Walker Fire Fire Extinguisher Contract

Summary

The requester inquired about the status of the Walker Fire UK contract for fire extinguishers and potential government connections of replacement contractors. The Department of Infrastructure confirmed Walker Fire UK withdrew due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and that the next competitive tenderer was engaged, while stating they could not verify personal government connections of directors.

Key Facts

• Walker Fire UK is no longer undertaking the fire extinguisher work for the Department of Infrastructure.
• The withdrawal was caused by travel restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The Department engaged the company that held the next competitive tender under the initial procurement process.
• The Department does not have access to information regarding government connections of the new company's directors.
• The response cites Isle of Man Government Financial Regulations Section 6 regarding tender impartiality and conflict of interest.

Data Disclosed

• 2020-09-24
• 2020-10-20
• 1486269
• Section 6
• 5%
• Financial Direction A2
• FD C.9.4
• Code of Conduct for Public Servants 2009

Original Request

Dear Sirs Can the Department advise if Walker Fire UK the company that won the Department of Infrastructure Fire Extinguisher contract are still undertaking the fire extinguisher work. If this is not the case, then please advise the reason why. In relation to this , has another company took over the contract, if so who and what sort of tender exercise was undertaken , when approving another company to do the work for the Department. If another company is undertaking the work, please advise if there is or has ever been any Government connection between the directors and the Isle of Man Government in any capacity. If the original contractors have failed to undertake the contract , will the Department explain to the public why this has occurred.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team/TS/EH Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 1486269 20 October 2020

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 24 September 2020 and which states (sic) - numbered for ease of reference:

"Dear Sirs 1. Can the Department advise if Walker Fire UK the company that won the Department of Infrastructure Fire Extinguisher contract are still undertaking the fire extinguisher work. 2. If this is not the case, then please advise the reason why. 3. In relation to this , has another company took over the contract, if so who and what sort of tender exercise was undertaken , when approving another company to do the work for the Department. 4. If another company is undertaking the work, please advise if there is or has ever been any Government connection between the directors and the Isle of Man Government in any capacity. 5. If the original contractors have failed to undertake the contract , will the Department explain to the public why this has occurred."

Our response to your request is as follows: 1. The Department can confirm that Walker Fire UK are no longer undertaking the fire extinguisher work. 2. Walker Fire UK have withdrawn from the contract due to the current travel restrictions in place with the Covid-19 pandemic. 3. The Department has engaged with a Company who had the next competitive tender under the initial procurement process. 4. Your question refers to any Government staff and the Department would not have access to this information. However, protection is embedded in the Isle of Man

Government Financial Regulations as per Section 6 of the Regulations detailed in the extract below: 5. As detailed in the response to Question 1, this is due to the current travel restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Please quote the reference number 1486269 in any future communications. “6. Tender Process and Stages 6.1. The tender process must adhere to the procedure outlined below unless the Director of Commercial Law has given prior written approval to vary or amend the procedure. 6.2. The tender process will not start and expressions of interest will not be sought until written approval to proceed has been given by the Director of Commercial Law. 6.3. Officers involved in the tender process (a ‘Tender Evaluation Panel Member’) must act impartially and must not be influenced by personal relationships. Officers must comply with Financial Direction A2, and must also declare to their Accountable Officer and the Director of Commercial Law, any personal or business interests or those of immediate family, which will be recorded. Personal or business interests include (but are not limited to): a) a senior position or directorship; b) post of Company Secretary; c) beneficial interest in 5% or more of the issued share capital of a company. Further guidance on conflict of interest and subsequent actions can be found at: Code of Conduct for Public Servants 2009 and Conflicts of Interest – Staff Guidance Notes. If an exemption has been obtained from the requirements of FD C.9.4 any person or entity who is involved in the tender process and who has personal or business

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FOI Response Team