Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Cardiff Council
County Hall, Atlantic Wharf
Cardiff
CF10 4UW
socialcare.procurement@cardiff.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 2920873732
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/Pages/default.aspx
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0422
one.2) Information about joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
Housing and community amenities
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Ukraine Humanitarian Response Welcome Centre
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
In March 2022, Welsh Government established a series of initial accommodation sites across Wales to accommodate an influx of Ukrainian refugees whom it committed to support, as a “super sponsor”, under the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
As part of this strategy, Welsh Government confirmed a package of funding to enable Cardiff Council to establish the Park Lane ApartHotel as a “Welcome Centre” for an initial six-month period, to allow residents to complete their initial orientation, before moving on to longer-term accommodation.
The site was selected after various other options were eliminated due to cost and other practical considerations. Furthermore, due to its city centre location, it provides easy access to key front-line services, including the Job Centre, CAVHIS and Cardiff Central Library Hub, which are an integral part of the initial reception and orientation of newly arrived Ukrainian refugees. In addition, it offers self-catered accommodation, which compliments the Welsh Government aim to promote independence and reduce its spending on catering and other ancillary services.
Welsh Government initially committed to sponsor up to 1,000 refugees under this pathway, however, a temporary operational pause on new applications was announced on 10th June 2022, after approximately 2,700 Visas had already been issued.
While there has been incredible support at all levels of government for this humanitarian cause, Local Authorities have struggled to provide viable opportunities in both the private rented sector and in individual sponsorship arrangements, so the pace of move-on has slowed significantly. Sites which were stood up in a crisis to provide emergency respite, have become medium-term solutions.
As such, on 14th August, Welsh Government confirmed Ministerial approval for a six-month extension to the ApartHotel contract, with funding to cover the full cost of the procurement.
In March 2023, Welsh Government unveiled its strategy to close the remaining hotels and welcome centres across Wales, through a phased approach, over the next financial year.
Under the closure plans, more cost-effective types of accommodation, such as Welcome Centres and holiday parks, will be retained until later in the scheme. Welsh Government intends to retain the Cardiff Welcome Centre until the end of December 2023 (during Phase 3 of its operation), as an integral part of its closure plans, however, it will not contract directly with the accommodation provider.
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: £1,238,400
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
In March 2022, Welsh Government established a series of initial accommodation sites across Wales to accommodate an influx of Ukrainian refugees whom it committed to support, as a “super sponsor”, under the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme.
As part of this strategy, Welsh Government confirmed a package of funding to enable Cardiff Council to establish the Park Lane ApartHotel as a “Welcome Centre” for an initial six-month period, to allow residents to complete their initial orientation, before moving on to longer-term accommodation.
The site was selected after various other options were eliminated due to cost and other practical considerations. Furthermore, due to its city centre location, it provides easy access to key front-line services, including the Job Centre, CAVHIS and Cardiff Central Library Hub, which are an integral part of the initial reception and orientation of newly arrived Ukrainian refugees. In addition, it offers self-catered accommodation, which compliments the Welsh Government aim to promote independence and reduce its spending on catering and other ancillary services.
Welsh Government initially committed to sponsor up to 1,000 refugees under this pathway, however, a temporary operational pause on new applications was announced on 10th June 2022, after approximately 2,700 Visas had already been issued.
While there has been incredible support at all levels of government for this humanitarian cause, Local Authorities have struggled to provide viable opportunities in both the private rented sector and in individual sponsorship arrangements, so the pace of move-on has slowed significantly. Sites which were stood up in a crisis to provide emergency respite, have become medium-term solutions.
As such, on 14th August, Welsh Government confirmed Ministerial approval for a six-month extension to the ApartHotel contract, with funding to cover the full cost of the procurement.
In March 2023, Welsh Government unveiled its strategy to close the remaining hotels and welcome centres across Wales, through a phased approach, over the next financial year.
Under the closure plans, more cost-effective types of accommodation, such as Welcome Centres and holiday parks, will be retained until later in the scheme. Welsh Government intends to retain the Cardiff Welcome Centre until the end of December 2023 (during Phase 3 of its operation), as an integral part of its closure plans, however, it will not contract directly with the accommodation provider.
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
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
- Extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable for the contracting authority
Explanation:
PCR 2015 Regulation
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
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
20 June 2023
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from other EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 0
Number of tenders received by electronic means: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
The Urban Space and Travel Company Limited
The Maltings, East Tyndell Street
Cardiff
CF245EA
Telephone
+44 7872953182
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £1,238,400
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(WA Ref:132353)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 2079477501
Country
United Kingdom