Forsvaret intends to enter into framework agreement with Sara Duodji (Karen Berit Sara Nedrejord) for the purchase of socks/kartanks for use in extremely cold weather. Kartanks of felted wool and inner soles of felted wool with birch bark ('woollen bark innersoles'). Forsvaret has calculated (with no obligation) the expected annual need to be 1 200 pair of kartanks per year and 2 750 pair of woollen bark innersoles per year. The framework agreement duration is 4 years. The estimated value of the procurement over four years is around 4 200 000 NOK.
The purpose of the procurement is to cover Forsvaret's need for kartanks and woollen birch innersoles. Kartanks and woollen bark innersoles are used in cold to extreme cold climates to prevent frostbite of the feet. Insulating properties are therefore important. Kartanks can be used with foot muffs by the snow-scooter drivers.
Further description of the procurement.
Kartanks:
— Felted woollen socks are fitted to Forsvaret's foot muffs;
— Expected life-time of the product is 12 months;
— Reinforcement in a suitable material is sewn into the upper edge;
— A loop is sewn on the back in connection with the reinforcement in the upper edge. This is used to drag the sock onto the foot and must therefore be solid and well secured;
— The height of the sock should be approx. 15 cm under the knee, i.e. a little lower than a foot muff of equivalent size. The height will be approx. 30 cm in size 37/38, and approx. 35 cm in size 43/44;
— The thickness of the kartanks is such that it fills out the foot muff when in use;
— All seams are sewn with thread suitable for the material and are well secured;
— The article must be able to be hand washed at 40 degrees Celsius;
— The article must be marked with washing instruction and what types of fibre/materials are used in the product;
— The kartanks shall be delivered in the following sizes: 32/34, 35/36, 37/38, 39/40, 41/42, 43/44, 45/46, 47/48, 49/50, and 51/52. The sizes should be adapted to a Nordic foot (equivalent field boot M/77).
Woollen bark innersoles:
— Felted wool sole with a core of bark, which function as stiffening and functions as a cold-barrier;
— Expected life-time of the product is 12 months;
— The sole has reinforcement seams to hold the bark core in place and thereby preserve the shape with use;
— All seams are sewn with thread suitable for the material and are well secured;
— The article must be able to be hand washed at 40 degrees Celsius;
— The size of the sole must be equivalent to field boot M/77;
— The soles shall be delivered in sized 32-52.
Forsvaret has carried out a market survey and found only smaller suppliers who are not able to deliver the quality and scope of kartanks and woollen bark innersoles needed by Forsvaret. Forsvaret thus finds that the procurement can only be undertaken with 1 supplier in the market, cfr Public Procurement Regulations § 2-1 second paragraph, letter a and § 18-3 letter a.