Emergency Breathing System (EBS) and In-Service Support

1. A small Emergency Breathing System (EBS) provides a means to extend the time available for a user to remain underwater while actioning emergency egress drills from a capsized or submerged rotorcraft. Such a system is required by the MOD for aircrew to ensure that Risk to Life (RtL) is As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) and tolerable.
2. UK MOD personnel shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, be provided the means to extend time underwater so that escape from an aircraft, which has capsized or submerged as a result of an attempted controlled ditching or an uncontrolled water impact, is achievable if not constrained by external factors outside of what is expected.
3. The aim of this procurement is to:

a. Procure an EBS to BS EN 4856:2023 Category A (in the region of 1300 units).

b. Provide a through-life Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) solution for that EBS covering Training, Servicing, Maintenance and Repair.

c. Deliver improved Social Value during the term of the Contract.

4. Background

4.1. When a helicopter ditches, it commonly inverts and sinks rapidly. Even if the accident is survivable, historic data shows that approx. fifteen percent of the crew and occupants will perish. When ditching in water the inability to breath-hold long enough to make an escape from the rapidly sinking, flooded, inverted helicopter represents a major hazard. This hazard increases in cold water because, in this situation, maximum breath-hold time can be just a few seconds. EBS provide means to extend the time available for users to remain submerged under water whilst actioning emergency egress drills from a submerged Air System.

5. The Requirement

5.1. The Single Statement of Need (SSON), for an emergency breathing system is: UK MOD personnel shall, as far as is reasonably practicable, be provided the means to extend time underwater so that escape from an aircraft, which has capsized or submerged as a result of an attempted controlled ditching or an uncontrolled water impact, is achievable if not constrained by external factors outside of what is expected.

5.2. Aim of the procurement is to:

1. Procure an Emergency Breathing System (EBS) to BSEN 4856: 2023 and to reduce Risk to Life (RtL) to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP);
2. Create a contract with the same supplier which provides a through-life procurement and support solution to improve repairs and spares availability, reduce delivery times and minimise the future contract management burden for The Authority: and
3. Maintain or reduce the overall cost of ownership through life.

5.3. The procurement has three major outcomes required from the same supplier and contract as follows:

1. One off bulk procurement and delivery to shelf of new compliant EBS units to be delivered in FY 24/25. This will be in the region of 1,300 units depending on budget and final price.
2. To create a through-life contract which supports the following elements:

i. Repair of agreed components by the OEM. e.g., mouthpiece and regulator and bottle regulator;

ii. Provision of simple repair packs for second line to use;

iii. Provision of parts to second line as required;

iv. EBS equipment unit serviced by the OEM;

v. Design and deliver 10 "Train the trainer" courses for 5 x maintainer instructors and 5 x user instructors;

vi. Design and support the set-up, evaluation, support and delivery of test articles;

vii. Creation of a support help desk/portal to manage and resolve satisfactorily:

a. Technical enquires or issues;

b. Spares identification;

c. New unit, spares, repairs or servicing (if required) enquires and order placement

d. Delivery times on new orders or work in progress;

e. Training issues and documentation;

f. Safety issues and documentation; and

g. ILS issues and documentation.

To deliver improved Social Value during the term of the Contract.