Request for Information - Test facilities for assessment of Police irritants sprays

The Authority seeks 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 Authority may wish to launch.

No information contained in this RFI, or in any communication made between the Authority and any Potential Provider in connection with this RFI, shall be relied upon as constituting a contract, agreement, or representation that any procurement or contract may result from this RFI. Under no circumstances shall the Authority incur any liability in respect of this RFI or any supporting documentation.

The Home Office publishes and maintains a Standard for Police Chemical Irritant Sprays: CS and PAVA. Testing, in accordance with this standard, is currently conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

The testing requirements are set out in Section 5 of the standard, which is available online at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/337910/standard-police-irritant-sprays-2314.pdf

The Authority is considering options for external test facilities able to conduct testing according to Section 5 of the Standard. The Authority will retain the responsibility for checking requirements detailed in all other sections of the Standard, except for Section 5.

The Authority is issuing this Request for Information gauge the interest and to understand the capabilities in relation to undertaking this work.