Purpose

To request authority to award contracts as required by Contract Standing Order 88 for the Rpaid Assessment Hub for rough sleepers, funded by the Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI) Grant.

Decision

That the Corporate Director Resident Services:

i)             Notes that the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security has granted an exemption from the requirement to tender for a contract for a Rapid Assessment Hub for rough sleepers funded by the Rough Sleepers Initiative (RSI) Grant.

ii)            Notes the Contract Standing Order 89 considerations.

iii)           Approves the direct award of the contract for a Rapid Assessment Hub for rough sleepers, funded by the RSI Grant, for a period of 13 (thirteen) months from 1 April 2024 to 30 April 2025 to St Mungo Community Housing Association in the sum of £497,188.25.

Reasons for the decision

The Council requires the provision of a Rapid Assessment Hub for rough sleepers, currently funded by the Rough Sleeper Initiative (RSI) Grant. Council officers have sought and obtained an exemption from the requirement to tender a contract from the Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters Security to permit a direct award in order for the service to remain aligned with the current funding and allow officers to go out to tender in September 2024 with any new RSI Grant determination.

Alternative options considered

Officers considered whether the Rapid Assessment Hub could be provided by the Council itself but concluded that it is best provided by a contractor.

Officers reviewed a range of procurement options but consider that a direct award is the most appropriate means of procuring a contractor.