Schedule A
Specification of Requirements
Agreement Overview
A1. Background
A1.1 HMRC (the Authority) is responsible for the administration and collection of over £460 billion of
revenue every year.
A1.2 One of the key sources of revenue collection for which the organisation is responsible is duty
on road fuels, which last year exceeded £27 billion.
A1.3 Road fuel duty is charged at the full rate on fuels predominantly used for road use, with
reduced rates on fuels used for heating, approved machinery and vehicles which are specifically
excluded from the legal definition of “road vehicle”. These fuels are typically gas oil (or red diesel)
and kerosene, both are currently ‘marked’ with dyes and chemicals so that they can be easily
identified.
A1.4 The resultant lower cost of these fuels can lead to misuse in road vehicles, either directly or, for
example, after processing (“laundering”) to remove the dyes.
A1.5 The Authority operates Road Fuel Testing Units (RFTU’s) in 16 locations throughout the UK
operating out of 50 specialist testing vehicles [See map at Appendix B].
A1.6 These Units are responsible for detecting and deterring the misuse of rebated oils as a road fuel
by, for example, testing road vehicles, testing fuel retail stations and commercial stock tanks.
A1.7 In February 2014, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury announced a new fuel ‘marker’ which
is more resistant to laundering techniques. This fuel marker known as Accutrace S10 (A10) will be
used to mark all UK rebated fuels alongside the current markers in 2015.
A2. Overview of the Requirement
A2.1 There is a requirement to carry out field tests on fuel samples in support of HMRC’s
enforcement actions.
A2.2 A fuel analyser is required for the Road Fuel Testing Vehicles which can as a minimum
specification (when used with other roadside tests available to HMRC) successfully identify the
presence of fuel markers in the field and will operate in compliance with all applicable Health &
Safety legislation (e.g. Health & Safety at Work Act 1974).
A2.3 HMRC Road Fuel Testing Units work in a variety of different environments, with typically 60,000
challenges and fuel samples taken per year.
A2.4 It is crucial that the fuel analyser is able to provide clear results within a short time period (0-30
minutes).
A2.5 The fuel analyser must be able to identify the A10 fuel marker in Hydrocarbon oil samples as
required by the specification given in A4.5-7 or A4.8-9 with the minimum of sampling preparation
and calibration.
A3 Roadside checks.
A3.1 All roadside activity, by its very nature, must be timely, the expectation is that the maximum
detection time would not exceed 30 minutes.
A4. Fuel Analyser
A4.1 It is envisaged that due to the nature of the marker Accutrace S10 (A10) some form of Gaschromatography system will be required and this specification has been predicated on that basis.
However, other techniques/systems are not excluded from consideration provided that they can
demonstrate that they can meet the requirements as stated in Appendix A for at least one of the
models.
A4.2 The fuel analyser must:

support HMRC’s front line staff in the exercise of their duties through the provision of
effective field testing analysers;

provide a testing process which is swift, robust, environmentally-friendly and costeffective for the analysis of fuel samples in the field;

provide the ability to clearly identify the presence of A10 in fuel samples, including any
applicable software to interpret the results;

provide a test result within 30 minutes; Non-Scientific staff must be able to operate and
maintain the Analyser on a daily basis following basic training.
A4.3 In addition to the supply of the fuel analyser units the Contractor will also provide the following
associated services:

training on the use of the analysers and on interpretation of the tests together with any
other training required;

advice on the use and supply of consumables and other agents necessary for carrying
out tests on fuel;

support, maintenance and replacement (same day if required) of the Analysers;

Health & Safety advice including any COSHH data Sheets for any substances used in
carrying out the field tests which may be hazardous to health.
A4.4 Two models of supply have been identified within this requirement:

Basic (Lot 1)

Advanced (Lot 2)
A4.5 The Basic model will be capable of detecting A10 in UK or Irish rebated Hydrocarbon oil
samples by displaying a positive result. This analyser will be used in conjunction with other roadside
tests available to HMRC to identify any samples of laundered fuels.
A4.6 The basic model must be able to be accommodated into the existing vehicles used by HMRC
(specified in Appendix A).
A4.7 It is intended that the basic model will be securely positioned within the road fuel testing unit
vehicles and that the analyser may be switched on whilst the vehicle is travelling to and from testing
locations. The environment to which the vehicles are subjected to whilst on the move will vary in
terms of terrain, it is therefore essential that the analyser can withstand rough terrain and that this
will not compromise performance. Samples will be tested whilst the vehicle is stationary.
A4.8 The Advanced model will be capable of detecting and identifying A10 in Hydrocarbon oil
samples that contain less than or equal to 0.25 mg/L of marker in UK or Irish rebated fuels and
display the result in terms of a percentage. This analyser will be used in conjunction with other
roadside tests available to HMRC, to identify laundered fuels.
A4.9 It is intended that the advanced model will be positioned in a static location however, if size
and functionality permits, it may be securely positioned within the road fuel testing unit vehicles as
specified in paragraph A4.7 above.
A5. Number of Analysers Required
A5.1 The Authority may seek to obtain the optimum balance between ‘Basic’ and ‘Advanced’ models
in relation to the budget available for this project.
A5.2 The Authority cannot guarantee the combination of ‘Basic’/’Advanced’ analysers required in
advance of the tender exercise, however the expectation is up to 20-50 ‘Basic’ analysers and up to 5
‘Advanced’ analysers.
A5.3 Should the cost of the ‘Advanced’ analysers prove to be higher than expected the Authority
reserves the right not to pursue purchasing the ‘Advanced’ model further.
A6 Delivery & Implementation
A6.1 For the delivery of the fuel analysers, the locations of the RFTU teams are detailed at Appendix
B.
A6.2 The Authority appreciates the potential difficulties in providing all of the fuel marker analysers
by the contract award date and if necessary will work with the supplier to ensure the requirement is
fulfilled in a phased approach provided that the final phase meets the needs of the Authority
(numbers and timescales to be agreed post award). As a minimum, the Authority will require 6 fully
operational analysers (i.e. ready to test samples of the new marker) by 5th June 2015 to facilitate
user training and fleet conversion. This will ensure that the RFTU staff are fully trained and confident
in the use of the analyser by the 1st July 2015.
A6.3 It is the suppliers responsibility to ensure that each machine is fit for purpose and of the same
specification as the analyser that was assessed during the evaluation/test period.
A7. Training
A7.1The Contractor will provide all necessary training and instruction to the authorities staff on how
to operate the analyser in advance of delivery of the analysers (approximately 150 staff located at
sites across the UK (see Appendix B)).
A7.2 This training will take place in small groups of approximately 10 staff per training session,
therefore we estimate that 15 courses will take place. The training will take place on the Authorities
premises in a central office in each of the 5 regional districts.

Belfast,

Maidstone,

Avonmouth,

Manchester,

Middlesbrough,
Exact locations to be confirmed at contract award
A8 Maintenance and Servicing
A8.1 HMRC Road Fuel Testing Units (RFTUs) typically deal with in excess of 60,000 challenges and
fuel samples per year, therefore in excess of 1200 per unit, pa.
A8.2 Each analyser, with only basic maintenance, must be capable of operating for a minimum of 8
hours per day for a period of between 4 and 6 months before requiring more specialised
maintenance/servicing.
A8.3 Basic maintenance (for example changing septum and/or compressed gas) should be capable of
being carried out by the operator.
A8.4 Any compressed gas cylinders required by the analyser to function must be intrinsically safe
and easily maintained and replaceable by the operator with a minimum training requirement. It is
the suppliers responsibility to ensure that machines supplied to HMRC comply fully with all current
Health and Safety Guidelines (e.g. Health & Safety at Work Act 1974).
A8.5 The analyser must provide a visual indication when the gas cylinder requires replacement.
A8.6. The supplier is to include a maintenance and servicing plan as part of the ongoing service
delivery.
A9 Energy Efficiency
A9.1 The supplier must provide a written declaration to ensure compliance with Article 6 and Annex
111 of the Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU, dated 25 October 2012.
Link to the legislation: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2617/made/data.pdf.
A10 Evaluation
A10.1 As part of the evaluation process it will be necessary to carry out tests on a working version of
the analyser to provide assurance of the detection limit and maximum analysis time, therefore
although a phased approach to the introduction of the analysers may be agreed between the
Authority and the successful bidder post award, bidders will need to be able to provide a working
example for testing during the evaluation period (see Tendering Instructions B3.45).
A10.2 The tender is expected to close on 11th March 2015, and the evaluation will commence
directly after this date. The analysers must be available for testing at LGC, Queens Road, Teddington,
Middlesex, TW11 0LY, UK and delivered to that location between 14th and 20th March 2015.
Specific delivery dates will be arranged and agreed direct with suppliers in due course.
A11 Disposal
A11.1 The requirement is for the supplier to dispose of the analyser giving due regard to Health and
Safety regulations at the end of its use, therefore full life costs are required as part of the tender
process.
A11.2 Tenderers should include any benefits to HMRC of the analyser disposal.
Appendix A
Lot 1 – ‘Basic’ Analyser for Accutrace S10 (A10)
Basic model specification:
Maximum Weight
Max Weight: Each unit not to exceed 50Kg (2 man lift).
Maximum Dimensions
As these units will be designed to fit into existing vehicles
used by HMRC each unit must comply with the following in
centimetres
72cm length x 36cm depth x 63cm height
Power Supply
Must be able to run continuously (or in the case of rechargeable batteries be charged off) using any of the following
power supplies 12 volt & /or 220 / 240 volt
Detection limit and Maximum analysis time
Detection limit:- less than or equal to 2 mg/L (2 parts per
million)
Maximum Analysis time:- less than 30 minutes.
Ease of use
Instrument checks (tuning GC-MS etc) and/ or any calibration
standard must inform the operator in the form of pass / fail
report. i.e. (built in automatic calibration system).
Results for an actual sample to be quoted in the form of
Positive / Negative (no amounts required).
Robustness: (provided basic maintenance is
carried out)
HMRC Road Fuel Testing Units (RFTUs) typically deal with
c60,000 challenges and fuel samples taken per year, on
average therefore in excess of 1200 per unit pa. It is envisaged
(with only basic maintenance carried out) that each analyser
must be able to operate a minimum of 8 hours per day for a
minimum period of between 4 and 6 months before requiring
more specialised maintenance. (for example changing
(column/liner) and cleaning of detector)).
Routine Maintenance
Only basic maintenance will be expected to be carried out by
the operator i.e. (Changing septum and / or compressed gas).
Any compressed gasses cylinders required by the analyser to
function must be intrinsically safe and be easily maintained
and replaced by the operator with little training (i.e.
replacement cylinder with some sort of valve release and
attachment mechanism). In addition the analyser must give
some visual indication when this is required.
Lot 2 – ‘Advanced’ Analyser for Accutrace S10 (A10)
Advanced model specification:
Detection limit and Maximum analysis time
Detection limit:- less than or equal to 0.25 mg/L (250 parts
per billion)
(less than 10% contamination)
Maximum Analysis time:- less than 30 minutes
Ease of use
Instrument checks (tuning GC-MS etc) and/ or any
calibration standard must inform the operator in the form
of pass / fail report. i.e. (built in automatic calibration
system).
Results for an actual sample to be quoted as an
approximate percentage contamination i.e. 1-100% (based
on calibration standard).
Robustness: provided routine maintenance is
carried out
HMRC Road Fuel Testing Units (RFTUs) typically deal with
c60,000 challenges and fuel samples taken per year, on
average therefore in excess of 1200 per unit pa It is
envisaged (with only basic maintenance carried out) that
each analyser must be able to operate a minimum of 8
hours per day for a period of between 2 and 3 months
before requiring more specialised maintenance. (for
example changing (column/liner) and cleaning of detector)
Routine Maintenance
Only basic maintenance will be expected to be carried out
by the operator
i.e. (Changing septum and / or compressed gas).
Any compressed gasses cylinders required by the analyser
to function must be intrinsically safe and be easily
maintained and replaced by the operator with little training
(i.e. replacement cylinder with some sort of valve release
and attachment mechanism). In addition the analyser must
give some visual indication when this is required.
Appendix B
Map of RFTU sites
Paisley
Newcastle
Belfast
Middlesbrough
Manchester
Nottingham
Hull
Birmingham
Felixtowe
Avonmouth
Maidstone
Swansea
Uxbridge
Croydon
Plymouth
Southampton