Decision details

(R&E) Introduction of an exemption, to extend the current Transport Operator Framework Contract

Decision Maker: Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The current contractor framework was awarded following a ‘Standard open above EU Threshold’ tender process that established a framework of suppliers to deliver services for the maximum permitted term of 4 years. It was introduced in April 2017 and expired on 18th April 2021. The contract was extended through an exemption due to Covid-19 to 31st August 2022.

 

The Council is required to reprocure the external provision, and in October 2021 a report was presented to Cabinet recommending a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) to improve the quality of the service, drive innovation and, importantly, increase competition and reduce costs. The target date for implementation is 1st September 2022 however work is proving complex to progress and therefore the implementation date will be delayed.

 

The decision will be to continue with implementing the DPS on a delayed timescale, or to write a further exemption due to exceptional market circumstances, allowing sufficient time to complete a re-procurement or decommission the existing arrangement.

Decision:

RECORD OF OFFICER EXECUTIVE DECISION

 

 

Date of Decision:

 

14th September, 2022

Decision Maker:

(Including Job Title)

 

Paul Woodcock

Specific Delegation:

(If any)

 

Execute the Council’s Home to School Policy and where appropriate grant or refuse supported transport provision.

Flex the in-house home to school transport fleet and service function, and externally contracted resource, ensuring service demands are met.

Brief Description of Decision:

 

 

     To extend the current Home to School transport contract framework

     “The current contractor framework was awarded following a ‘Standard open above Threshold’ tender process that established a framework of suppliers to deliver services for the maximum permitted term of 4 years. It was introduced in April 2017 and expired on 18th April 2021. The contract was extended through an exemption due to Covid-19 to 31st August 2022, and brought in line with the academic calendar”

Reasons for the Decision:

 

 

The potential re-procurement by September 2022, presents significant risk of substantially higher costs to the Council for provision of the transport services and could be considered as no longer appropriate.

To mitigate the risk of increased prices, further work needs to be completed around alternative options for delivery such as increasing inhouse resource and route consolidation

Details of alternative options considered and rejected:

 

Due to the amount of routes tender through this contract & the decline in Passenger Operators within the area. Other options are not valid.

Conflicts of interest declared by any Executive Member consulted by the decision maker which relates to the decision:

 

Dispensations Granted:

(If any)

 

 

Reports or parts of reports considered

 

 

I certify that this is a true record of the executive decision in relation to extend the current Home to School transport contract framework

 

 

 

 

 

      

Signed by the Decision Maker  Paul Woodcock                                  

Dated: 14th September, 2022

Name: Paul Woodcock

Job Title: Strategic Director, Regeneration & Environment

 

Publication date: 16/09/2022

Date of decision: 14/09/2022

Accompanying Documents: