Purpose

To consider the Strategic Procurement Plan for
the provision of a new Highways Bridge Management Contract. The
purpose of this procurement project is to provide a further
contract to manage both the Highways and Parks and Countryside
structures asset.

Decision

That the Executive Member for Planning
Transport and Countryside approves the Strategic Procurement Plan
(confidential Annex A) for establishing a new Highways Bridge
Management Contract. 

Reasons for the decision

The provision of
bridge management servicesis currently
provided by a specialist consultant procured through Design and
Construction Consultancy Contract managed by the Council’s
Property Team. This contract expires in June 2025. Following an
unsuccessful procurement process in 2022 a decision was made to
separate the needs of the Property and Highways teams and procure a
new separate Bridge Management contract to provide this essential
service

Alternative options considered

i.     
Extending the time frame of this contract has been considered but
discounted. In 2028 both the Highway Maintenance term contract and
the Highways Road Condition Survey contracts will require renewal
and it is considered of greater benefit to bring all the highway
contracts together in one procurement exercise to enable the
Borough to gain the most opportunity during this larger procurement
exercise.

 

ii.    
Consideration has been given to internalising the responsibility of
managing the boroughs Highway Structures asset but has been
discounted. This will bring the added cost of staff and specialist
software together with the responsibility and risk associated with
this.