Decision details

Due to exceptional circumstances during the Covid-19 pandemic, where the Maintenance and Contracts service was curtailed for a period and a high number of Council homes becoming vacant (Void), there is a requirement to appoint a contractor on a short term 9 month contract to supplement the in-house team to address the refurbishment work to return these void properties to lettable condition. These properties will be used to meet households in priority need on the Council’s Housing Register.

To appoint Foster Property Maintenance Ltd, a contractor on the South East Consortium Framework (SEC). The estimated contract value is £149,000.

Reason:

To supplement the in-house team to address refurbishment work to return void properties to lettable condition.

This direct award on the SEC framework is compliant with PCR2105 and the benchmarking of the rates applicable to the SEC Framework have verified these as representing good value.

Alternative options considered: Conduct a full tender process or wait for a pending contract to be awarded (AIME) but that will not commence until 2022. Both these options have been rejected due to the immediate need.