707549452 - Obsolescence Rectification and Re-Design of Transportable Manned Compression Chambers (TMCC) with In Service Support

Transportable Manned Compression Chambers (TMCC) are a transportable therapeutic compression chamber used for medically treating divers with decompression illnesses. There are two variants of this design – ship-fits and containerised. Ship-fits are designed to be secured to the weather deck of a ship, mounted and secured on shock mounts. The containerised version is identical in operation, apart from it is fitted within an ISO container and has additional systems, e.g., air conditioning.

The TMCCs were procured in the late 1990s and are outfitted with both an electronic atmospheric control system and an emergency manually operated built in breathing system. The electronics and systems fitted for Atmospheric Control / Breathing System (AC/BS) and analysing the chamber’s gas contents have become obsolete. This obsolescence has impacted the Authority’s ability to refurbish and repair the equipment.

To address the obsolescence issue, Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Salvage and Maritime Organisation (SALMO) Delivery Team (DT) is considering retrofitting (including the design and installation) the current fleet of TMCCs with modern Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) systems. The Authority’s definition of retrofitting is to identify suitable systems and design the integration / installation of equipment to the current fleet of TMCCs. This shall include, but not be limited to, systems for automated atmospheric control, breathing systems, gas monitoring and chamber dive logging. This contract will also aim to modernise auxiliary equipment fitted; examples of these items would be internal lighting, telephone system and air conditioning units.

In addition to the obsolescence rectification, there is a requirement to provide continual in-service support for a period of approximately 5 years. This shall provide the Authority with technical assistance, management and provisioning of spares / repairs / refurbishments, project management and support to meetings.

It is intended that there will be an option within the contract to review the ship-fit TMCCs and determine if they can fitted into or within a transportable ISO container. Additional information: This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is open to responses from companies that have suitable experience in the production / manufacturing of Therapeutic Compression Chambers used for medical treatment of divers with a capability to supply automated gas monitoring and chamber control systems.

This PIN has been issued to better understand the market and the Authority is inviting interested parties to register their interest by contacting desshipscomrcl-salmo-multiuser@mod.gov.uk. Please respond to this PIN by 31st May 2023.

This PIN is not a means to seek formal expressions of interest; that opportunity may become available when the SALMO DT has an improved understanding of the market.

Tentative dates to note (subject to change):

Issue of Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ): 09 June 2023

Equipment Familiarisation Days: 17 – 28 July 2023

Issue of Invitation to Tender (ITT): 31 August 2023

Contract Award: 30 November 2023