Multi-level, Mass Fatalities Body Storage capability

Request for Information - Multi-level, Mass Fatalities Body Storage capability

The Authorities seek to determine market potential and consider market views on the requirements with a view to ensure such views are considered for any potential procurement that the Authorities may wish to launch.

In the event of an incident resulting in a large number of fatalities, it is feasible that it would overwhelm the usual body storage capacity at the relevant local authority. In such a situation, a relevant authority may call upon the body storage capacity of neighbouring authorities under existing mutual aid arrangements.

In addition, the authority may also draw upon the Home Office-provided 'mass fatalities' capability. These are steel ISO body storage units, provided on a regional basis across the country (covering the nine regions of England, plus Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) with specified local authorities being responsible for the oversight of these units within their region. There are There are approximately 45 such units, with each region or devolved administration being allocated between 3 or 4 units each. With a body storage capacity of 16 persons per unit (expandable to 20), this equates to a total body storage capacity of approximately 576 persons in England (expandable to 720). In the devolved administrations, the body storage capacity is 64 person (expandable to 80). Thus, although the mass fatalities body storage capability is intended to be available nationally, it is regionally delivered. Hence it is termed 'Regional Emergency Mortuary Arrangements' (REMA).

However, as the body storage units are now over ten years old, with some units no longer functional and others needing repair, the mass fatalities capability is currently patchy across the country - with some regions having access to a largely functional and fit-for-purpose capability, and other regions discounting the REMA capability altogether and having to make their own alternative arrangements. This is clearly unsatisfactory. Consequently. Home Office are looking to replace the current REMA capability with a bold new alternative.

Additional information:

The Contracting Authority is issuing this Notice as a Request for Information (RFI) to gather market intelligence/information, to gain a better understanding of the capacity and appetite of the market.

It is important to note that this PIN/RFI is not a call for competition and as such potential providers will need to express an interest in any future tender opportunity once a contract notice is published in Find a Tender Service and on Contracts Finder.

It should be noted that this PIN/RFI invites individuals and organisations to express an interest in this RFI exercise only, and it is NOT a pre-qualification questionnaire, and is NOT part of any pre-qualification or selection process.

To request access to the RFI document please email CollaborativeProcurement@homeoffice.gov.uk and request the RFI document related to Mass Fatalities Body Storage capability. The document will then be sent for completion and should be returned to the same email address before the deadline. Responses are required as soon as possible to inform next steps, but the RFI will remain open until 12PM on 11/09/23 Interested parties should not make direct contact with policy officials, all enquires/communication should only via the approved communication channel.