Decision details

Proposed decision:

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to agree to:

1.    the implementation of a new Independent Construction Consultancy Services Framework to support the delivery of the Capital and Minor Works Programmes over a 6-year (4 year+1+1) contract period and includes the following disciplines:

o   Lot 1 – Multi-discipline (including client delegated duties)

o   Lot 2 – Project Manager (including client delegated Quantity Surveying duties)

o   Lot 3 – Supervisor

o   Lot 4 – Technical Advisor

o   Lot 5 – Construction Design and Management Advisor

2.    delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to  take relevant actions, including but not limited to, awarding, finalising the terms of and entering into the relevant contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary, to implement the decision

3.    delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to award extensions of contracts for commissioned services in accordance with the extension clauses within the contract (4 years + 2 x 1 year extensions).

Reason for the decision / Background

Kent County Council (KCC) have previously appointed consultants on a project-by-project basis via the Property Services Consultancy Framework to provide professional consultancy services to support construction projects. However, the Framework expired in June 2020 and procurement of such services has since been conducted on a project-by-project basis, tendered or by direct award procurements in-line with Spending the Council’s Money Policy and Public Contract Regulations.

The current method of procuring consultancy services is resource intensive and requires a more efficient approach. In addition, KCC need a professional consultancy services framework that aligns to the new construction partnership framework and can support the delivery of the minor works programme.

Options

There are 3 options to consider for the ongoing procurement of consultancy services:

·         Option 1 – Insource of consultancy provision.

·         Option 2 – Continuing with current arrangement of tendering/direct award for each requirement.

·         Option 3 – Establishing a new Construction Consultancy framework.

Following consideration of the benefits and disbenefits at the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee on 13 July 2022, procurement activity has been progressed in relation to Option 3.

This option provides a pre-qualified framework of consultants to efficiently support the projects procured via the Construction Partnership Framework and support the delivery of the minor works programme on behalf of Kent County Council (KCC). It is likely that allocation of projects under the Framework will be on a rotational basis, so that all suppliers receive an equal allocation of works (performance and project dependant).  In addition, the facility to undertake mini fee bids will be included.

It is envisaged that the new Independent Construction Consultancy Services Framework will commence by late September/early October 2024.

How the proposed decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy 2022-2026:

The proposed decision will support the objectives of the Framing Kent’s Future – Our Council Strategy 2022-2026 by:

·         Supporting the delivery of the Council’s Capital and Minor Works Programmes.

·         Supporting the delivery of the Kent Commissioning Plan for Education Provision 2020-2024, including the Basic Need programme.

·         Supporting the KCC Corporate Estate maintenance programme.

·         Supporting the KCC Education Estate maintenance programme.

As Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to:

1.    the implementation of a new independent Construction Consultancy Services Framework to support the delivery of the Capital and Minor Works Programmes over a 6-year (4 year+1+1) contract period and includes the following disciplines:

·         Lot 1 – Multi-discipline (including client delegated duties)

·         Lot 2 – Project Manager (including client delegated Quantity Surveying duties)

·         Lot 3 – Supervisor

·         Lot 4 – Technical Advisor

·         Lot 5 – Construction Design and Management Advisor

2.    delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to take relevant actions, including but not limited to, awarding, finalising the terms of and entering into the relevant contracts or other legal agreements, as necessary, to implement the decision.

3.    delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to award extensions of contracts for commissioned services in accordance with the extension clauses within the contract (4 years + 2 x 1-year extensions).