Repatriation Services

Descriptions

The requirement is for a Framework Agreement with a single operator call off contract where the MOD's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre is the only Authorised Demander. The Contractor must provide a 365 day/24 hour worldwide repatriation service and will be responsible for ensuring the services carried out conform to medical and legal requirements; the preparation of the body including embalming; facial reconstruction and dressing; provision of coffins and shrouds; and preparation and marking of the coffin for movement and arrangement of transport (note: Civil flights will only be used where RAF flights are not available). The Contractor will be required to send staff into theatres of military operations in order to effect repatriations where there is no local funeral infrastructure and, in the event of a major incident, be able to provide suitable personnel and be responsible for their security in any operational/conflict zone worldwide, overseas location or, exceptionally, in the UK. The Contractor may be required to provide a Mortuary Assistant for an in-Theatre Mortuary. In the event of a major incident, the Contractor may be required to provide any or all of the following emergency services: deploy a Major Incident Specialist to JCCC to assist in planning; provide Incident Management at the scene; recovery of remains; establish, operate and maintain an incident mortuary (which may include identification and processing of remains) or a body holding provision; assist the Services / local authorities with handling personal effects at the scene under Service supervision; liaise with all agencies; crisis intervention services and critical incident stress management; recovery of deceased bodies or remains; supply, transportation and support maintenance of suitable body storage units in theatre with appropriate mortuary assistants; deal with contaminated/infectious and Bio Hazard issues which need careful handling in order to comply with current and future health and safety regulations; body/body part identification which could include (though not be limited to) providing a Forensic Pathologist, Forensic Odontologist, Forensic Print Specialist, Forensic Photographer, Mortuary Assistant and Embalmer. The Contractor may also be requested to assist the appointed Pathologist in identification. This list is not exhaustive. The Contractor must be a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors or equivalent. There have been on average 16 repatriations to the UK or country of origin per year over the last 4 years; however, due to the nature of the requirement, exact numbers are unknown and could be higher or lower. The figure for the past 4 years is for guidance purposes only and there have been occasions where 150 repatriations have occurred in a 1 year period. To date, specialist services due to a major incident have not been required, although this is no indication of potential future requirements.