Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Forest View Business Park, Llantrisant
Llantrisant
CF72 8LX
Contact
Lee Bunkham
L-Bunkham@southwales-fire.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1443232082
Fax
+44 1443232180
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKL - Wales
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.southwales-fire.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0360
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
HMICFRS Benchmarking Inspection
Reference number
DA146
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79313000 - Performance review services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Engagement of inspectors to undertake a full inspection of the efficiency and effectiveness of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service including how well the service looks after its people and benchmark across the English Fire and Rescue Service Sector.
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: £322,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79313000 - Performance review services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL - Wales
Main site or place of performance
Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
On 3 January 2024, an independent report on the culture of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) was published (Morris Review), which exposed widespread discriminatory and abusive behaviour and serious failings of leadership and management. Considering the report’s findings, the Welsh Government used its powers of direction under section 29(5) and (6) of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 to remove the elected members from the governance functions of the fire authority and to replace them by appointing four Commissioners.
The Commissioners have been charged with ensuring the full (where possible) and sustainable implementation of recommendations arising from that independent review and three thematic reviews undertaken by the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor and Inspector (CFRAI). This is the minimum part of the Commissioners’ scope, and they are developing a set of milestones and objectives that chart a way forward.
It has been agreed with Welsh Government that an independent evaluation of SWFRS will be critical to demonstrating the progress towards recovery that SWFRS makes under their stewardship, and to informing a decision to bring the intervention to an end. The importance of robust regimes for inspections and audit was also raised in the Equality and Social Justice Committee report “Sound the Alarm”.
While the CFRAI is independent of Welsh Government, it is recognised that they are not resourced to undertake an inspection of the scale.
A full inspection of the efficiency and effectiveness of SWFRS, would include how well the Service looks after its people. It would identify any areas of concern and areas for improvement, and where appropriate, make recommendations to address them.
It would build on the Morris Review by adding further context and insight into the people elements, as well as contributing to the research arising from the thematic reviews. This richer picture will enable the Service to fully understand its capability, performance, and outcomes in a structured and measured way. This work will give the Commissioners, the Service, and indeed Welsh Government a comprehensive understanding and supporting data about the performance of the organisation. It is on this basis that Welsh Government have expressed support for the proposal.
Inspections, on which this review would be modelled, are routine and regularly conducted in FRSs across the UK, and are part of the ongoing context to support performance improvement for the sector and to deliver better outcomes for the public.
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
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
Following publication of the independent report on South Wales Fire and Rescue Service culture, it has been agreed with Welsh Government (WG) to undertake an independent review of SWFRS to inspect efficiency and effectiveness, providing comprehensive understanding of performance and further context and insight on people elements.
Pursuant to Sect 28 and Sched A3 of the Fire & Rescue Services Act 2004 (the Act), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspect and report on efficiency and effectiveness of services in England as part of the framework to support sector improvement. HMICFRS may, under the Act, assist any public authority for the purpose of exercising that authority’s functions. HMICFRS indicate an inspection could begin in Sept 2024 to provide an evidence base for SWFRS’s transformation programme, evaluating efficiency, effectiveness and how well SWFRS looks after its people. This will greatly enhance understanding of current performance and areas of good practice or for improvement. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and delivery of strategic equality and inclusive action plans remain a priority.The inspection includes an EDI assessment of how well SWFRS ensures fairness and promotes diversity.
SWFRS intends, following expiry of a 10-day period in accordance with regulation 99(3)(c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (the Regulations), to award a contract to HMICFRS pursuant to the negotiated procedure without prior publication based on regulation 32(2)(b) of the Regulations that the services can only be supplied by a particular economic operator as competition is absent for technical reasons. In particular:
- HMICFRS hold all benchmarking data required to undertake the inspection
- The inspection is within the scope HMICFRS’s functions in relation to English FRSs, therefore HMICFRS have the knowledge, skill and experience to provide the services at the scale required by SWFRS
- SWFRS are not aware of any other organisation with the relevant knowledge, skill and experience or the required benchmarking data to provide the services requested
While the Chief Fire and Rescue Advisor & Inspector is independent of WG, it is recognised that they aren't resourced to undertake an inspection of the scale that HMICFRS could conduct. The only body with the knowledge, skill and experience of such assessments in the sector, able to work in the timescales required by SWFRS, is HMICFRS.
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/concession
Contract No
DA146
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
9 August 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
Home Office
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P4DF
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £322,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=143547.
(WA Ref:143547)
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