Fire Service Fleet Managers’ Conference 31st May 2006 Terry Brewer Chief Executive Officer Fire Engineering and Procurement for a Risk Based Future

Agenda Firebuy update Funding position Why National Procurement Role of Firebuy with Regions Best Value Approach to risk

Firebuy update NPS –Launched November 2005 Firebuy –Non-Departmental Public Body and company Limited by Guarantee Commenced 1 April 2006 Chair & 6 Directors – Open competition Ex-officio Directors – –CFOA – CFO Paul Fuller –LGA – Cllr Les Byrom –LFEPA – Anne Gallop

Firebuy Update- Board Composition Chair Liz Barron Directors: George Herbert (vice Chair) Elizabeth Bennett Martin Kitchen Robert Light David Rowe Vacancy – Industry Director

Firebuy – Structure Firebuy Board Firebuy Management Team Technical Services Major Projects Vehicles & Operational Response National Procurement Board FIRESA

Funding Position 2005/06 – ODPM Grant to LFEPA 2006/07 – DCLG Grant to Firebuy 2007/08 – DCLG Grant to Firebuy 2008/09 and beyond –Funding formula to be agreed –Firebuy Task & Finish Group –Consultation by DCLG

Why National Procurement? Maximise purchasing power Inter-operability & standardisation Reduce training material Share reserves - equipment compatibility may reduce reserves & equipment Market development Encourage innovation

Why National Procurement? (cont’d) Avoid reinventing the wheel Become a strategic fire service function Improving standards Potential savings Improve service delivery

What’s in it for Industry? FRS will be a better customer Able to focus R&D on FRS requirements Clarity as to what FRS wants Ability to innovate Regular briefing days Reductions in tendering costs Avoid providing lots of loan equipment

Who would do what?

National Procurement Key Workstreams Vehicles Respiratory Protection Project PPE and clothing (Integrated Clothing Project) Technical Services

National Procurement Appliances Timetable OJEU Advert17 May 2006 PQQ return date30 June 2006 Selection of successful candidates31 July 2006 Invitation to tender4 August 2006 Tender Clarification day30 August 2006 Final written requests for clarification16 October 2006 Return of ITTs10 November 2006 Clarifications / clarification meetingNov / Dec 2006 Recommendation / award decisionJan 2007 Contract executionFeb 2007 Timetable is indicative and subject to change

Vehicles and Equipment Timetable Let national framework for light and other FRS vehicles by December 2007 Develop an outline specification for a fully managed fire vehicle service by December 2007 Establish national contracts for key items of operational equipment by April 2008 Let a framework arrangement for aerial and other specialist appliances by December 2008

National Procurement Other Projects Bluelight Database Bluelight eTendering Fireground Radios Smoke Alarms Insurance (Alternative Risk Transfer) Risk programme Manual Handling Disposal Services Agency

Role with Regions We do and will work with: –Regional Management Boards –Regional Procurement Boards –National Procurement Board

Best Value FRAs will have deemed to have met Best Value obligations when procuring through Firebuy Ltd

Risk What risks are there? Operational risks Health and safety risks Project risks Commercial risks

Operational Risks Identified through IRMPs Ensure equipment procured is appropriate to meet operational risks identified If have a need it will be met If have a want may not be

Health and safety risks European and British standards Ensure thorough risk assessment carried out Moving toward a national risk assessment process Need to ensure that products procured have addressed risks identified Extensive trials

Project risks Important that risks to particular projects are identified and mitigated PRINCE2 and Gateway reviews Project risk registers

Commercial risks Risk transfer Area not very well understood by FRS Risk is best placed with the person who can best manage it e.g. Legislation – FRS specific / non- specific Valuing risk

Summary National Procurement Strategy now in place Firebuy established from 1 April 2006 National projects underway Firebuy and National Procurement can lift the burden from FRAs Risk – good management of risk essential