Purpose

Reason for the decision
This decision is
necessary to ensure continuity of an existing statutory duty to
maintain assets on the public highway network.
The contract will
cover an initial five-year period, with an optional further five
years, and an annual value exceeding £1M.
 
Background – Provide brief additional context
This
service manages a full maintenance provision for existing and new
technology assets on the Kent Highway network, primarily traffic
signals but also electronic message signs, CCTV and associated
communications infrastructure, to include:
- Routine inspections of equipment to meet statutory duties
- Fault repairs due to wear and tear or third-party damage
- Temporary switch off traffic signals to allow third parties to
undertake works
- Planned works to modify existing assets or renew life expired
equipment
- Communications between on-street units and the Traffic Operations
Centre
- Provision, operation and management of a fault
reporting/monitoring platform
- Emergency call outs to make damaged equipment safe during out of
hours
 
The
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) inventory of equipment
comprises the following:
- 365 traffic signal-controlled junctions
- 417 traffic light controlled crossings (pelican, puffin, toucan,
pegasus)
- 148 electronic roadside message signs (VMS)
- 236 electronic vehicle activated warning signs (VAS) 
- 191 highway monitoring CCTV cameras
- 1 over-height vehicle detection site

 
Options (other options considered but discarded)
Several
options have been considered for the maintenance service, although
traffic systems are fundamentally different from other assets and
combining them with other contracts is not appropriate.
Consideration has been given but discounted for the
delivery/pricing methodology, including:
- Cost
reimbursable with open book (NEC Option E)
- Lump sum for routine and non-routine works (NEC Option A)
- Insourcing with a supply only contract for equipment

How the proposed decision supports the

Framing Kent's Future - Our
Council Strategy 2022-2026
This decision is
consistent with the priorities approved in the strategic statement
for the council ‘Framing Kent’s Future’,
specifically supporting:
- Infrastructure
for Communities by maintaining existing assets on the highway
network for all road users, particularly vulnerable
groups.
- Environmental
Step Change by offering an opportunity to maintain the traffic
system inventory in a more sustainable way, reduce environmental
impacts and use more efficient technologies.
 
How the
proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022
-2026:
Securing Kents Future - Budget
Recovery Strategy.pdf
Traffic systems assets used to
manage the highway network are of a very specialist and technical
nature. As such the market for providing the required maintenance
service is limited to three suppliers with the capability to
deliver the contract. It is key to encourage all three to submit
compliant bids to ensure a competitive procurement process and
achieve best value

Decision

As Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport,
I agree to:
 
I.         
DELEGATE authority to the Corporate Director of Growth, Environment
and Transport to progress and complete a procurement process and
enter into commercial contracts as necessary for the delivery of
the service, subject to the approval of Strategic
Commissioning.
 
II.         APPROVE
KCC officers to specify, project manage and supervise the service
to meet the needs of all road users.
 
III.        DELEGATE
authority to the Corporate Director of Growth Environment &
Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and
Transport, 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.