could only be provided by the existing supplier whose infrastructure is already in place. As indicated, this award is only for the purpose of securing services for so long as is necessary to mitigate the risk. A short-term contract for the shortest possible term has been provisioned for and a further contract is already in place for the longer term. Other options including informal competition, quotes or use of a framework were considered but the timescale means no other supplier could provision in the timeframe required even if commenced immediately. Factoring in any exercise would extend an already impossible timeframe. Such a short term contingency arrangement cannot be awarded on the basis of a competitive tendering procedure because the services are strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency and, there is both insufficient time to complete a further competitive exercise and insufficient time for any other provider (given the works involved) to set up and establish a replacement supply. These services could only be provided by the existing supplier whose infrastructure is already in place. As indicated, this award is only for the purpose of securing services for so long as is necessary to mitigate the risk. A short-term contract for the shortest possible term has been provisioned for and a further contract is already in place for the longer term. Other options including informal competition, quotes or use of a framework were considered but the timescale means no other supplier could provision in the timeframe required even if commenced immediately. Factoring in any exercise would extend an already impossible timeframe.

Safety Central is Cheshire Fire Authority's safety and lifeskills education centre, located in Lymm just outside Warrington. The centre has several interactive and scenic features that include lighting, scenery and audio-visual effects. The Authority requires a contract for maintenance and repair of Audio-Visual Equipment.

This notice is presented on the basis of an exemption permitting direct award without competition under the Procurement Act 2023. The ground relied on is as follows:- “strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to preserve assets or enable services to be maintained”. This award is justified because the provision of ongoing Wide Area Network Services is critical to continued operations. There is a current contract in place for the provision of such services which comes to an end on 02nd February 2026. Steps have been taken in a timely fashion to secure a new long-term contract for the provision of wide area network services with effect from 03rd February 2026 https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/blpd/view-contract?secureid=5b0b705a-ec31-46c4-ab1a-92aed8a53c67. However, given the criticality of such services to the ability to continue to provide blue light services in Cheshire and given the timing along with unexpected/ emerging risks, it is strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to facilitate appropriate contingency arrangements to mitigate any risk of a gap in provision. This notice is presented on the basis of an exemption permitting direct award without competition under the Procurement Act 2023. The ground relied on is as follows:- “strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to preserve assets or enable services to be maintained”. This award is justified because the provision of ongoing Wide Area Network Services is critical to continued operations. There is a current contract in place for the provision of such services which comes to an end on 02nd February 2026. Steps have been taken in a timely fashion to secure a new long-term contract for the provision of wide area network services with effect from 03rd February 2026 https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/blpd/view-contract?secureid=5b0b705a-ec31-46c4-ab1a-92aed8a53c67. However, given the criticality of such services to the ability to continue to provide blue light services in Cheshire and given the timing along with unexpected/ emerging risks, it is strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency to facilitate appropriate contingency arrangements to mitigate any risk of a gap in provision. Such a short term contingency arrangement cannot be awarded on the basis of a competitive tendering procedure because the services are strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency and, there is both insufficient time to complete a further competitive exercise and insufficient time for any other provider (given the works involved) to set up and establish a replacement supply. These services could only be provided by the existing supplier whose infrastructure is already in place. As indicated, this award is only for the purpose of securing services for so long as is necessary to mitigate the risk. A short-term contract for the shortest possible term has been provisioned for and a further contract is already in place for the longer term. Other options including informal competition, quotes or use of a framework were considered but the timescale means no other supplier could provision in the timeframe required even if commenced immediately. Factoring in any exercise would extend an already impossible timeframe. Such a short term contingency arrangement cannot be awarded on the basis of a competitive tendering procedure because the services are strictly necessary for reasons of extreme and unavoidable urgency and, there is both insufficient time to complete a further competitive exercise and insufficient time for any other provider (given the works involved) to set up and establish a replacement supply. These services could only be provided by the existing supplier whose infrastructure is already in place. As indicated, this award is only for the purpose of securing services for so long as is necessary to mitigate the risk. A short-term contract for the shortest possible term has been provisioned for and a further contract is already in place for the longer term. Other options including informal competition, quotes or use of a framework were considered but the timescale means no other supplier could provision in the timeframe required even if commenced immediately. Factoring in any exercise would extend an already impossible timeframe.

To maintain resilience in mobilising fire crews and appliances from station end equipment, it is essential to upgrade the existing PSTN modems to 4G routers. This upgrade is required due to BT's announcement that analogue PSTN lines will begin decommissioning from December 2025. While this timeline may be extended by a few years, the risk to operational reliability remains significant. Supplier - Telent Technology Services Limited Contract Value -£176,515.46 plus VAT

To maintain resilience in mobilising fire crews and appliances from station end equipment, it is essential to upgrade the existing PSTN modems to 4G routers. This upgrade is required due to BT's announcement that analogue PSTN lines will begin decommissioning from December 2025. While this timeline may be extended by a few years, the risk to operational reliability remains significant.

Safety Central is Cheshire Fire Authority's safety and life skills education centre, located in Lymm just outside Warrington. The centre has several interactive and scenic features that include lighting, scenery and audio-visual effects. The Authority requires a contract for maintenance and repair of Interactive Features, Lighting and Scenery. There is also a requirement for the contract to include any new or additional requirements including, but not limited to, additional equipment/interactive features, lighting and/or scenery or any refresh/ refurbishments that may be required during the duration of the contract. The contract will be awarded for three years initially, with up to two annual extensions. Assessment summaries have been issued to all Suppliers that have been assessed. This voluntary standstill period will end on 3rd December 2025.

MetaCompliance provide Cyber Security Awareness Training for employees which is designed to capture their attention and make meaningful changes to information management and compliance behaviours. The training takes place virtually with employees receiving a notification via email when they have been assigned a course to complete. The courses are short and concise; typically involving a 3 – 5minute video to watch followed by a short 5 question quiz which they are then given a pass or fail score. MetaCompliance provides a world-class Security Awareness Training solution that helps to raise awareness of cyber security threats, reduce the risks associated with cyber-attacks, and embed a culture of security compliance in organisations. The full content for the eLearning courses, templates and learning experiences for the simulated phishing exercise is already in place and agreed between Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and MetaCompliance, along with other awareness courses that have been developed between both parties. The software is installed on each machine, which is configured to ensure training and awareness is pushed throughout CFRS’ organisation to have their training materials delivered through MetaCompliance. Overall, Meta provides a cost-effective way to get a robust and effective security awareness training program up and running which drives a continuous positive, engaging security awareness culture all of which assists us ensuring that our compliance obligations are met and helps reduce human error and remediate security risks. Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service has a technical reliance on MetaCompliance due to its proven, configurable interaction with endpoint devices, its ability to defer or control enforcement actions in safety critical operational contexts, and its deep integration into HR, assurance, and national cyber compliance processes.

MetaCompliance provide Cyber Security Awareness Training for employees which is designed to capture their attention and make meaningful changes to information management and compliance behaviours. The training takes place virtually with employees receiving a notification via email when they have been assigned a course to complete. The courses are short and concise; typically involving a 3 – 5minute video to watch followed by a short 5 question quiz which they are then given a pass or fail score. MetaCompliance provides a world-class Security Awareness Training solution that helps to raise awareness of cyber security threats, reduce the risks associated with cyber-attacks, and embed a culture of security compliance in organisations. The full content for the eLearning courses, templates and learning experiences for the simulated phishing exercise is already in place and agreed between Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and MetaCompliance, along with other awareness courses that have been developed between both parties. The software is installed on each machine, which is configured to ensure training and awareness is pushed throughout CFRS’ organisation to have their training materials delivered through MetaCompliance. Overall, Meta provides a cost-effective way to get a robust and effective security awareness training program up and running which drives a continuous positive, engaging security awareness culture all of which assists us ensuring that our compliance obligations are met and helps reduce human error and remediate security risks. Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service has a technical reliance on MetaCompliance due to its proven, configurable interaction with endpoint devices, its ability to defer or control enforcement actions in safety critical operational contexts, and its deep integration into HR, assurance, and national cyber compliance processes.

MetaCompliance provide Cyber Security Awareness Training for employees which is designed to capture their attention and make meaningful changes to information management and compliance behaviours. The training takes place virtually with employees receiving a notification via email when they have been assigned a course to complete. The courses are short and concise; typically involving a 3 – 5minute video to watch followed by a short 5 question quiz which they are then given a pass or fail score. MetaCompliance provides a world-class Security Awareness Training solution that helps to raise awareness of cyber security threats, reduce the risks associated with cyber-attacks, and embed a culture of security compliance in organisations. The full content for the eLearning courses, templates and learning experiences for the simulated phishing exercise is already in place and agreed between Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and MetaCompliance, along with other awareness courses that have been developed between both parties. The software is installed on each machine, which is configured to ensure training and awareness is pushed throughout CFRS’ organisation to have their training materials delivered through MetaCompliance. Overall, Meta provides a cost-effective way to get a robust and effective security awareness training program up and running which drives a continuous positive, engaging security awareness culture all of which assists us ensuring that our compliance obligations are met and helps reduce human error and remediate security risks. Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service has a technical reliance on MetaCompliance due to its proven, configurable interaction with endpoint devices, its ability to defer or control enforcement actions in safety critical operational contexts, and its deep integration into HR, assurance, and national cyber compliance processes. This is a UK7 Contract Details Notice

Incident Command Software System

Applicant Tracking System for Recruitment vacancies

Breathing Apparatus and Associated Items for Firefighters

Cheshire Fire Authority require access to a Chemical hazards database which provides advice to Emergency Responders for incidents involving chemical spillages, fires and contamination. The current VMDS, Mobile Gateway and AIUS system used by Cheshire Fire Authority will only integrate with Chemdata® Ricardo-AEA Ltd own the licences for the Chemdata® software so are therefore the only supplier who can supply it. It is therefore the intention to award a contract to Ricardo-AEA Ltd for 100 Chemdata® licences for five [5] years.