Submarine Escape Survival Equipment (SESE)

Submarine Escape Survival Equipment (SESE) is a whole-body suit comprising a one-size fits all, inner terminal liner known as a Thermal Protection Aid (TPA) and a single person life raft all contained in a sealed system within a protective valise. It allows submarine staff to evacuate from a disabled submerged submarine, without assistance, in a safe and controlled manner. The intention of the equipment is to keep the escapee dry and protected from the environment during ascent, and to provide buoyancy, freeboard and terminal insulation at the surface. The SESE shall have a life of 10 years accompanied by an all-inclusive warranty. The value of this procurement is between approximately £10M to £15M. Quantity or scope: Submarine Escape Survival Equipment (SESE) is a whole-body suit comprising a one-size fits all, inner terminal liner known as a Thermal Protection Aid (TPA) and a single person life raft all contained in a sealed system within a protective valise. It allows submarine staff to evacuate from a disabled submerged submarine, without assistance, in a safe and controlled manner. The intention of the equipment is to keep the escapee dry and protected from the environment during ascent, and to provide buoyancy, freeboard and terminal insulation at the surface. The SESE shall have a life of 10 years accompanied by an all-inclusive warranty. The value of this procurement is between approximately £10M to £15M.

The contract duration will be for 5 years where a procurement of approx. Up to 4500 SESE will be required to meet the following standard:

• Depths of up to 198 metres with an appropriate ascent speed.
• Surface survival time of 72 hours;
• Materials used in the manufacture of SESE must be compliant with the Submarine Material Toxicity Database;
• Stored in an air temperature range of -1C to +65C without degradation;
• Must be capable of being donned within 3 minutes 15 seconds;
• Must be capable of being stored in a humid environment.
• The SESE's air inlet valve must allow connection to current Royal Navy Hood Inflation System;
• Must retain buoyancy on surface and have a method of oral inflation and;
• Push fit connector must be able to withstand a force of 1000N prior to separate from the hose.

In addition to the above the Authority requires approximately 60 training variant SESE which shall include support throughout the life of the contract.

Any successful potential providers will be expected to produce prototypes of the SESE during an agreed timescale at contract award. Testing of prototypes will be undertaken by the Authority’s identified independent testing facility.

Potential providers must be able to provide independent verification/certification of their testing facilities during the procurement process.

In addition the Authority may require the ability to procure further SESE’s on an ad-hoc basis and the provision of individually sized variants in small quantities.