Initiate Procurement – Construction Professional Services Framework

This paper requests approval to initiate tendering for a framework for the supply of construction related professional services. The anticipated value of the framework is £40-£50m and includes the ability for GLA group bodies as well as other police and emergency services to access the framework.

That the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (DMPC)

1. Approves the commencement of an OJEU compliant tender process for the procurement of a new Construction Professional Services Framework supporting Property Services Department (PSD) with access to design, project/programme management and technical services over a three year plus one period with consultants appointed to specific service delivery lots aligned to service requirements.
2. Delegate authority to the Commercial Director (Procurement) to enter into the framework agreement with successful suppliers approved to one or more lots.

Introduction and background

The MPS operate their access to construction related professional services via a 4 year framework. The current framework expires in August 2017. The framework has a number of ‘lots’ for different services e.g. design consultants, building control inspection, cost management etc.

The framework financial capacity will provide for the award of call-off contracts with fee expenditure in the region of £40m to £50m, the latter value to aid collaborative procurement with GLA Group and Police and Emergency Services Authorities.

MPS now propose to replace the existing framework with a new one from August 2017, on the basis of a 3 year award, with potential to extend for a further 12 months. The services are required to provide specialist services not provided in house.

Issues for consideration

The current framework arrangements in support of Property Services Department’s (PSD) delivery of construction services expires in August 2017. No further option to extend these arrangements are available. Adequate time (circa 10 months) is planned for the re-procurement exercise.

It is essential that suitable support provided by professional services suppliers remain in place to manage the property obligations of the MPS/MOPAC. This is ensure building compliance, design standards, legal obligations and value for money are met. Furthermore, the PSD operating model is designed to provide for a small in house construction team supported by an external professional supply chain.

The requirement for a compliant procurement route is essential to help deliver the Estates Transformation programme.

The proposal also considered collaborative procurement approaches with other members of the GLA Family. However, the skill set required for the Construction Professional Services were not available through existing GLA or other public frameworks.

Further details are provided in Part 2.

Financial Comments

The PSD model is designed to provide a small in house team supported by an external supply chain. The business case relates to that supply chain and the need to maintain and enhance the quality of services provided.

The framework will not commit MOPAC to any expenditure. Proposed expenditure will be subject to individual business cases with approval sought in line with the approved governance process.

Legal Comments

The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) is a contracting authority as defined in the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (the Regulations). When awarding a public contract for goods and services valued at £164,176 or above all contracting authorities must do so in accordance with the Regulations.

Under paragraph 5.12 of the MOPAC Scheme of Delegation approval is required by the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime for all MPS requests to go out to tender for contracts of £500,000 or above.

Equality Comments

There are no equality and diversity implications as a result of this procurement.