Purpose

Approval is sought for a Direct Award. The contracts related to cremator equipment, servicing and repairs are due to end on 31 August 2026. Also following the release of the new process guidance note for Crematoria PG5/2(25) from DEFRA in December 2025 which identifies the most effective technologies and processes for limiting and monitoring emissions to air from crematoria, Sandwell as a cremation authority needs to invest in new equipment at both its crematoria by December 2029 in order to be compliant with the new statutory guidance. The council’s current provider Facultatieve Technologies (FT) is a market leader in this field both in terms of the suppling equipment such as cremators and associated ancillary equipment (such as mercury abatement equipment) and undertaking ongoing service, maintenance and repairs.

Previous tender exercises have seen very few bids received with FT in some instances being the only bidder. In order to have the necessary contracts in place for the supply of the new equipment necessary to be compliant with the new statutory regulations and ongoing servicing and maintenance requirements for cremator equipment in Sandwell, it is proposed a direct contract award is made to Facultatieve Technologies.

Combined expenditure for the duration of a four-year contract to include new equipment is expected to be circa £1,500,000.