Personal Protective Equipment and Respiratory Protective Equipment 2026

LOT 1 - PPE (PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT), WORKWEAR, VENDING MACHINES and ACCESSORIES

Est Annual Spend £1.7m

PPE

• All PPE must be UKCA/CE marked and meet all relevant EN standards.
• Suitable for harsh water utility environments (wet, corrosive, confined spaces).
• Inclusive size ranges for all genders, maternity, and culturally appropriate requirements.
• Compatibility when used together (e.g., hard hats, visors, ear defenders).

Applicable standards (not exhaustive):

• EN 340 (General)
• EN 397 / EN 812 / EN 50365 (Head protection).
• EN 166, EN 170/171, EN 169 (Eye protection)
• EN 352 (Hearing protection)
• EN 388 / EN 374 (Hand protection)
• EN ISO 20345 (Footwear) S3 minimum, with antistatic/ESD options for ATEX environments.
• Hi-vis, chemical suits, prescription eyewear as applicable.
• Touchscreen compatible hand protection where safe.
• UV/polarised/tinted eye protection options
• Samples and trials to be provided on request.
• Lightweight footwear options where specified.
• Safety trainers to be an available option in footwear
• Women's and unisex sizing must account for women's anatomical fit and last.
• Foot fitting services must be available for all safety boot requirements
• Technical/safety data sheets must be easily accessible for all footwear items.
• Full provision, including prescription eyewear.
• Prescription safety eyewear to be managed via the suppliers chosen Opticians workflow
• Full range hearing protection including earmuffs and ear plugs.
• Full range of hand protection including thermal, cut resistant, waterproof, chemical resistant, and electricians' gloves.
• Full range from bump caps to hard hats and thermal hats in head protection range.
• STW/HDSD logo application required on specified items.
• Include (not limited to) gas suits, chemical coveralls/boilersuits, storage solutions, knee protection, ICE products, and nonslip ice grabbers.
• All items must be standards compliant, new, and defect free.
• Hi-Vis branding placement: left breast position (LBP) and "Water" back print for jackets. Dual language options must be available for HD
• Where brand specific garments are mandated, supply those; where proposing alternatives, match on fit/size.
• For workwear Navy garments and formal shirts (white, navy, pale blue) for men and women.
• Durable, chemical and moisture resistant; must maintain branding integrity.
• EN 343 waterproof/breathable performance for relevant garments.
• Flame-retardant garments to EN ISO 11612
• Sustainable material options encouraged

Nonbranded items: supply within agreed lead times; offer an alternative if unavailable.

Branded items: supply within agreed lead times; maintain safety stock contingency to avoid stock risks in accordance with operational guidelines.

Arc Flash and Flame-Resistant Clothing

• Must comply with IEC 614822 and EN ISO 11612
• Clear arc rating labelling; minimum 50 launder cycles without degrading performance.
• Full head-to-toe range required (summer and winter options)
• Unlimited wash cycle garments desirable.
• Gender and bespoke fit available to all employees.

Vending Machine Requirements

There are currently 6 active vending machines across the business (subject to change based on use, business needs, and demand). The requirement may increase or decrease during the contract term. Machines may be requested in any of the regions listed in Appendix A. The supplier is solely responsible for implementation, supply, servicing, and maintenance.

Current Machine locations are;

Wrexham, Leicester, Hucknall Road, Burslem, Edgbaston & Staverton.

Service Model

• Free of Charge setup/installation; weekly/monthly replenishment; retrospective consolidated monthly invoicing (goods charged on usage); supplier responsible for service, upkeep, and replacement.
• 24/7 availability where appropriate; remote monitoring; automated stock control; usage reporting.

Stock Management and Performance

• Minimum stock thresholds with zero stockouts; preventive maintenance every 6 months or as/when required; reactive maintenance within 24 hours.

Integration and Tracking

• Integration with STW asset systems; automated replenishment triggers; user specific tracking via existing employee ID cards.

Hardware

• Machine types may include carousel or locker; power/connectivity suitable for remote sites.

LOT 2 - RPE (RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT)

Est Annual Spend £400k

Technical RPE Specifications

• FFP3 masks (valved and non-valved).
• Positive Pressure SCBA for confined space entry.
• Applicable Standards:
• EN 149 - Disposable RPE
• EN 140 - Half masks
• EN 136 - Full face masks
• EN 137 / EN 1146 - SCBA
• EN 143 / EN 14387 - Filters
• EN 12941 / EN 12942 - Powered RPE

Power Unit Spec

• Belt mounted (EN 12941 TH3)
• AFP40
• 180-240 Litres per minute of air flow
• 5 Different air speed settings
• 8 Hour battery
• IP 54
• Visual, Audible and Vibration Full Filter Alarm
• Visual, Audible and Vibration Missing Filter Alarm
• EN 12941 TH3

Headtop Unit Spec

• Certified to use with Hard hat
• Certified to use with Ear Defenders
• EN 12941 TH3
• AFP40
• EN 166 1 BT 3 4 5 9 KN
• K - Anti-scratch
• N - Anti-mist

RPE Supplier Responsibilities

• Face fit testing (Fit2Fit accredited) for all RPE users with full, auditable records.
• Maintenance scheduling and statutory servicing of BA sets in line with COSHH.
• Training on use, care, and storage of RPE.

Specialist Support Requirements

Provision of solutions for all requirements where RPE is required, and including support for, but not limited to:

• Confined spaces
• Cutting asbestos
• Working on sewage pipes, manholes and tunnels