INTEGRATED CLOTHING PROJECT (ICP)

Summarised by Paul Drake

Procurement Manager, HFRS

The Integrated Clothing Project (ICP) is the first major procurement exercise in the Fire and Rescue Service (F&RS) and is open to all F&RS's in the UK. It is endorsed by Local Government Association (LGA), Chief Fire Officers' Association (CFOA) & Practitioners Forum and is identified in the F&RS National Framework as an example of how service wide procurement can work to reduce costs to individual F&RS's.

The ICP is supported by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

ICP will deliver these Key Objectives -

· A national identity for the F&RS and a standard specification for a wide range of clothing, which

will provide value for money and address equality and diversity issues.

· To secure an agreed design solution for the Service which would create a national identity and reflect the changing role of firefighters.

· To produce specifications for a `wardrobe' of clothing that meet the needs of the F&RS whilst encompassing health and safety, religious and specific male and female clothing requirements.

The categories of clothing that will be included are:

· Operational Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

· Station/Day wear

· Corporate wear (not applicable to HFRS)

· Ceremonial wear (Undress)

· Sports wear

The project is being delivered by FiReBuy

· In collaboration with all the UK F&RS and as an example:-

- A National Project Board has been set up to oversee the ICP comprising representatives from each of the English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Regions and the Fire Service College (FSC).

- A number of F&RSs are involved in key activities, eg, evaluation of bids, garment trials and consultation.

- The day to day management of the project being undertaken by a small project team and supported by external legal, commercial and technical consultants.

The confirmed benefits for the F&RS are :

· Securing a national identity - clearer and easier recognition for F&RS staff when not wearing PPE.

· Providing standardised kit available to all firefighters.

· Providing clothing to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce.

· Providing PPE and other clothing that is fit for purpose to meet the enhanced role of the F&RS.

· Establishing one main or co-ordinating service provider - one point of contact.

· Delivery of a co-ordinated approach to research, development and procurement of uniform removing duplication of effort and activities.

· Addressing many of the recommendations of the Audit Commission's study `A Uniform Approach' for securing efficiency savings through greater collaboration and increased purchasing power.

- 2 -

· Flexible PPE contract offering several options:-

- A fully managed contract

- Purchase only

- A lease option

Current Status

· Design Evaluation now complete April / May 2005

· Invitation to Tender (ITN1) now complete

· Consortia Bidders now short listed to 4

Future Time-scales

· Evaluation of PPE will take place first half of 2006 at Fire Service College (Morton).

· Invitation to Tender (ITN2), then to be considered to decide on Single Service provider or to be contracted by lots.

· Contracts or contract awarded end of 2006.

Risks / Issues / Concerns

· Market in some confusion on how contract will be awarded and issues as to:

- Competition, restrictions on future competition and R& D over long term.

- Monopolies being promoted by nature of agreements.

- Size of contract and statement that winning contractors will need to sub-contract 60% to other organisations (i.e. competitors).

- Implications on monopolies as contract for 15 years?

- Patented products, information being shared to allow sub-contracting.

- Some brigades, through previous evaluation, have already evaluated some equipment out of their Service, will they then be forced to accept in future?

- In general a lot of issues that are being voiced by various services and the suppliers within the consortia and other sub-tier suppliers.

- Size of contracts and ability of any one provider to manage service adequately.

Risks / Issues for HFRS

· The incorporation of a fully managed clothing contract if applicable into the current culture and working practices of HFRS.

· Requirements of a qualified contracts compliance Officer to oversee Contract / Contracts.

· Resource / capacity within current Supplies / Procurement department to maintain current levels of operational effectiveness.

· No assessment as to whether contracts will be better managed and priced compared to current HFRS activity in its procured only operations (other than Fire kit that is on a part managed contract).

Further information can be found by contacting Mr Steve Taylor, Project Manager on 020 7587 6924 or by e-mail [email protected]

At present no web site exists for the ICP.

Please be aware that this document was produced on the 21^st November 2005 and some current decisions are being made that make this report fluid in its format.