Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Decision approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 1, 2024

Purpose: Existing Framework Contracts ending February 2026. These Frameworks cover the Highway Planned Maintenance and Schemes, and Professional Services. They are also used to cover the Councils legal obligation to maintain the Highway.   Cabinet is recommended to proceed with re-procurement of contractors to undertake the Highways Services and Works Contracts, which will come into operation in February 2026.

Content: Decision   For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree:   i)  The commencement of a procurement exercise for Highways Professional Services Contract and a Framework Contract for Reactive Maintenance, Planned Schemes, and Works at an aggregate estimated value of £162m over a 6-year period, expected to commence February 2026.   Alternatives Considered   a)  During the course of the previous six months, both the Highways and Sustainable Transport and Procurement Teams have been in discussions on the delivery of the contracts, to maintain the Council’s obligations to maintain and improve its highway network. During this period a series of possible options were discussed and reviewed. b)  As the existing contracts are coming to an end, and there are no further extension clauses that can be invoked, the Council has no option but to procure works and professional services providers to maintain service delivery continuity. The ‘do-nothing’ option would leave the Council exposed to not meeting its legal obligation to maintain the Highway for Reactive Maintenance, whilst relying on the TfL HMPF contract, as per 6.3, for the Planned Maintenance and Schemes. c)  The Council could make use of the TfL HMPF contract. This could be used for both planned works and planned maintenance as well as professional services. The Council has already been using this contract (and its previous iterations) since 2014, as a back up to its existing suppliers to assist workload demands. Past experience shows that the dedicated HMPF contractor for a given London region, normally prioritises work for TfL as the contract administrator. It has proven a useful back up, and it is recommended that the Council maintain itself as a signatory to the TfL HMPF, so that it can continue to be an option for scheme delivery and resilience in the future. The new Framework Contract will be compared and benchmarked against the HMPF Contract to ensure the most advantageous position for the Council.