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Fire Panel Upgrades and Detector Upgrades

National Oceanography Centre

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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24 Jul 2026 at 13:25

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The National Oceanography Centre procured works to replace and upgrade its fire alarm infrastructure in Southampton. The scope covers fire alarm control panels, repeater panels, backup batteries, power supplies and field devices across the Main Building and associated estate buildings. It also includes modifications to fire alarm loops operating near capacity, followed by full testing, commissioning and certification of the upgraded system. The programme addresses ageing and end-of-life equipment, with the aim of improving reliability and resilience, reducing maintenance requirements and maintaining compliance with fire safety standards. The procurement is categorised as fire-alarm system installation work (CPV 45312100), and is a single works requirement for the Centre’s estate.

This procurement is complete and was directly awarded below threshold without competition. The contract was awarded to Premier Fire Security Limited on 23 July 2026 and signed on 23 July 2026. The awarded contract value is £195,542 excluding VAT, or £234,650.40 including VAT. The contract period runs from 3 September 2026 to 31 December 2026. The direct award rationale was the critical, live life-safety nature of the fire alarm system and the need to maintain continuity, compatibility and operational resilience. The appointed supplier’s existing knowledge from maintenance and support activities was considered important for reducing technical, operational and life-safety risks, as well as avoiding disruption, delay and additional cost from changing contractor.

This outcome indicates demand for specialist fire alarm upgrade and installation capability within a complex operational estate. A credible competitor for comparable work would need to replace and integrate control panels, repeater panels, batteries, power supplies and field devices, while modifying high-capacity fire alarm loops without compromising a live life-safety system. Evidence of thorough testing, commissioning and certification would be important, alongside the technical ability to maintain system compatibility and operational resilience. Relevant experience supporting existing fire alarm infrastructure, managing ageing equipment and reducing maintenance requirements would strengthen a supplier’s position. The award to an SME shows that this scale of specialist works can be delivered by a focused fire and security contractor with suitable technical expertise and continuity arrangements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Fire Panel Upgrades and Detector Upgrades

Notice Description

The contract covers the replacement and upgrade of the National Oceanography Centre's fire alarm infrastructure, including the replacement of fire alarm control panels, repeater panels, backup batteries, power supplies, and field devices across the Main Building and associated estate buildings. The works also include modifications to fire alarm loops operating near capacity, together with full testing, commissioning, and certification of the upgraded system. The programme is intended to address ageing and end-of-life equipment, improve system reliability and resilience, reduce maintenance requirements, and ensure continued compliance with fire safety standards. The contract has been directly awarded due to the critical nature of the fire alarm system and the requirement to maintain continuity, compatibility, and operational resilience throughout the upgrade programme. The appointed supplier has extensive knowledge of the existing fire alarm infrastructure through ongoing maintenance and support activities across the estate. Maintaining continuity with the incumbent supplier minimises operational, technical, and life-safety risks associated with upgrading a live life-safety system, whilst avoiding the additional cost, delay, and disruption that would arise from appointing an alternative contractor.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d33b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070288-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45312100 - Fire-alarm system installation work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£195,542 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
24 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Sep 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
National Oceanography Centre
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode
SO14 3ZH
Postcode Area
Southampton
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ32 Southampton
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Southampton
Electoral Ward
Bargate
Westminster Constituency
Southampton Itchen

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Premier Fire Security Ltd

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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