Decision

To authorise a waiver of the requirements of contract rule 7.3 and permit the Council obtaining one quote for a contract for an independent review of the council’s repairs and maintenance service, covering both responsive repairs and void properties due to the specialist nature of the works.

Reasons for the decision

Contract Rule 7.3 requires that before carrying out a procurement process, Authorised Officers shall establish whether there is a suitable framework agreement, dynamic market or existing contract to which the Authority is a party that provides a mechanism for ordering goods, services and works and, if so, consider whether it’s use is appropriate, legal and adheres to the principles of Best Value. Where there is no suitable framework agreement, dynamic market or existing contract the authorised officer must follow the relevant process set out in the Table 1 in the Contract Rules.

Due to the value of the contract to be awarded on this occasion, Table 1 requires that the procurement process undertaken should have been to: seek a minimum of three quotes but this was not possible due to the fact that the contract is for Specialist consultants, solicitor, barrister, agents, artist or professional advisors are required and it is, in the opinion of the Authorised Officer, in the Authority’s best interest to engage a particular consultant, solicitor, barrister, agent, artist or advisor.

Alternative options considered

We could undertake a competitive exercise but given the specialist nature of the works it is the opinion of the authorised officer that a waiver is appropriate.