Provision of Helium BiPS · UK public procurement notice

CPV: For laboratory use · Gas cylinders

Procedure method

Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition

Legal basis

CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)

Procurement category

Goods

Notice status

Awarded without competition

Procurement threshold

Unspecified in notice

Regulatory regime

Standard

Commercial structure

Stand-alone contract (no framework)

Competition type

Direct award (no call for competition)

GPA / WTO covered

Yes (GPA)

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

13 Aug 2024, 12:05 BST

Last source update

13 Aug 2024, 12:05 BST

Authority reference

DOJ DAC 10/24

FTS notice number

2024/S 000-025583

Classification (CPV)

For laboratory useGas cylinders

Delivery area

Northern Ireland (UKN0F)

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-048a47 Find a Tender

Why no open competition

The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights

Published justification

FSNI tested the market for Helium with BIPS in 2013 when they tendered for the Supply & Delivery of Gases, this product had to be removed from the tender specification as no other supplier was permitted to supply Helium BIPS which only the appointed contractor can supply. Horizon scanning has continued since then to understand whether there may be an alternative in provision that could provide the same level of purity required and recent market sounding has confirmed that there remains no alternative to the patented product offered by the appointed contractor. BIPS cylinders are exclusive to the appointed contractor, who developed and own the Built In Purification System. The appointed contractor have this system patented, therefore no other supplier can offer the same or similar products in UK or Ireland. Further research (2023/24) in the market has confirmed that the appointed contractor remains the only provider capable of providing high purity helium.

Publisher note: Please note that information relating to contractors engaged by the Northern Ireland Department of Justice,and associated bodies, is not published in any publicly accessible forum or publication. This is to protect such contractors, whose security and safety could be threatened by dissident terrorist organisations still active in Northern Ireland if their details became known. This is consistent with Regulation 50(6)(a). The estimated contract value is a broad estimate only and includes additional quantum for unforeseen demand and to future proof. There is no guarantee of any level of business under this contract. The estimate is not deemed to be a condition of contract nor a guarantee of minimum demand or uptake. No compensation will be payable to a contractor should the actual demand be less than that stated.

• As per Regulation 50(6)(a) - information withheld for security reasonsAwarded supplierGB-COH: As per Regulation 50(6)(a) - information withheld for security reasons As per Regulation 50(6)(a) - information withheld for security reasons, UK

No document links were published on the notice.