Purpose

Proposed
decision:
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for
Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to agree to:
 

1.   
the implementation of a new Independent Construction Consultancy
Services Framework to support the delivery of the Capital and Minor
Works Programmes over a 6-year (4 year+1+1) contract period and
includes the following disciplines:
 
o  
Lot 1 – Multi-discipline (including client delegated
duties)
o  
Lot 2 – Project Manager (including client delegated Quantity
Surveying duties)
o  
Lot 3 – Supervisor
o  
Lot 4 – Technical Advisor
o  
Lot 5 – Construction Design and Management Advisor
 

2.   
delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in
consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance,
Corporate and Traded Services to  take
relevant actions, including but not limited to, awarding,
finalising the terms of and entering into the relevant contracts or
other legal agreements, as necessary, to implement the decision
 

3.   
delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in
consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance,
Corporate and Traded Services to award extensions of contracts for
commissioned services in accordance with the extension clauses
within the contract (4 years + 2 x 1 year extensions).
 
 
Reason for the
decision / Background
Kent County Council (KCC) have previously
appointed consultants on a project-by-project basis via the
Property Services Consultancy Framework to provide professional
consultancy services to support construction projects. However, the
Framework expired in June 2020 and procurement of such services has
since been conducted on a project-by-project basis, tendered or by
direct award procurements in-line with Spending the Council’s
Money Policy and Public Contract Regulations.
 
The current method of procuring consultancy
services is resource intensive and requires a more efficient
approach. In addition, KCC need a professional consultancy services
framework that aligns to the new construction partnership framework
and can support the delivery of the minor works programme.
 
Options
There are 3 options to consider for the
ongoing procurement of consultancy services:

·        
Option 1 – Insource of consultancy provision.

·        
Option 2 – Continuing with current arrangement of
tendering/direct award for each requirement.

·        
Option 3 – Establishing a new Construction Consultancy
framework.
 
Following consideration of the benefits and
disbenefits at the Policy and Resources Cabinet Committee on 13
July 2022, procurement activity has been progressed in relation to
Option 3.
 
This option provides a pre-qualified framework
of consultants to efficiently support the projects procured via the
Construction Partnership Framework and support the delivery of the
minor works programme on behalf of Kent County Council (KCC). It is
likely that allocation of projects under the Framework will be on a
rotational basis, so that all suppliers receive an equal allocation
of works (performance and project dependant).  In addition, the facility to undertake mini fee
bids will be included.
 
It is envisaged that the new Independent
Construction Consultancy Services Framework will commence by late
September/early October 2024.
 
How the proposed
decision supports the Framing Kent's Future - Our Council Strategy
2022-2026:
The proposed decision will support the
objectives of the Framing Kent’s Future – Our Council
Strategy 2022-2026 by:
 

·        
Supporting the delivery of the Council’s Capital and Minor
Works Programmes.

·        
Supporting the delivery of the Kent Commissioning Plan for
Education Provision 2020-2024, including the Basic Need
programme.

·        
Supporting the KCC Corporate Estate maintenance programme.

·        
Supporting the KCC Education Estate maintenance programme.

Decision

As Cabinet Member
for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, I agree to:

1.   
the implementation of a new independent Construction Consultancy
Services Framework to support the delivery of the Capital and Minor
Works Programmes over a 6-year (4 year+1+1) contract period and
includes the following disciplines:
·        
Lot 1 – Multi-discipline (including client delegated
duties)
·        
Lot 2 – Project Manager (including client delegated Quantity
Surveying duties)
·        
Lot 3 – Supervisor
·        
Lot 4 – Technical Advisor
·        
Lot 5 – Construction Design and Management Advisor
 

2.   
delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in
consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance,
Corporate and Traded Services to take relevant actions, including
but not limited to, awarding, finalising the terms of and entering
into the relevant contracts or other legal agreements, as
necessary, to implement the decision.
 

3.   
delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure, in
consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance,
Corporate and Traded Services to award extensions of contracts for
commissioned services in accordance with the extension clauses
within the contract (4 years + 2 x 1-year extensions).