Purpose

To secure continuity of an essential water hygiene maintenance. The contract will provide scheduled maintenance such as water hygiene risk assessments, water sampling and specialist asset inspections for calorifiers and water tanks to Council offices, social care settings and other Council premises, including locations used by vulnerable adults and children. The contract will set service levels, performance monitoring and the ability to add or remove sites for maintenance as required.

Decision

Approval was given to award a 12-month call-off contract to SMS Environmental Ltd through the Fusion21 framework for water hygiene services, with a maximum value of £100,000 excluding VAT.

Reasons for the decision

SMS Environmental is an appointed supplier on the Fusion21 framework, providing a compliant and proportionate route. The award maintains continuity of this statutory service, uses pre-competed rates and reduces mobilization and transition risks.

Alternative options considered

Further competition, a separate quotation exercise and in-house delivery were considered but rejected due to additional time, duplication and lack of specialist capability. A standalone direct award was also rejected because a compliant framework route is available. The Fusion21 direct award was selected as the quickest and most proportionate option to maintain statutory service continuity, reduce mobilisation risk and use pre-competed rates.