§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were used in awarding the contract for combat and operational clothing DC4BESL/1002. [184361]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 15 July 2004]: Under European Union Public Procurement Regulations we may only consider factors directly relevant to the nature of the items or services to be supplied in order to apply the principles of Most Economically Advantageous Tender.
The published award criteria were Technical Compliance, Cost of Acquisition, Soft Issues (to determine partnering capability), and Delivery. This is in accordance with the Public Procurement Regulations.
§ Mr. Lindsay HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what experience of supplying battledresses the winner of the contract for combat and operational clothing DC4BESL/1002 has. [184362]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 15 July 2004]: The selected contractor has not previously supplied Combat Soldier (CS) 95, the main combat ensemble worn by the United Kingdom Armed Forces, however, they have supplied RN Improved Action Working Dress, Anti-Flash Clothing and elements of the Armoured Fighting Vehicle ensemble over a number of years, some of which are more complex and technically difficult to manufacture than CS 95 items. This contract was let to a prime contractor who is required to supply a range of nearly 200 products, including combat clothing, barrack/workwear and sportswear and the specific combat clothing element comprises only 20 different products.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials from his Department visited China before awarding the contract for combat and operational clothing DC4BESL/1002. [184349]
§ Mr. IngramNo officials have visited China in respect of this contract. It is not normal MOD practice to visit sub-contractors in advance of an award unless a significant risk has been identified during the assessment phase and this was not the case with this contract.