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See other news storiesCall for expressions of interest in providing building services for engineering and building test house
21 February 2008
The Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB) is an organisation of some 250 staff undertaking science and technology services for the Home Office. The organisation is located on two sites, one in Langhurst near Horsham, Sussex with about one third of the staff, the other at St. Albans Hertfordshire.
The test house regularly conducts assessment and evaluation of building components, methods of construction and items of security furniture and security systems.
The government departments are represented by a wide range of customers who are responsible for overseeing the assessment and evaluation programme.
The assessment and evaluation is carried out by a team of specialist technicians, and any physical testing is carried out by suitably trained and experienced personnel.
The assessment, evaluation and physical testing may be carried out in accordance with a recognised standard, although other methods may be applied.
Nature of work proposed and deliverables
HOSDB require a company to provide a Main Test Support Team (MTST) on an ‘as and when required’ basis. This team will be responsible for the installation of components, or the construction of elements of building construction which would be the subject of the test programme.
All components, security furniture and items required for inclusion in the element of building construction will be supplied by the organiser.
The MTST will consist of two tradesmen and two back up tradesmen, primarily highly skilled in a very wide range of building services and skills including:
- Carpentry for installation of equipment;
- Joinery work for security products i.e. windows doors, locks etc;
- Minor building brickwork on projects;
- Use of building work specialist equipment ( i.e. petrol disc cutters concrete breakers;
- Plastering and rendering of walls for testing purposes;
- Shuttering work for casting concrete panels in situ.;
- Emergency welding of damaged units during testing programme;
- Minor engineering work;
- Construction and installation of security units;
- Labouring and lifting of test products during and after installation.
The successful contractor will need to be able cover all of the trades above, and to have all the relevant qualifications suitable for their trade.
All work to be to an acceptable standard to the organiser.
At present the assessment and evaluation programme takes place four times a year, but additional programmes could be added and this would be subject to the sponsor’s demands and other particular requirements.
Each assessment and evaluation programme usually occurs over a three-day period, but it is not uncommon for the actual programme to extend to a fourth day. However, test team and contract staff may be required on site for a full five day period.
The Authority will provide the contractor with adequate notice should the service of the MTST be required.
All four tradesmen nominated by the Contractor will be required to submit to security clearance to a level SC (Secret). This means that each tradesman will be required to complete a security questionnaire.
Timetable
The guideline timetable for this proposed tender is as follows:
| Task | By date |
| Closing date for expressions of interest | 7 March 2008 |
| Issue of invitation to tender | 28 March 2008 |
| Closing date for tender responses | 18 April 2008 |
| Evaluation of responses | 25 April 2008 |
| Contract award | 9 May 2008 |
How to respond
To express your interest in being considered as a potential supplier for this exercise, please send a summary or indication of:
- Information on previous building projects;
- Ability to attend the site at short notice;
- The range of level of experience and knowledge of each of the skills listed in the specification.
By email to: david.spence2@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk by 5.00pm on Friday 7 March 2008
