Thank you for your request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
We can confirm that Essex County Fire & Rescue Service does hold some of the information you have requested.
Questions and final response:
Question 1 –I am writing to you under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request the following information:
Copy of successful tender.
I can confirm that Essex County Fire & Rescue Service does hold this information, however the information is exempt from disclosure to you.
The exemption applicable to the information you have requested is: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/36/section/43/2020-12-31
Section 43 of the Act - Commercial Interests This exemption carries a public interest test, and I have set out below the factors
I have considered when applying the exemption:
Prejudice The prejudice to the commercial interests would relate to: Would otherwise prejudice or be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of any person (S.43(2))
Disclosure of this information could compromise the ability of a commercial entity to competitively submit bids within the tender process.
Factors in favour of disclosure
The efficiency and effectiveness of the Authority
Transparency when spending public money.
Transparency over decision making.
Informing public debate
In favour of non-disclosure
There is a public interest in ensuring that companies are able to compete fairly, in an open market along with being able to trade competitively.
Any reputational damage that disclosure might cause the public authority or third party.
Companies may be discouraged from participating in the scheme if they felt it could result in the disclosure of information relating to their general business.
Public Interest Balancing Test
Having considered the above factors, I believe the public interest is in favour of upholding this exemption.
This is our refusal notice in respect of your request.
This exemption applies to questions 1,5,6&7.
Question 2 Final pricing of successful bidder.
£16,756
Question 3 Expiry date of the awarded contract.
June 2024
Question 4 Approximate date that the tender will be reissued towards the end of the current contract period.
We will start the review of the procurement process in February 2024
Question 5 How many bidders submitted responses?
Refer to Question 1 answer.
Question 6 Name of all bidders who submitted responses.
Refer to Question 1 answer.
Question 7 Rank of all bidders who submitted responses I would prefer to receive the information electronically.
Refer to Question 1 answer.
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Incident and other data is published on our transparency site. Incident Data (essexfire.gov.uk).
Please note that the response and data released to you as part of this request will be published on our website http://transparency.essex-fire.gov.uk/.
All requests will be anonymised and no personal information including contact details will be disclosed as part of this process.
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Thank you for your interest in Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, we hope this satisfies your request.
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the right to apply for an internal review. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date of your original email and should be sent to informationgovernance@essex-fire.gov.uk or sent to our postal address: Internal Review, System & Data Information Governance Team, Kelvedon Park, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex CM8 3HB.
Please ensure you quote the above reference number in all future communications.