Decision

RESOLVED that a contract for the provision of technical production services to support the delivery of the Town Show be awarded to D&B Solutions Ltd, through Constellia, for £240,331, using the NEPRO Innovation framework agreement.

Reasons for the decision

To provide technical production of musical performance slots for the Harlow Town Show 2026 to contribute towards a "landmark programme of  events”.

Alternative options considered

Self Deliver - The council does not have suitably qualified or experienced internal resource to deliver the technical production for the Town Show; it was therefore identified that the service would need to be procured.

Undertake a full, open tender – Following discussions the option to undertake a full, open tender was rejected as there was insufficient time to undertake a compliant process. The decision to use a PA23 compliant framework agreement was identified as the only mechanism to lawfully contract with provider for a contract of this type and value. 

Undertake a mini-competition using a compliant framework – The service lead determined that there was no benefit in running a mini-competition to source competitive quotations, instead deciding that direct award using the framework provided the operational and commercial option.