Purpose

Tameside Resettlement Scheme utilises a framework agreement for the provision of domestic furniture and white goods.  Manchester City Council have recently re-commissioned this framework agreement for the furniture contract and a new provider is in place – The Furnishing Service.

This report requests permission to utilise the Manchester City Council framework agreement using the direct award process and award a contract to The Furnishing Service to provide furniture and white goods for the delivery of the Tameside Resettlement Scheme and for other council departments to also utilise.

The contract period is 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027 with a one plus one optional extension period.

Decision

(i)                That approval be given that the council award a contract to The Furnishing Service utilising the Manchester City Council framework agreement for a period of 18 months plus an optional further 2 years (plus one, plus one)

(ii)             The additional support changes to the Tameside Resettlement Scheme be approved.

Reasons for the decision

The supply of furniture and white goods for the Tameside Resettlement Scheme is currently delivered utilising a framework agreement via Manchester City Council (MCC).

A new framework provider has been commissioned by MCC, and The Furnishing Service is now operating as the new provider under the terms of this framework agreement.

To ensure continuity of service, the current contract arrangements therefore require a review.

Alternative options considered

Go out to tender for a new provider.  This would be at additional cost, time and resource and would potentially create a gap in service delivery whilst a commissioning exercise takes place.