Purpose

To procure consultancy services to assist the
Council in undertaking feasibility reports for prospective Gypsy
and Traveller sites in the borough via a framework.

Content

That the Director Property and Assets:
 
i)              
Approves Brent Council’s participation in a call-off
procedure under Lot 1 of Construction Professional Services, Crown
Commercial Services Framework RM6165 in respect of the consultancy
services for the Gypsy and Traveller Site Feasibility Reports.
 
ii)             
Confirms there is sufficient budgetary provision for the proposed
call-off contract.
 
iii)           
Approves inviting bids under the framework agreement for the
Employer’s Agent and Quantity Surveyor Consultancy Services
on the basis of the pre-tender considerations.
 
iv)           
Approves officers evaluating bids on the basis of the evaluation
criteria.

Reasons for the decision

The Council has completed an exercise to
identify new Gypsy and Traveller sites in the borough as part of
its commitment to provide safe and supportive accommodation sites.
The Council requires consultancy services to undertake feasibility
reports in order to confirm the appropriateness of the identified
sites.
 
It has been determined that the most
appropriate means of procuring the consultancy services is by way
of a mini-competition under Lot 1 of Construction Professional
Services, Crown Commercial Services Framework RM6165.

Alternative options considered

Officers have considered whether the
consultancy services can be provided by the Council itself but
concluded that they are best provided by an external
consultancy.
 
Officers reviewed a range of procurement
options including conducting a quotation or tender process, but
concluded that the use of the framework is most appropriate given
the reduction in timescales, costs and resources involved.