Decision details

Proposed decision :

To agree the re-procurement and the award of a new contractual arrangement for the Arboriculture Programmed Works Contract for a period of five years and allowable extension of three years, subject to performance and to delegate authority to the Director for Highways and Transportation to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision

Background

The current contract expires 31^st August 2024. Accordingly, in order to ensure a seamless service remains in place a new procurement is required.  Ongoing procurement enables market testing and ensures that the rates KCC pay for the work are competitive and reflective of the current market. 

Options

The commissioning of the arboriculture programmed work stream within the soft landscape service was considered and agreed with amendments by the Commercial and Procurement Oversight Board on 31^st October 2023. 

How the proposed decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026: The arboriculture works service is a safety critical service that keeps Kent’s roads moving and assists economic growth.

How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future: The budget for this work is covered within existing budgets and will not be an additional financial burden to KCC. Best value was considered as part of the procurement process including assurance checking via the Commercial and Procurement Oversight Board.

As Cabinet Member for  Highways and Transportation, I agree to:

APPROVE the procurement of the Arboriculture Programmed Works Contract and in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation delegate authority to the Director of Highways and Transportation to approve the award of the subsequent contract to the preferred bidder and to take other relevant actions, including but not limited to finalising the terms of and entering into required contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary to implement the decision and;

•   in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation DELEGATE authority to the Director of Highways and Transportation to award extensions of the Arboriculture Programmed Works Contract in accordance with the possible extension clauses within the contract.