About the FSCA
The FSCA was created as an independent body to procure consultation services and adopt a similar role to that of the FIRES Steering Group in terms of co-ordination and development.
Its main aims are:
- To procure consultation services for members of the Association
- To facilitate collaborative consultation activities
- To facilitate development of service specific consultation techniques
- To facilitate members' capacity to undertake consultation activities without external assistance
- To promote and facilitate comparison and benchmarking between FSCA members and with other sectors
- To promote FSCA members' interests through dialogue and liaison with appropriate national bodies and government departments
- To identify common consultation needs and address such needs through the development of services and tool-kits
- To influence consultation requirements and guidance issued to UK fire and rescue services
Procurement of Consultation Service Provider
In August of 2008 an invitation to show interest for a Formal Tender, for the consultation contract was advertised by the FSCA.
5 companies were short listed to receive invitations to tender and 2 completed tenders were received at December 8th closing date. 1 completed tender was received after the closing date and was returned with an explanatory note.
The FSCA tender evaluation process took place between 10th and 11th January 2009.
On the basis of both quality and relative cost, Opinion Research Services (ORS) was selected as the preferred supplier in January 2009.