Award

Chemdata Licensing

NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

05 Feb 2025 at 15:26

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) has completed the procurement process for Chemdata Licensing, a service essential for accessing safety-critical chemical information during emergency incidents. This falls under the Information Technology services category, specifically aimed at enhancing safety protocols for chemical emergencies in the UK. This procurement was handled using a limited procurement method under an award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition. The contract, valued at £240,000, was signed on 5th February 2025.

This tender presents a significant business growth opportunity, particularly for organisations specialising in emergency response services and chemical safety. Due to the nature of the exclusive rights held by Ricardo PLC, the identified supplier, this contract is advantageous for large businesses with proprietary technology in niche markets. Such businesses can benefit from similar procurement opportunities by providing unique, critical services that support public safety and emergency response initiatives. Additionally, organisations with advanced technical capabilities in safety data management and emergency training could find valuable prospects in partnering with public safety agencies like NIFRS.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Chemdata Licensing

Notice Description

Chemdata licencing is required for NIFRS to have access to safety critical chemical information whilst dealing with emergency incidents. Details include essential safety measures and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required when working with specific chemical substances.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Articles 4-7 of the Fire and Rescue Service (NI) Order 2006 and the Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) Order (NI) 2011 confirm NIFRS have a statutory responsibility to make provision for the removal of chemicals, biological or radioactive contaminants in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incident and ensure reasonable steps are taken to prevent harm to the environment. Chemdata licencing is required for NIFRS to have access to safety critical chemical information whilst dealing with emergency incidents involving chemicals. Details include essential safety measures and PPE required when working with and around chemicals. Chemical knowledge and safety information is essential in keeping our emergency responders and the public safe. Advice includes hazards, reactivity, firefighting, first aid and various other sources of specialist advice. Some of the objectives of the knowledge base are to assist with identification of chemical hazards at incidents, identification of response actions, protection of firefighters and minimisation of accident impacts.

Options: option to extend for 4 12 month period(s)

Procurement Information

The National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC) is a former UK government agency, now privately owned as part of Ricardo PLC. Ricardo PLC are the sole supplier of Chemdata licencing within the UK and hold the technical rights to the licence. Exclusive Rights 32(2)(b)(iii) Reasons apply.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04dbee
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003845-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

CPV Codes

72222300 - Information technology services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£240,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Feb 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
5 Feb 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
nifrsprocurement@nifrs.org
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DOWNPATRICK
Postcode
BT30 6RA
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN08 Newry, Mourne and Down
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Newry, Mourne and Down
Electoral Ward
Knocknashinna
Westminster Constituency
South Down

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

RICARDO

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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