Decision details
Authority to Vary and Extend a Contract in respect of the Set Up and Management of Covid-19 Lateral Flow Testing (Recordable Officer Decision)
Decision Maker: Director - Resident Services
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
This decision seeks authority to vary and extend the contract in respect of the Set Up and Management of Covid-19 Lateral Flow Testing on behalf of the DHSC with Number 8 Events Ltd. as required by Contract Standing Order 112.
Decision:
(1) To approve the variation of the contract for the Set Up and Management of Covid-19 Lateral Flow Testing on behalf of the DHSC with Number 8 Events Ltd to include provision allowing for the extension of the contract.
(2) To approve the extension of the contract for a period of 13 weeks from 1st January 2022 to 31st March 2022.
Reasons for the decision:
The Council entered into a contract for the Set Up and Management of Covid-19 Lateral Flow Testing on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care (“DHSC”) with Number 8 Events Ltd in July 2021 (the “Contract”).
Due to the new Covid-19 variant (Omicron) and cases being identified across London, Brent will need to continue with the Community Testing programme and the Community Collect scheme across the borough.
Officers consider extending services under the existing Contract by 13 weeks will achieve best value for the Council and is reasonable in all the circumstances. Officers will need to seek authority to vary the Contract to allow for its extension by 13 weeks.
Alternative options considered:
Officers considered alternative options, to include the procurement of set up and management services for a period of 13 weeks. There is very limited time available to run a procurement, particularly with the impending Christmas holidays, and therefore extension of the existing contract is considered preferable. Also, in view of the limited duration of the extension it was felt that few organisations would bid for such a contract and that any procurement of a fresh contractor would require a mobilisation period and lead to disruption of existing services. A short extension to the existing Contract was thus seen as the preferred option.
Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:
None.
Wards Affected: (All Wards);
Cabinet/Committee Decision or Scheme of Delegation: Officer Scheme of Delegation (Part 3 - Constitution) & Contract Standing Orders
Parties Consulted: It is not considered in the circumstances that non-statutory public consultation is a viable or reasonable option for the Council in taking the decision.
Contact: Collette Hamilton, Brent Customer Services Email: Collette.Hamilton@brent.gov.uk Tel: 020 8937 5739.
Publication date: 20/12/2021
Date of decision: 10/12/2021