Award

Provision of Scientific Support Service

ROYAL BERKSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

22 Apr 2026 at 17:51

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has completed the procurement process for a contract titled "Provision of Scientific Support Service," awarded to Bureau Veritas UK Ltd in Reading, England. This contract falls under the industry categories of calibration services and radiation protection, with a focus on structural compliance and safety analysis. The procurement followed a selective process through the YPO Framework Agreement for Engineering Inspection Services. The tender phase concluded with a Request for Quotation that ended on December 15, 2025, and the contract commenced on January 1, 2026, set to run until December 31, 2029. The award was published on April 22, 2026, with an awarded value of £70,000.

This tender presents significant opportunities for large firms offering scientific expertise in calibration and radiation protection services, aiming to enhance operational integrity and adhere to regulatory requirements. While Bureau Veritas UK Ltd emerged as the sole supplier, businesses equipped to deliver comprehensive scientific support services, including those involving forensic testing and health and safety investigations, are well-positioned to explore similar contracts. SMEs may have potential involvement, although this particular procurement was geared towards larger enterprises due to the scale required by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Scientific Support Service

Notice Description

The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) require specialist provider capable of delivering comprehensive Scientific Support Services. These services include radiation protection advice, hazardous material support, calibration service, training provisions, forensic testing and investigation, as well as assistance with health and safety investigation. In addition to these previously specified requirements, the scope now incorporates structural compliance and safety analysis to ensure enhanced operational integrity and regulatory adherence. RBFRS utilised the YPO Framework Agreement: 1014 Engineering Inspection Services including Insurance as a potential route to market. YPO confirmed that a compliant route could be achieved by reopening the pricing elements and running a Request for Quotation (RFQ) to all the suppliers listed in the Framework Agreement as the radiation protection was not listed as the core service. Bureau Veritas emerged as the sole supplier who meets all of these requirements, offering assurance of legislative compliance, strengthened operational resilience and access to specialist scientific expertise that is not readily available elsewhere.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-4af3de87-19fb-4224-8753-cb212f5996e3
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/27d7d7cb-c72c-47d4-8a29-48217841cc1c
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Call-off from a framework agreement
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

50 - Repair and maintenance services

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

50433000 - Calibration services

90721600 - Radiation protection services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£70,000 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Apr 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
15 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
31 Mar 20263 weeks ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2029 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ROYAL BERKSHIRE FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
READING
Postcode
RG31 7SD
Post Town
Reading
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ16 Berkshire West
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
West Berkshire
Electoral Ward
Tilehurst Birch Copse
Westminster Constituency
Reading West and Mid Berkshire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BUREAU VERITAS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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