Decision details

Request to waive Contract Standing Order 8.03 as allowed under CSO 10.01.2 for appointment of architects

Decision Maker: Interim Assistant Director for Housing

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

It is recommended that the Interim Assistant Director for Housing approve the waiver of Contract Standing Order 08.03 and approve the implementation of Contract Standing Order 10.01.2.d to directly appoint Campbell and Co for the value of £45,665 to complete design work up to technical design (RIBA Stage 4).

Reasons for the decision:

Appointing Campbell and Co will save the Council money and time and will ensure the best quality outcome. Campbell and Co have already undertaken RIBA stage 2 (feasibility design) design work for all sites which has been positively received by the Council’s planning team. They would be ready to start immediately to complete the design work to RIBA stage 4, technical design. They will be able to save the Council time by using their historic knowledge of the schemes to effectively and efficiently complete the design work and enable us to meet key milestone starts which we have reported externally. In addition, appointing Campbell and Co. will help save the Council money as they have only quoted to complete the remaining design work whereas other architects are more likely to charge large sums for transitional works.

Alternative options considered:

A mini competitive tendering process could take place. This option has been discounted because it would be very time-consuming from a procurement and project-start perspective: most schemes would need to be reassessed and progressed from the beginning. Tendering out a new contract would cost the Council additional money and time. Most importantly, it would mean the Council would be unable to deliver on key milestones which have been communicated externally; this option was therefore rejected. It would also produce less positive outcomes than could be achieved through continuity through all stages.

Publication date: 27/11/2019

Date of decision: 11/10/2019