The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is inviting tenders for the supply of cricket helmets suitable for young players. The intention is to make three helmets available initially, on a subsidised basis, to each school and club that wishes to participate in the support programme being initiated by the ECB and BBC SPORT.

Requirements

The ECB wishes to provide helmets that will be used on a communal basis by young players in schools and clubs. Suppliers must therefore be able to meet the following requirements:

1. The helmets must be available in a range of head sizes suitable for players aged between Under 10 and Under 17.
2. The helmets must have some internal adjustability to cater for differing head sizes.
3. Helmets must be supplied with a faceguard/grille.
4. Helmets must have a CE Certificate, having been tested for conformance to the British Standard BS7928:1998, at the time of delivery.

Other Considerations

The ECB wishes to see significant improvements in two areas of helmet design and manufacture:

1. Weight of the helmet and grille. Particular emphasis will be placed on the weight of the helmet and grille. It is recognised that the helmets currently available are heavier than is desirable for younger players and manufacturers are urged to seek innovative ways of reducing the weight of both the helmet and the grille.
2. Ventilation. The ECB has commissioned research into the dehydration effect of wearing a helmet, particularly on younger players before their temperature management system reaches maturity. Manufacturers are asked to identify the ways in which their helmet improves on the currently available designs in this important area.

The support provided by BBC SPORT will continue to be available in future years and it is expected that additional helmets will be purchased for the 2002 season.

Logos

The helmets will carry the BBC SPORT logo on both sides, above the ears. This must be visible above the grill attachment. The manufacturers’ logo can appear on the back of the helmet. The front of the helmet must be plain. Manufacturers are asked to consider the practicality of providing an area on the back of the helmet that schools and clubs could write on with marker pens (for example, a squad or age group name).

Colours

It would be preferable if the helmets could come in a range of colours, but this is not an absolute requirement. Manufacturers should indicate the colour(s) that are available and identify any price implications of providing a range of colours.

Other Equipment

Manufacturers are asked to identify the costs and availability of any other related equipment that can be supplied, including spare fixing nuts for the grille and replacement padding or headbands inside the helmet.

It is intended to supply the three helmets in a special holdall bag and manufacturers can tender to supply these in addition to the helmets. The bags should be of canvas or similar hard-wearing material, with a zip or similar closure, of an appropriate size to hold three helmets, and include a pocket for spare parts. It is not a requirement of the tender for helmets to tender for the holdalls and any tender for the holdalls must identify their cost and availability separately.

Volumes

It is anticipated that up to 20,000 helmets will be required before the start of the 2001 season to meet requests from schools and clubs. It is intended that the helmets will be delivered either in January 2001 (for use in indoor nets) or in April 2001. Manufacturers are asked to identify the volumes that they could deliver against these delivery dates. Firm delivery requirements will be established by the end of August 2000.

Up to 7,000 holdall bags will also be required.

Manufacturers are asked to submit prices (inclusive of VAT and any delivery charges) for some or all of the following volumes:

Helmets:   
1000  Delivered in January 2001    1000 Delivered in April 2001
2500  Delivered in January 2001    2500 Delivered in April 2001
5000  Delivered in January 2001    5000 Delivered in April 2001
10000 Delivered in January 2001   10000 Delivered in April 2001
15000 Delivered in January 2001   15000 Delivered in April 2001
20000 Delivered in January 2001   20000 Delivered in April 2001

Bags:
1000 Delivered in January 2001    1000 Delivered in April 2001
2500 Delivered in January 2001    2500 Delivered in April 2001
5000 Delivered in January 2001    5000 Delivered in April 2001
7000 Delivered in January 2001    7000 Delivered in April 2001