Extension of Contract: Media Planning & Buying Collaborative Framework

This paper requests a zero value six month extension of the Media Buying services contract with Mediacom Ltd. The extension will be from 1^st January to 30^th June 2017. This contract provides the ability to purchase advertising space for publicity, recruitment and corporate advertising campaigns.

The DMPC is asked to approve the extension of the Media Buying services contract by a period of six months from January 1st 2017 to June 30th 2017. The extension will be at zero value.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. In June 2011, the MPS let a Media Buying service contract to Mediacom Ltd for four years. The contract is due to expire at the end of December 2016 and is inclusive of previous extensions. The contract extension will allow the MPS sufficient time to conclude a replacement contract process. The route to deliver this new contract includes the GLA Framework for Media Services or via an appropriate Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Framework.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. The MPS’s BeSafe campaign is currently being delivered by Mediacom Ltd. To change providers mid-stream could have an adverse impact on the campaign, which is due to deliver key elements over Christmas and the New Year and up to March 2017.

2.2. The MPS is contractually obliged to provide the Business Support Services provider SSCL with access to a media buying service provider until October 2018. The contract extension will allow the MPS to meet its contractual obligations until a new provider is appointed and avoid any possible financial penalty by not defaulting on their obligation to SSCL.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. Any future spend within the contract extension will be funded from existing budgets. The call off contract does not require the MPS to spend to the original contract level of £20m. To date only £14m has been spent the contract.

3.2. The six month extension will allow the MPS the time to accurately benchmark the prices secured by the GLA (once awarded) in their tender process against those available on the CCS Framework. This will be used to determine the subsequent longer term contract and its route to market and will identify the best value for money for the MPS.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. There are no legal implications arising from this contract extension and there is no risk of challenge.

5. Equality Comments

5.1. There are no direct equality or diversity implications arising from this report

6. Background/supporting papers

6.1. None.