§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the value of the contract recently awarded to the Army Base Repair Organisation; which other companies bid for this contract; what is the lifespan of the contract; if the contract was for a fixed price; and if he will make a statement. [127177]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO) has recently been awarded a contract for the refurbishment of the generator sets used to power the UK Army's Digital Trunk Communications System (Ptarmigan). The work is designed to extend the life of the generators and covers up to 158 generator sets. Six other companies submitted bids for the work: BAe Defence Systems, G&M Power Plant Ltd., Hunting Engineering Ltd., Vickers Specialist Engines, Dowding & Mills (North Eastern) Ltd. and Marconi Power & Control Systems Ltd. The contract was awarded on a firm price (ie non-variable) basis and the work is expected to take some six months to complete. Details of the contract value are commercial-in-confidence and are withheld under Exemption 14 of the Code of Practice, which relates to information given in confidence.