Decision details

Request to approve an extension of an existing contract with BPTW Architects for RIBA Stages 3 design, planning process and tender activities in support of the housing development scheme at Arundel and Baldewyne Courts, Lansdowne Road.

The existing contract value of £188,346 requires an uplift by £40,000 plus VAT bringing a total value of the contract to £228,346 plus VAT.

The Council is planning to develop Arundel, Baldewyne, Ashdowne and Fiske sites at Lansdowne Road to deliver 37 homes for social rent.

Due to a decision to postpone design activities for Arundel and Baldewyne sites the design has not been fully completed and it is not ready for planning submission.

Housing Board has recently decided to take these two sites to planning stage. An extension to the existing lead architect award will enable a re-start of the design stage.

Alternative quotes were requested from similar suitable architectural practices. However, one returned quote was much higher than quote received from BPTW, as the work included a detailed analysis of the design produced to date, redraw of CAD drawings and priced risk of copyrights. The other practice declined to price due to concerns regarding copyright risks and suggested the scheme re-design instead.

After consultation with Strategic Procurement team, it has been deemed that a re-tender of architectural services will most certainly extend the scheme programme, but not necessarily achieve a value for money results.