---
title: "Fire Alarm Panel, Detectors and Sounders Replacement"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-069563"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069563"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069563.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069563.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND"
published: "2026-05-11"
---

# Fire Alarm Panel, Detectors and Sounders Replacement

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-069563

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## Summary

The University of Sunderland has completed a direct award contract for the replacement of fire alarm panels, detectors, and sounders at the Reg Vardy building. Acting as the buyer, the University executed this procurement process under a direct award due to the specialist nature of the equipment involved, which aligns with Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023. Protec Fire Detection Public Limited Company, based in Lancashire, has been engaged to provide these works, scheduled to start on 2nd June 2026 and conclude by 30th August 2026. This contract, valued at £113,994, falls under the industry category for fire-alarm system installation and related fire protection equipment services, aimed at ensuring operational continuity and minimising interruption risks.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in fire protection and alarm systems, particularly those experienced in working with proprietary systems like those offered by Protec. Companies with the capability to handle complex installations requiring specific software and training would find this contract appealing, as it leverages technical expertise and ensures ongoing operational integration. The direct award method underscores the importance of providing seamless and technically compatible solutions, which is imperative in high-stakes environments like large educational institutions. Such projects not only consolidate supplier relationships but also open avenues for future collaborations and service contracts within similar niche markets.

## Notice

The University is looking to replace the fire alarm panel alongside the fire detectors and sounders at the Reg Vardy building. It is essential that the fire alarm panel and the fire detectors and sounders, are replaced. If no action is taken and the existing system at Reg Vardy were to fail, there would be significant operational consequences.

### Procurement Information

Due to the specialist and proprietary nature of the fire alarm panels and associated components, a direct award is considered the most appropriate and compliant procurement route. The award will be made in accordance with Section 41 (Direct Award in Special Cases) of the Procurement Act 2023. Given the extensive coverage of the University estate by Protec alarms, and the need for the whole system to be integrated, there would be technical and operational difficulties for a different supplier to replace this part only of the whole system. The existing fire alarm installation is a Protec addressable system, and replacement works require Protec-specific software, programming capability and commissioning by appropriately trained engineers to maintain system continuity. Use of an alternative contractor would necessitate Protec involvement for commissioning or redesign of the system onto a different manufacturer platform, increasing cost, complexity, programme risk and downtime. A change of manufacturer would also require redesign of detection zoning, introduce compatibility and operational risks, increase commissioning and training requirements, and create long-term inefficiencies by adding another fire alarm platform to the estate, with higher ongoing maintenance costs. A direct award is therefore considered proportionate and justified due to technical compatibility requirements, the absence of genuine alternative solutions without substantial redesign, the disproportionate cost and programme implications of changing manufacturer platform, and the need to mitigate operational and compliance risk within an appropriate timeframe.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042868-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 11 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 11 May 2026 |
| Contract period | 1 Jun 2026 - 30 Aug 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £113,994 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND |
| Locality | SUNDERLAND |
| Post town | Sunderland |
| Postcode | SR1 3SD |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC44 Sunderland |
| Local authority | Sunderland |
| Electoral ward | Millfield |
| Westminster constituency | Sunderland Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | PROTEC FIRE DETECTION PUBLIC |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work
- 51 - Installation services (except software)

### Codes

- 45312100 - Fire-alarm system installation work
- 51700000 - Installation services of fire protection equipment

## Release History

- 11 May 2026 at 09:59 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042868-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042868-2026
  11th May 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-069563. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-069563.json.