Issue details

Ipswich Borough Council’s Major Capital Schemes are currently engaged in creating a Framework to manage all disciplines of works for the corporate estate. Within the framework, the Council needs to establish a schedule of rates for all non-domestic commercial works. This will allow the contractor to have clear guidance when tendering for projects and costing works. Further, it will enable IBC to have better cost control and transparency of costs.

Currently, the Council already uses the M3 system within Maintenance and Contracts for maintenance and refurbishment of its housing stock. It is therefore considered the most appropriate provider of a schedule of rates and will enable quality control over the standards of workmanship and materials to be incorporated into maintenance, renewals and repairs and achieve direct financial control over expenditure and maintenance.

A quote has been received from M3 Housing Ltd. to provide the schedule of rates, the cost of which is £23,217.00, (this will allow access for 5 years), which had required an exemption from Contract Standing Orders.

A decision has been made to exempt the purchase from market testing under Contract Standing Orders as the system is provided by only one company.