Decision details

To request authority to award contracts as required by Contract Standing Order 88 from a framework agreement for Fire Risk Assessments.

That the Operational Director Housing:

i)             Approves the award of the call-off contract for Fire Risk Assessments for a term of 9 months to Bloom Procurement Services Ltd from the North East Procurement Organisation’s NEPRO3 Framework Agreement.

ii)            Confirms that there is sufficient budgetary provision for the proposed call-off contract.

The Council requires the provision of ongoing Fire Risk Assessments (“FRA”). To ensure FRAs are completed in a timely manner, officers recommend the award of a short term contract from a framework agreement whilst officers consider longer term options. This is considered the most economically advantageous option at present.

Officers have considered whether the FRAs can be provided by the Council itself but have concluded that FRAs programme is best provided by a contractor.

Officers reviewed a range of procurement options including open and restricted tender processes but concluded that the use of a framework is the most appropriate means of procuring a contract for the immediate delivery of FRAs.

Officers reviewed a range of frameworks and concluded that the most suitable option is direct award from the NEPRO3 Framework Agreement (‘the Framework’).

None.