Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Westminster City Council
64 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6QP
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI32 - Westminster
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Torridon House - Main Contractor Replacement Package B
Reference number
PRJ_30089
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 45211100 - Construction work for houses
two.1.3) Type of contract
Works
two.1.4) Short description
The contract award to Willmott Dixon Construction will be to construct and deliver 21 Social Rent homes within the Maida Vale Ward and is located right in the heart of a vibrant, thriving community in north Westminster. The contract award will also enter into a JCT design and Build 2016 contract to carry out the main construction works at Torridon House which is part of the Council’s Package B development sites. The contract will be for a period of 12 months from December 2024
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £7,235,573
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI32 - Westminster
Main site or place of performance
Westminster as the crow flies from SW1 6QP
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The contract award to Willmott Dixon Construction will be to construct and deliver 21 Social Rent homes within the Maida Vale Ward and is located right in the heart of a vibrant, thriving community in north Westminster. The contract award will also enter into a JCT design and Build 2016 contract to carry out the main construction works at Torridon House which is part of the Council’s Package B development sites. The contract will be for a period of 12 months from December 2024
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
two.2.14) Additional information
The proposed appointment of Willmott Dixon Construction follows Geoffrey Osborne Limited going into administration on the 25th of April 2024, with the Council now seeking to conclude the replacement contractor appointment. At the time of insolvency, the Torridon House scheme was approximately 80% complete, with an original date for practical completion in July 2024
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
The call-off via SCF framework allows for a direct award process where there is a demonstrable advantage for the contracting authority to award its project to a particular supplier, for example in providing continuation of a particular supplier’s site team or setup from another project, a particular experience or specialism that is only available within a particular supplier, or a service only available via that supplier, that satisfies the needs of the contracting authority and represents best value. It is also possible to use the Direct Award option where there is an urgent programme requirement which does not allow sufficient time to carry out a Mini Competition.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
PrJ_30089
Title
Torridon House : Appointment of Main Contractor Replacement
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
6 January 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Willmott Dixon Construction
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKI32 - Westminster
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £7,235,573
Total value of the contract/lot: £7,235,573
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The proposed appointment of Willmott Dixon Construction follows Geoffrey Osborne Limited going into administration on the 25th of April 2024, with the Council now seeking to conclude the replacement contractor appointment. At the time of insolvency, the Torridon House scheme was approximately 80% complete, with an original date for practical completion in July 2024.
As part of WCC sourcing Strategy Southern Construction Framework was utilised and upon conclusion of due-diligence and securing the site, the Council sought to proceed with procuring the replacement contractor to carry out the remaining Main Works. Several strategies were considered, as listed below:
1. WCC directly negotiate main works contract with Willmott Dixon
2. Full re-tender of the remedial and completion Works
3. WCC directly appoint existing Subcontractors, Consultants under a Management Contract
4. WCC procure a new contractor via a compliant Framework
From the options presented, the Council chose to progress the appointment via the Southern Construction Framework (Lot 3) selected for the Torridon House as part of the Package B sites works. The full rationale is detailed in the cabinet report.
Soft market testing was undertaken via the Southern Construction Framework to gage interest from contractors under Lot 3. Soft Market Test Questionnaire (the Questionnaire) was circulated to the following 9 Contractors of which Wilmott Dixon Construction was the only contractor willing to take the risk on this project.
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Royal Courts of Justice
London
Country
United Kingdom