Vehicle Recovery Examination Services (VRES)

Vehicle Recovery Examination Services (VRES) under the Directorate of Operational Support Services (OSS) are seeking approval to;

• Conduct a negotiated procedure (STA) with the named supplier Lock and Key Centre and place an award of contract with a value of £150,000 up to a 12-month duration.

In 2016, following an open procedure procurement process a contract award was made to a supplier with a total contract value of £299,088 to cover service provision of up to 24 months (initial period) and up to a further 24 months of permitted foreseen extensions. The MPS received official written confirmation from this supplier confirming notice of termination of services to the contracting authority/MOPAC.

The STA request is in place to ensure continuation of delivery of services upon termination of the existing contract as above.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to:

• Approve the negotiated procedure (STA) for initiation and award of contract to Lock and Key Centre up to the value of £150,000 to cover a contract duration of up to 12 months. The contract value of £150,000 will be supported by existing budgets.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. Vehicle Recovery Examination Services (VRES) is a key part of the MPS drive to tackle vehicle crime on the streets of London working in partnership with MPS contractors to remove or recover vehicles involved in collisions, crime or seized under Police powers.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. In 2016, following an open procedure procurement process a contract award was made to a supplier with a total contract value of £299,088 to cover service provision of up to 24 months (initial period) and up to a further 24 months of permitted foreseen extensions. The MPS received official written confirmation from this supplier confirming notice of termination of services to the contracting authority (MOPAC).

2.2. The STA request is in place to ensure continuation of delivery of services upon termination of the existing contract as above.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The contract value of £150,000 will be supported by existing revenue budgets.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. Commercial Services have confirmed the contract is business critical and there is no alternative but to award a contract using a negotiated procedure without prior publication on the basis of regulation 32 due to lack of time and competition in the market.

4.2. Regulation 32(2) (b) provides the contracting authority may award a contract for the supply or services to a particular economic operator as competition is absent for technical reasons and there is no reasonable alternate or substitute exists and the absence of competition is not the result of an artificial narrowing down of parameters. Further, regulation 32(2) (c) provides insofar as is strictly necessary where, for reasons of extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable by the contracting authority, the time limits for the open or restricted procedure or competition procedures with negotiation cannot be complied with.

5. Equality Comments

5.1. There are no direct equality or diversity implications associated with this report.

6. Background/supporting papers

6.1. None.