Decision

The Cabinet Member for Operational Services, Parks & Waste:

Approved the award of the call off contract to Contenur (UK) Limited for the supply of 140 litre, 180 litre and 240 litre wheeled bins for an initial two-year term until 31 August 2028, with an option to extend for up to two-years, subject to costs being within the approved budget framework.

Accepted the delegation of the decision to utilise the optional two-year extensions to the responsible Cabinet Member, based on supplier performance and a recommendation from the responsible director, subject to the cost being within approved budgets.

Reasons for the decision

2.1       The Lichfield District and Tamworth Joint Waste Service provides a wheeled bin collection service to approximately 80,000 properties across both districts.

2.2       Each household is typically issued a minimum of three bins, plus food waste caddies which have been procured separately:

·       Black for refuse

·       Blue for dry mixed recycling (plastics, glass, cans)

·       Brown or green for garden waste (brown in Lichfield District and green in Tamworth Borough)

·       Purple for card and paper (rural rounds only)

2.3       Sizes offered range from 140 litre to 360 litre to accommodate household needs and encourage waste minimisation.

2.4       Bins are delivered to new households and are replaced when reported as damaged, lost or stolen.

2.5       In 2024/25, a total of 6,127 bins were delivered to residents across both council areas, reflecting consistent demand for both new and replacement bins.

2.6       To maintain service standards, the Joint Waste Service must ensure that adequate stock levels are always maintained to allow for timely deliveries and avoid disruption to residents.

2.7       This procurement exercise was conducted under a closed framework agreement, meaning that only suppliers who had already been awarded a place on the framework were eligible to bid. No additional suppliers outside of that framework could submit a tender.

2.8       Following award of the contract for 360 litre bins, we were made aware of cost increases to the 140, 180 and 240 litre bins due to market factors. Subsequently, and in line with the framework procedures, we asked all tenderers to re-submit their costs for 140, 180 and 240 litre bins.

2.9       Quality scores remained unchanged from the original tender submissions with only costs being re-evaluated.

2.10     Following evaluation in accordance with the framework requirements, Contenur (UK) Limited achieved the highest overall score, and the contract award is within approved budgets.

2.11     Contenur (UK) Limited is an established supplier of waste and recycling containers to local authorities and other organisations across the UK.

2.12     The framework also enables engagement with suppliers within or near the West Midlands region, supporting local economic benefit and operational efficiency.

Alternative options considered

·       Do nothing: This would leave the Joint Waste Service without a contract and reliant on spot buying, resulting in cost inefficiencies, supply chain risks, and potential delays in delivering bins to residents.

·       Re-run the procurement: Repeating the procurement process would cause unnecessary delays, risking stock depletion and operational disruption during periods of ongoing bin demand.