Testing of Controlled Door Closing Devices to Verify Compliance with Applicable Standards

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) expects to publish a contract opportunity relating to its requirement for the provision of testing services related to controlled door closing devices.

DBT are requesting Expressions of Interest ("EOI") pertaining to this requirement. Please e-mail: [email protected] by 31st May 2024 in order to register your interest.

At this stage, DBT wishes to understand the size and capability of the supply market. Information that it gathers will be used to refine requirements to ensure they are fit for suppliers to deliver against. Meetings will also be held directly with interested participants at a future date, subject to capacity.

The full specification shall be provided with the tender documents, but it is expected to incorporate the testing of a selection of door closers to verify their performance against the tests specified in the designated standard – BS EN 1154:1997. The aims of testing are:

• To perform a series of screen tests on products on the UK market to verify their efficacy against the requirements set out in BS EN 1154:1997.
• To gather data on this product sector, which will feed into the wider OPSS Construction Products planning.

The successful supplier will be expected to provide all required testing, which includes the full resistance to fire classification as per Annex A – BS EN 1154 (and the relevant normative references BS EN 1634-1 and BS EN 1634-3) of the products as well as provide any staff/sub-contractors required for testing to be performed. It is anticipated that the contract shall be for a period of approximately 24 months with the option for the addition of a further 12-month period to accommodate the completion of testing activity. The requirement has an estimated total value of £700,000 excluding VAT and this value includes any available contract option(s). It should be noted that DBT makes no commitment to procure these services and may decide to not progress this any further following this engagement with the market. DBT reserves the right to change any information contained within the Early Engagement documentation at any time, and Potential Suppliers rely upon any information provided entirely at their own risk. Background The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is part of The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and was created in January 2018 to deliver consumer protection and to support business confidence, productivity, and growth. OPSS regulate a wide range of products with a focus on their safety and integrity. OPSS works with local, national, and international regulators, with consumer representatives and with businesses to deliver effective protections and to support compliance. OPSS’ mission is to be a trusted product regulator for the UK. This means protecting people and places, enabling business to thrive and empowering consumers to make good choices. OPSS will be a leader of good regulatory practice and a champion of local regulation. OPSS is:

• the national regulator for all consumer products, except for vehicles, medicines, and food.
• the national regulator for legal metrology, ensuring weighing and measuring instruments are accurate and reliable.
• the National Regulator for Construction Products (NRCP).

Suppliers are strongly encouraged to read the text at the following link to gain a full understanding of the role of the enforcement services within Government: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-regulation-enforcement-services