The Authority has a requirement for the manufacture and supply of Operational Travel Bags (NSN 8465-99-421-5710), 30L Black Army Daysacks (8465-99-131-6017) and 30L RAF Daysacks (8465-99-5730-970).

The Authority intends to award a multi-supplier 4-year framework agreement for the manufacturing and supply of Operational Travel Bags, 30L Black Army Daysacks and 30L RAF Daysacks.

The Operational Travel Bag will be required from contract commencement with an estimated annual quantity of 41 000,00 with the 30L Black Army Daysacks and 30L RAF Daysacks required from November 2018 onwards, at an estimated annual quantity of 20 000,00 and 3 000,00 respectively. These quantities are estimates only and the Authority holds the right to lessen and/or exceed based on actual requirement.

The Authority is undertaking a Dynamic Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (DPQQ) exercise where potential suppliers are required to demonstrate their level of competence against the Authority’s criteria. Full assessment criteria and the evaluation process are detailed within the supporting DPQQ documentation. DPQQ responses are invited from potential suppliers who are capable of delivering the initial order quantity and the subsequent annual requirement. The Authority reserves the right to verify the information submitted by potential suppliers in response to the DPQQ criteria.

The Authority intends to issue an Invitation to Tender (ITT) to a maximum of 6 potential suppliers who are successful at DPQQ stage as detailed in the DPQQ Guidance Document. In the event of a tied score for sixth place, the Authority reserves the right to invite additional suppliers to tender as detailed in the DPQQ Guidance Document.

The ITT will be evaluated through a Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) calculation to determine the successful Tenderers. Full details of the ITT evaluation shall be provided within the ITT documentation.

As part of their ITT submission, Tenderers shall be required to submit, free of charge to the Authority, 2x production standard, representative samples of all 3x items (Tenderers are to note that due to the requirement to produce the 30L RAF Daysack to a specific Pantone colour, for tender assessment purposes only, the required samples of this item only may be produced in any colour. All other components are to be representative of production standard. The successful bidder will be required to provide pre-production samples in the required colour for assessment and acceptance prior to placement of the first order).

It is the intention that orders on the Framework shall be awarded either through mini-competition or direct award. Further details shall be provided in the ITT documentation.

The performance of suppliers on this Framework will be subject to monitoring and management through key performance indicators.

No business whatsoever is guaranteed under any resulting Framework Agreement or Contract, indeed there is no guarantee that any Framework Agreement of Contract will be put in place in relation to this notice. No compensation etc will be paid if a tender or resulting Framework Agreement is withdrawn for any reason. Bidders should take part in this process only on the basis that they fully understand and accept this position.