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| Source: | Find a Tender Service (FTS) |
| Notice Type: | Award notice |
| Buyer: | Chelmsford City Council |
| Main Category: | Services |
| Procurement Method: | Direct award |
| Method Rationale: | Justification for Direct Award under Section 41, 42 and Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 The Council is making a direct award to Sarto Thomas for a further 12 months on the following grounds: 1. Continuity of Essential Service: A change of supplier at this point would create a significant gap in service delivery, causing operational disruption and failing to meet the Council's legal obligations. 2. Knowledge and Integration: The supplier has developed specific knowledge of the council's systems, processes, and ongoing caseload during the initial contract. Replicating this with a new supplier would require substantial duplication of cost and time. 3. Absence of Viable Alternative: The council's master vendor contract was previously unable to fulfil this specialised requirement. The ongoing national skills shortage means a competitive tender is unlikely to yield a suitable alternative in the necessary timeframe. 4. Proportionate and Necessary: The award is limited to 12 months to maintain service continuity while the council pursues a permanent recruitment solution and/or develops a longer-term procurement strategy for this critical function. This direct award is considered necessary and proportionate to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of the council's statutory building control service. |
All 3 notices for this procurement, oldest first.
Building Control Management Services
Building Control Management Services
Building Control Management Services
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Awarded to
| Award status: | Active |
Chelmsford City Council has a statutory duty to provide building control services within its geographical area. Due to a national shortage of qualified building control inspectors, the council has been unable to recruit permanently to this role despite repeated attempts. To prevent a breakdown in statutory service delivery, the council previously awarded a 6-month temporary contract to Sarto Thomas to provide a Building Control Manager. This contract is due to expire, and recruitment efforts remain unsuccessful. The Council has undertaken a direct award for a further 12 month contract to ensure continuity of services.
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Book a free consultation →| Tender Status: | Closed |
| Estimated Value (ex. VAT): | Not specified |
| Release Date: | 8 April 2026 |
| Application Deadline: | — |
| Procurement ID (OCID): | ocds-h6vhtk-05f69c |
| Notice Reference: | 031851-2026 |