An estimated €12 million will be spent by a Garda Síochána on public order body armour, which will shield personnel against attacks using combustible materials and weapons like knives and spikes, reports Breaking News.
The action by An Garda Síochána (AGS) comes after the Garda National Public Order Units (GBNPOU) have been sent to rallies more often over the last year, primarily in response to escalating tension during anti-immigration marches.
According to the Department of Justice, since the beginning of the year, more than €3.2 million has been spent on giving the GNPOU more equipment, including more than €200,000 on canister holders and incapacitant spray, reports Breaking News.
Currently, An Garda Síochána wants to create a framework arrangement with a single supplier for the provision of protective gear to public order police.
The new deal has a four-year term with potential extensions.
The tender notes that “tenderers must understand that this figure is an estimate only based on current and future expected usage” with regard to the predicted €12 million expenditure.
The tender highlights that the personal protective equipment to be supplied will give Garda members “suitable protection against blunt impacts, spike and knife strikes; as well, attacks with flammable materials, and accelerants; associated with public order policing,” underscoring the various threats that public order unit Gardai face when policing protests, reports Breaking News.
“Members of AGS can safely and effectively carry out their duties and have the appropriate means to effectively deal with, persons who, or incidents which, pose a threat to the public, members of AGS, or the persons themselves,” according to the tender description of the equipment.
Additionally, it says that the apparatus will “maximise the risks to members associated with dealing with and/or arresting violent and otherwise non-compliant subjects.”
“It is imperative that tenderers understand the requirement that any proposed product can be integrated with the current GNPOU uniform and equipment,” the tender reads, reports Breaking News.
According to the tender, the given utility belt is a crucial piece of gear that holds necessary supplies and is required for using in tactical exercises such single- and double-belt cordons.
According to the tender, a Gardai utility belt comes with handcuffs, an incapacitant spray, a long baton, a first aid pouch, and a drink bottle, reports Breaking News.
The deadline for tenders is October 4th. Applicants must demonstrate that they have generated €6 million in income annually for the last three years.
Tenderers are required to submit a synopsis of the two contracts they have successfully completed in the last three years for a police or military client, either past or present, reports Breaking News.
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