Vol. 517 No. 2
74 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 112 of 8 December 1999, 107 of 14 December 1999 and 134 of 17 February 2000, the dates and location of invitations to tender for the contracts concerned; the number of tender applications received to include dates of receipt, the companies involved and the value of each tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9472/00]
The following information has been provided by the Government Supplies Agency which held a competition on behalf of my Department for the supply of combat suits in disruptive pattern material.
The competition was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union and in the national newspapers and tender documents were available to interested suppliers from July 1998. The deadline for the receipt of tenders for the competition was 12 noon on 1 September 1998. In compliance with the agency's standard procedure all tenders were opened at the same time after 12 noon on that date.
75 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 112 of 8 December 1999, 107 of 14 December 1999 and 134 of 17 February 2000, the specifications required by his Department for the supply of combat suits in disruptive pattern material; if the specifications were fully complied with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9473/00]
Following the holding of a tender competition, contracts for the supply of combat suits in disruptive pattern material were placed by the Government Supplies Agency on behalf of my Department. The specification which was issued by the agency in connection with the competition is a lengthy technical document and I will arrange to have a copy of it forwarded to the Deputy very shortly.
The samples provided by the successful tenderers complied in all respects with the specification.
76 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the details of any contracts placed recently or soon to be placed by the Government Supplies Agency on behalf of his Department for the supply of holdalls or bags in disruptive pattern or any other matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9474/00]
Holdalls or bags have not been ordered in disruptive pattern material.
Details of orders for kit-bags placed in 1998 and 1999 by the Government Supplies Agency on behalf of my Department are as follows: 1998: 1,100 small and 10,000 large bags; 1999: 4,000 small and 2,100 large bags. Further requirements for these items may arise during the current year.
77 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the number of old combat uniforms he expects to recover from Permanent Defence Force personnel on issue of the new disruptive pattern combat suits; the plans, if any, for these on recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9475/00]
The introduction of DPM – disruptive pattern material – field dress has resulted in the withdrawal of old combat uniforms from army personnel. This process is ongoing and it is anticipated that approximately 10,000 old uniforms could be returned to stores. In keeping with best practice and taking into account health and safety regulations, items of uniform found to be unserviceable will be disposed of. The further use of items retained as serviceable will be considered.
