RFI: Multi-level, Mass Fatalities Body Storage capability

Description

Request for information, the Home Office has revised its strategy in accordance with feedback received from the market and seeks to understand market views/ feedback for a multi-level, Mass Fatalities Body Storage Framework capability. In the event of a major incident resulting in a large number of fatalities which could overwhelm existing body storage capacity the Home Office would provide contingency support to the requesting local authority. The Home Office seeks to replace its current capability with a more efficient operating model. This request for information will support the Home Offices strategy. Our vision We believe a multiple lot framework agreement would be best suited to meet the demands of this capability. Suppliers offering alternative solutions will bid for a place on a capability lot, this will involve suppliers maintaining access to provisions which could be called upon for deployment by the Authority. These aims will be delivered with the responses of this document in mind to ensure that we consider any novel and/or unique approach that could be utilised as a solution. The scope for this provision is predominantly England, however there is a possibility that the Devolved Administrations (i.e. Scotland) may also enrol. We will outline the configuration of our core requirement of storage for up to 700 fatalities across three phases (although the authority may adjust the planned fatalities storage of one or more phases to ensure a successful core requirement is delivered). Each phase will be put to the market as separate lots, although we would welcome multiple bids if relevant and the supplier is able to offer a viable to solution to multiple. Further information can be found on the Home Office esourcing portal: https://homeoffice.app.jaggaer.com/web/login.html PQQ547 Lot 1: Soft Shell Capability We believe a multiple lot framework agreement would be best suited to meet the demands of this capability. Suppliers offering alternative solutions will bid for a place on a capability lot, this will involve suppliers maintaining access to provisions which could be called upon for deployment by the Authority. These aims will be delivered with the responses of this document in mind to ensure that we consider any novel and/or unique approach that could be utilised as a solution. The capability since in inception has never been called upon and it is unlikely to be deployed during the length of the contract. However, having a national solution is crucial to providing contingency and ensuring the country is prepared should a national incident occur. The scope for this provision is predominantly England, however there is a possibility that the Devolved Administrations (i.e. Scotland) may enrol within the provisions agreement after completing their individual feasibility assessments. We will outline the configuration of our core requirement of storage for up to 700 fatalities across three phases (although the authority may adjust the planned fatalities storage of one or more phases to ensure a successful core requirement is delivered). Each phase will be put to the market as separate lots, although we would welcome multiple bids if relevant and the supplier is able to offer a viable to solution to multiple. Soft Shell: We plan to have a minimum call-off storage of 100 fatalities for the ‘soft shell’ portable temporary body storage (including some bariatric). Typically, these units can only refrigerate but are known to be easily transportable and should be deployable to the required location within 24 hours of being called upon (within England). We would expect these to be deployed within a building or to an incident location to support first responders. However, there may be locations outside which may require either appropriate cover or a soft-shell unit that are built into an easily erectable structure or a We would welcome information on novel approaches that may not have been outlined to ensure we capture as many appropriate solutions in our final requirements document. Hard Shell: Our second tier of the body storage capability may be similar to the existing ISO container body storage units (“hard shell”) although we welcome feedback to our RFI that provides information on a new and/or novel approach that we may not have considered. The characteristic of this phase is that units should remain versatile and robust to all weather events and may require hard standing. They are likely to be delivered to provide surge support to existing infrastructure such as a mortuary or hospital) and will not need to access difficult terrain. They should provide storage of up to 150 of the deceased (including bariatric). It should be interchangeable to allow refrigeration and freezing of the deceased and typical auxiliary equipment should be provided (I.e. ramps, generators, temperature alarms etc.). Deployment (to a location in England) should occur no later than three days after being called upon. Temporary Building: The final tier relates to an alternative building/ structure that could be housed outside independently, similar to Nightingale hospitals during the Covid-19 pandemic. They should allow both refrigeration and freezing. This building may be modular but should be less rigid than a hard-shell solution to provide flexibility and scale to a mass fatalities incident. The core requirement will be at least 450 fatalities including bariatric and/ or fragmented fatalities. We would expect the delivery and assembly to take no more than five days. Privacy screens and auxiliary equipment would also be requested. This will allow arriving first responders to easily deposit individuals while ensuring that the deceased are provided with dignity and privacy is maintained. Additional information: This Pre Market Engagement is purely exploratory and does not commit the Home Office to a procurement exercise. The Home Office’s main objectives of this activity is to ensure: - 1. Suppliers have a better understanding of what Home Office want to achieve (our vision) 2. Home Office have a better understanding about what the market might be able to deliver.