Defence Forces shop for mousetraps and washing machines
MUNITIONS and explosives would be expected on a shopping list for the Defence Forces, but not washing machines, driers and mousetraps.
New tender documents show the military is looking for a supply of munitions and explosive materials to train recruits and for use on deployments at home and abroad.
The forces are also looking for the services of a pest control expert to provide “proactive measures” and “recommendations concerning rats/ mice infestation” at military buildings.
The contract for tackling pest infestations is not linked to the supply of pyrotechnics, including flares and explosive or flammable materials, that will be deployed during training exercises within Ireland and during Defence Forces operations here and abroad.
Organisations bidding to supply the pyrotechnics must provide evidence of similar arrangements in place with at least two other Nato states; the Australia, New Zealand, United States Security (ANZUS) treaty signatories; or Partnership for Peace (PfP) countries, which include European and former Soviet states.
A Defence Forces spokesman said it has many uses for the explosives.
“Óglaigh na hÉireann requires a continuous and guaranteed supply of various munitions to train personnel, validate operational standards, test equipment and for deployment on operational and security duties both at home and overseas,” he said.
Documents for the pest control services show suppliers will be expected to check for insects as well as mice and rats in Defence Forces barracks.
Service providers will have “to satisfy the Minister of Defence that all reasonable proactive measures are taken to deal with infestation and that they conform to Health Board Regulations”.
This will include laying bait and poison where necessary.
The pest control experts will also have to inform appropriate personnel at each barracks where the bait points are, the types of poison or rodencides being used, and outline if personnel will have to restrict their use of certain areas where traps have been laid.
“No new rodencides are to be introduced or used without prior approval by Barrack Service Section, Dublin,” the documents add.
Any follow-up visits to deal with ongoing infestations must come at no extra expense to the Department of Defence.
A spokesman said the Defence Forces have been using pest control services for decades, but declined to outline where the problems have been, and which rodents or insects have posed issues.
A Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (Raco) conference two years ago heard officers in barracks were sleeping in rooms where they had discovered rat and mice droppings.
“In terms of pest control, the Defence Forces have had pest control services for over 20 years. We have published a tender with a view to placing a new contract as the existing contract terminates in 2021,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Defence Forces is also looking for a supply of new washing machines and dryers so recruits can launder their uniforms and clothes.
The industrial-sized machines must be token-operated and come equipped with the necessary coins. They must also be front-loading and delivered and installed in various military locations in Ireland. Tender documents state they must come with an arrangement for an annual service for each of the next four years.
A spokesman said “all laundry machines are for use in Defence Forces installations on-island only” and will not be sent abroad with soldiers working on missions overseas.
The machines will be delivered to all military locations in Ireland, including the Naval Service base at Haulbowline, Co Cork, and the Air Corps base at Baldonnell, Co Dublin.