Decision details

That the procurement of the Building Cleaning and Window Cleaning contract is abandoned.

A report was considered by Dorset Council Cabinet on 1 March 2022 concerning a number of procurements including the Building Cleaning and Window Cleaning contract procurement. The report gave approval for the council to procure the contract and delegated authority to award the contract. 

The commercial and procurement team have provided the attached report with explanation of the procurement challenge raised by one of the unsuccessful tenderers and recommended action to abandon the procurement.

I have the following delegated authority, as set out in the Cabinet Report Item 14 and minutes of 1 March 2022, minute 66:

“Decision

(a) That Cabinet agrees to begin each of the procurement processes listed in Appendix 1 to the report.

(b) That in each instance the further step of making any contract award be delegated to the relevant Cabinet portfolio holder, after consultation with the relevant Executive Director.”

I have considered and note the findings of the internal review, in particular the concerns about the approaches taken to the scoring of quality and social value questions and to abnormally low tenders, and the uncertainty about whether continuing contracts would be in the council’s best interest or whether issues could be resolved after award or on re-evaluation. 

In exercise of my delegated authority, and in consultation with the Corporate Director for Assets and Property I accept and approve the recommendation to abandon the procurement.

Continuing with the procurement and re-evaluation of bids.

Consultees:

Corporate Director for Assets and Property

Budget Implications:

Costs of re-tendering are likely to be significantly less than the costs of litigation.

Legal Implications:

As set out in the report.

Any Conflicts of Interest?

None

Reference Documents:

Cabinet Report Item 14 and minutes of 1 March 2022, minute 66 (Link to agenda and minutes)

The attached report.