Norway - Water-tender vehicles - Fire engine for Inner Østfold fire and rescue

Indre Østfold Fire and Rescue IKS intends to enter into contract with Liftco AS for the procurement of a demo driven Mercedes-Benz Arocs fire engine with Mototruck addition to strengthen the fire service ́s operative tank vehicle stand-by. The aim of the procurement is to reduce an acute and unacceptable vulnerability in the current tank vehicle stand-by, ensure the necessary water supply capacity in the event of fire and rescue events, and maintain a proper and robust stand-by for the inhabitants of Indre Østfold, Skiptvet and Marker. Indre Østfold Fire and Rescue IKS assesses that there is a time-critical need for the procurement of a fire engine that can be delivered and put into operative service shortly. The background is the documented vulnerability in the current tank vehicle park, including advanced age, repeated technical errors, long term workshop stays, challenges with spare parts access and reduced operative availability. A market assessment has been carried out to check if there are available vehicles that can cover the need within the necessary timeframe. The assessment suggests that the market mainly consists of vehicles that must be newly produced, with an accompanying long delivery time of up to 2-3 years from when ordered. Inner Østfold Fire and Rescue IKS is not aware of other available firefighting vehicles, which can both be delivered within the necessary time frame and at the same time cover the company ́s operative requirements for tank vehicle preparedness. The relevant demobile from Liftco AS is available for delivery in the third quarter of 2026 and can therefore be put into operative service this year. The procurement will therefore reduce the vulnerability in the current tank vehicle park and contribute to increased operational security, improved operative availability and strengthened social security in the short term. The intention notice is anchored in the procurement regulations § 13-4 letter b no. 2 on situations where competition is impossible for technical reasons. Provisions allow for: "The contracting authority can hold a procurement without a competition if [...] b. The procurement concerns services that only a specific supplier can deliver because [...] 2. The competition is impossible for technical reasons or [...] when there are not reasonable alternatives and the lack of competition is not due to the contracting authority adapting the procurement documents to a specific supplier". Indre Østfold Fire and Rescue IKS assesses that the procurement can be carried out without ordinary competition as a result of the time-critical stand-by need and a lack of available alternative solutions in the market within the necessary timeframe. The delivery covers the need for a modern, reliable and operative fire engine that can quickly strengthen the stand-by. The vehicle ́s water capacity of 11,500 litres gives significant water supply capacity in events in areas with limited access to extinguishing water. This is particularly relevant in forest and outdoor fires, farm fires, building fires in scattered houses, industrial fires and major events where continuous water supply is required. The pump capacity, water cannon, foam system, multiple water outlets and the possibility for remote control of pumps give flexibility and operative efficiency. This can contribute to faster establishment of water supply and better utilisation of available crew resources at the damage site. The vehicle also has modern safety and support functions, including a backing camera, light mast, traffic lead lights, warning lights, sirene and operation with Norwegian text. This is to contribute to better safety for emergency personnel and other road users. The procurement will reduce the vulnerability in the current tank vehicle park and contribute to increased operational security, improved operative availability and strengthened social security. The contract will at the earliest be signed after the waiting period expires of 10 days calculated from the day after the intention notice has been published. Contract value excluding VAT: NOK 4,680,000