The Purchase of 10 Incident Command Units

The Environment Agency (EA) as part of DEFRA works to create better places for people and wildlife, and support sustainable development. EA are responsible for regulating major industry and waste, treatment of contaminated land, water quality and resources, fisheries, inland river, estuary and harbouring navigations and conservation and ecology. The EA are also responsible for managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and the sea.<br/><br/>In order to facilitate and enable agency objectives there is a need for Incident Command Units. This request for information seeks expert opinion and advice from suppliers about the way in which ICU’s could be delivered to EA in future, in a way that ensures value for money, recognition of the different group needs and market leading sustainability solutions, whilst maintaining the highest level of service for EA users.<br/><br/>EA currently has a number of ICUs that range in ages from 2 to 10 years old. Our current ICUs are diesel engine vehicles (Mercedes Sprinter) that have a specifically outfitted interiors to suit our needs. They have the ability to run all the interior equipment either on the engine, or via electricity by being plugged in to an external output or for a short period of time on internal batteries.<br/><br/>The ICUs role is to act as a base during incidents where staff can work and remain in contact, all ICUs are outfitted with communications equipment so that we can always be in touch with Incident rooms etc. There is room inside the Units for a number of people to work, should they need to. They are also outfitted with screens internally and externally to aid with working together and working with the public. The ICUs are also often used at public and PR events.<br/><br/>EA wishes to explore options for the provision of 2 x ICUs and would like to expand the market knowledge to feed into the specification that is currently in draft. EA are looking at two options but are open to other ideas. After the successful procurement of the initial 2 x ICUs we will be looking to replace the rest of our fleet up to possible total of 8.<br/><br/>Defra Group is looking for to explore the market and in particular looking for innovation and sustainable options to meet the requirements of the ICUs and support a wide variety of environments and conditions. Interested parties should email the contact provided to register interest and receive the full market engagement details. This is a market engagement exercise only. Any future intentions to tender will be published in the usual way.<br/>To request this full information & questions, please email angelica.ho@defra.gov.uk. <br/><br/>This PIN was published on the 9th April 2024 and we are looking for question returns to assess by the 10th May 2024.