Introduction

CFA invites suitably experienced and capable Invitees to submit a response to this Expression of Interest (EOI) for Fire Equipment Maintenance (FEM) Services.

Purpose

The purpose of this EOI is to test the availability and capability of potential Invitees (being the individual or Company submitting the EOI) to undertake the services as set out in this document. For the purposes of this EOI, the individual or Company is referred to as the Invitee.

Where the Invitee demonstrates sufficient understanding, experience, and capability to deliver the proposed services, that Invitee may subsequently be invited to lodge an Offer via a Select Request for Tender (RFT). CFA may, in its absolute discretion and sole judgement, accept or decline any EOI and consequently the offering of any Select RFT to any Invitee. Lodgement of an EOI does not result in any contract, commitment or obligation being established from either party.

The EOI:

1. Sets out CFA’s requirements including an overview of the specifications of the services, supply timing and other considerations
2. Invites Invitees to detail their experience and capability in supplying the required services
3. Sets out CFA’s provisional contract terms and conditions; and
4. Allows the Invitee to detail their supporting organisational structure.

This EOI does not require any pricing information. If shortlisted to participate in a Select RFT, the Invitee will provide their pricing at that stage.

Fire Equipment Maintenance Operating Model:

Fire Equipment Maintenance (FEM) is a commercial business operated and managed by CFA, where safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and fire hoses are tested and serviced for CFA’s customers.

FEM operates in the Essential Safety Measures sector where relevant building owners / occupiers (customers) are required to ensure occupants' safety in a fire or emergency. The FEM services have been a part of some CFA brigade activities since the 1950’s albeit operating under different names and business structures with many changes over the years.

FEM activity is summarised as follows:

• 270 CFA brigades are currently providing FEM services.
• FEM services are managed on a day‐to‐day basis by CFA and administered centrally from a Client Services Centre at Bendigo.
• Three field based Technical Officers provide management support and training to brigades undertaking FEM.
• FEM has more than 26,000 customers across Victoria.
• Individuals must be accredited to perform FEM servicing activities.

The FEM operating model relies on the appointment of an FEM Officer (volunteer) at the brigade to oversee and administer arrangements between CFA, the brigade, customers and where applicable, the Supplier.

Contracting Model – Suppliers are engaged through CFA and provide the services on behalf of the brigade.

• Fifty-five percent of FEM‐registered brigades use CFA‐accredited Suppliers to deliver the FEM services to brigades.
• Noting the contracting brigades deliver approximately 80% of the FEM servicing work undertaken.
• CFA engages accredited FEM Suppliers; some of these include volunteers and CFA staff involvement as employees of, or in ownership of, the Supplier business.

The services set out below are a high-level summary of the Scope of Works for FEM and sub-contracted services. A detailed Scope of Work will be developed and released as part of the Select RFT.

Sub-contracted Fire Equipment Maintenance (FEM) services:

To service Fire Equipment located at premises occupied by a customer at the direction of the relevant CFA FEM Brigade to prevent or extinguish a fire on those premises, including but not limited to:

• Air/Water fire extinguishers
• Hose Reels
• Dry Chemical extinguishers
• Empty extinguishers
• Carbon Dioxide extinguishers
• Vaporising liquid extinguishers
• Fluorine-free foam extinguishers
• Lengths of fire hose
• Fire blankets.
• Fire pumps and Pump sets
• Hydrants
• Exit and Emergency Lighting
• Sprinkler Systems
• Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus (VESDA)
• Fire detection and alarms
• Emergency Warning and Intercommunication System (EWIS)
• Occupant Warning System (OWS)
• Smoke Alarm testing and service (for rental properties)
• Fire doors
• Other equipment identified in the CFA FEM Price List (to be provided at RFT stage)

To facilitate FEM, on behalf of CFA, at the direction of the relevant CFA FEM Brigade within the Brigade Area, and such other places as are necessary, including:

• inspection of Fire Equipment at premises occupied by a customer as required by a Certificate of Service (COS) or Field Generated Certificate of Service (FGCOS) provided to the Supplier by the CFA FEM Brigade.
• certification that Fire Equipment is fit for service, or not fit for service, in accordance with the Relevant Standards.
• maintenance of Fire Equipment at premises occupied by a customer; and
• removal and installation of Fire Equipment from or to premises occupied by a customer.

CFA want to know of any additional services the Supplier has expertise in providing, which may include service(s) proposed to be delivered in partnership with CFA to fulfil an “all of equipment” approach to servicing.