TT & MGP Pitlane fire cover

Summary

The requester asked for historical costs and tender details for fire cover services provided by IOMFRS and SFRS for the TT and MGP events over the past five years. The Department for Enterprise disclosed that it could not provide the specific costs for SFRS due to an upcoming competitive tender, citing commercial prejudice, while the response regarding IOMFRS was cut off in the provided text.

Key Facts

• The request concerns fire cover costs for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix (MGP) events.
• Information regarding Safety Fire and Rescue Solutions (SFRS) costs was withheld.
• The Department for Enterprise is planning a competitive tender for the fire cover services.
• Releasing current costs is deemed to prejudice the Department's ability to secure the best price.
• The public interest test concluded that maintaining the exemption outweighs the factors for disclosure.

Data Disclosed

• 2024-08-29
• 2024-09-25
• 4089813
• 5 years
• s30(2)(b)

Exemptions Cited

• Section 30(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act (Commercial interests)

Original Request

Hello I would like to know how the Isle of Man Fire & Rescue Service (IOMFRS) tender for the pit lane cover for both the TT and MGP. Do they put in a price before the events? If so, how much (both events for the past 5 years) Or Do they put in a bill after the events? Again, how much has this cost in the past 5 years (both events) Further to this, I would like to know how Safety Fire and Rescue Solutions (SFRS) tender for Grandstand and paddock cover for both the TT and MGP. Do they put in a price before the events? If so, how much (both events for the past 5 years) Or Do they put in a bill after the events? Again, how much has this cost in the past 5 years (both events) Thank you

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor, St Georges Court Upper Church Street, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624 686400) Website: https://www.iomdfenterprise.im/

Our ref: 4089813 25 September 2024

Dear ###,

We write further to your request, received 29 August 2024, which states:

"Hello

I would like to know how the Isle of Man Fire & Rescue Service (IOMFRS) tender for the pit lane cover for both the TT and MGP.

Do they put in a price before the events? If so, how much (both events for the past 5 years)

Or

Do they put in a bill after the events? Again, how much has this cost in the past 5 years (both events)

Further to this, I would like to know how Safety Fire and Rescue Solutions (SFRS) tender for Grandstand and paddock cover for both the TT and MGP.

Do they put in a price before the events? If so, how much (both events for the past 5 years)

Or

Do they put in a bill after the events? Again, how much has this cost in the past 5 years (both events)

Thank you"

In answering your request, this Department will, wherever possible respond to each part individually, providing any relevant information requested. However, the Department is not in a position to provide all the information requested as part of your request relates to services which will shortly be subject to a competitive tender and it is the view of this Department that the release of these costs and associated contractual information will prejudice that tender process and therefore the commercial interests of this Department.

The Department therefore will apply an exemption under s30(2)(b) of the Act to the costs, charges and terms of the services relating to SFRS.

The Department is aware that as a potential tenderer the incumbent supplier will always be aware of their own costs, but this Department does not believe that this knowledge would prejudice the outcome of competition, however as the Department will be conducting a competitive tender for these services, release of this information will most likely prejudice the Department’s ability to secure the best price. Any service like this should be open to commercial competition, there being a number potential local and off-island businesses who might wish to tender for the provision and as such knowledge of the existing costs for this service would be of a commercial advantage to any potential suppliers and prejudice the interests of the Department in securing the best possible value to the taxpayer.

This Department is fully aware that the information provided in response to a request of this nature is deemed to be a disclosure to the world in general rather than a disclosure to an individual requestor, it is this Departments opinion that whilst disclosure of the information would most likely be in the public interest, the release of any financial information would not, due to the aforementioned prejudice this would have.

On balance the disclosure of the costings and associated information has been assessed in favour of not releasing the information in advance of any tender process. If no tender process were to occur then the balance changes and would allow the provision of this information.

As section 30 is a qualified exemption, it is subject to a public interest test. The public interest must be something that is either of serious concern and benefit to the public at large in order to outweigh the ability for the Department to maximise value for money to the tax payer in general.

Factors in favour of disclosure

Disclosure would promote increased transparency and provide insight and better understanding of the cost of providing a public service through a government promoted sporting event.

Factors in favour of withholding

This Department's ability to obtain the best financial outcomes from a tender process require a level starting position for all potential tenderers. Should the costs and terms of contract be released and are made public then this will provide an indication to all potential providers and is likely to reduce the Department's ability to obtain best value for money and highest value service.

In taking these statements into account this Department has determined that the factors in favour of maintaining the exemption outweigh the factors in favour of disclosing the information in full.

Our response to your request is as follows:

1. I would like to know how the Isle of Man Fire & Rescue Service (IOMFRS) tender for the pit lane cover for both the TT and MGP. Do they put in a price before the events? If so, how much (both events for the past 5 years) Or Do they put in a bill after the events? Again, how much has this cost in the past 5 years (both events)

Answer:

The total amount paid to the Isle of Man Fire Service over the last 5 years is £186,511.

1. Further to this, I would like to know how Safety Fire and Rescue Solutions (SFRS) tender for Grandstand and paddock cover for both the TT and MGP. Do they put in a price before the events? If so, how much (both events for the past 5 years) Or Do they put in a bill after the events? Again, how much has this cost in the past 5 years (both events) Thank you"

Answer:

The services provided by SFRS are subject to the requirements of the Treasury Department’s Financial Regulations, section C 8, Procurement of General Goods and Services up to £100K, which fall under the Treasury Act 1985 and as such are subject to a competitive tender with a strict limit to the number of years a contract can be entered into before a retender is required.

As this part of your request for information has been deemed as being subject to a qualified exemption in accordance with section 30(2)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015, no further information can be provided, as per the reasons stated above.

Please quote the reference number 4089813 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

The amount of officer time spent on responding to this request is five hours.

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator.