First Aid Consumables, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Gases

This paper requests approval to initiate the procurement of a First Aid consumables call off contract to replace the current contract which expires in November 2017. The contract will include all first aid equipment to deliver first aid to staff and the public including defibrillators, all first aid training equipment, the pharmaceutical requirement for Met Detention and the requirement for medical gases. The contract will be for four years from December 2017 to January 2021. The total contract value will be up to £8,266,666, with the MPS element being £6,266,666.

The DMPC is asked to approve the initiation of the procurement of a First Aid consumables (including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Gases) call off contract to replace the current contract which expires in November 2017. The total contract value will be up to £8,266,666, with the MPS element being £6,266,666.

1. Introduction and background

1.1 The current contract is due to expire in November 2017. The MPS wishes to use a Framework Agreement, which will allow other blue light services to be able to access the contract. The Framework Agreement will be national and split into three lots:
• First Aid Consumables and training equipment
• Pharmaceuticals
• Compressed Medical Gases
This will allow the MPS to gain the best overall savings on the contract price by making savings from bulk purchases.

1.2 It is unlikely, that the MPS will be able to make savings on the new contract. The current contract did not allow for price increase during the term of the contract. The MPS believes prices are likely to increase in the new contract due to the effect of Brexit and the fall in sterling. This is evidenced by several MPS suppliers requesting to increase their prices.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. All employers are required by law to provide first aid equipment for their employees under the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations. The MPS also has an obligation under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to deal with immediate healthcare issues for detained people.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The total value of the contract is estimated to be £8,266,660 over four years. The final cost of the contract will not be known until the procurement process is completed. The MPS element is £6,266,600 with the spend from other blue light organisation estimated at £2,000,000. The funding for this contract will be met from devolved budgets held by Business Groups. The main budget used is the office equipment budget, which totals £3.8m per annum across the MPS.

3.2. The contract will be a call off contract and as such does not require the MPS to spend to the maximum contract price. The route market will be via an open OJEU tender.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. The recommendation can be lawfully approved in accordance with MOPAC Contract Regulations and EU/UK Procurement law.

4.2. In accordance with the MOPAC Scheme of Consent and Delegation approval is required by the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime for all MPS requests to go out to tender for contracts of £500,000 or above, and to approve contract exemptions (such as direct awards).

5. Equality Comments

5.1. There are no direct equality issues arising from this proposal.