Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Defra
17 Nobel House
London
SW1P 3JR
Telephone
+44 2072385921
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
National registration number
123456789
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Ministry or any other national or federal authority
one.5) Main activity
Environment
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Improvement Fund Management
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The Contractor shall act as Fund Manager and will award grants for capital improvements to eligible village halls in England. The Authority shall transfer a ring-fenced budget to the Contractor for the purpose of awarding grants under the scheme; the Contractor shall be the Acting Agent on behalf of the Authority for delivering these services.
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: £180,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Grant administration services for delivery of grants to Village Halls to support improvements to buildings/facilities.
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
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
There is a very limited market for this service as the award recipient needs to have a detailed technical understanding of Village Hall buildings management as well as the dynamics of how financing for Village Halls can be managed. They need an understanding of what is eligible/ineligible spend in terms of CDEL funding and need to be able to offer advice as well as administer a competitive grant scheme. Previous experience of running a nationwide (England) grant funding scheme is required. Early Market Engagement activity was conducted in the form of a request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) followed by a formal Request For Information (RFI) process. 6 organisations completed an EOI and 2 organisations then went on to complete the RFI document. Applicants needed to evidence extensive knowledge of, and experience in, dealing with village halls and grant funding, including an in depth knowledge of current grant funding available to halls. The recipient evidenced:-
- a detailed understanding of Village Hall Buildings Management which allows them to effectively carry out initial sift and re-direct ineligible applications to other funding sources.
- Significant experience of Village Hall planning requirements, the regulatory environment, maintenance challenges (eg asbestos) eligible/ineligible costs for funding, the financing options for improvement works available to Village Halls.
- National reach via regional hubs across England offering local knowledge and allowing prompt access to halls requiring site visits.
- The recipient runs a Village Hall Advisory Service which is not affiliated with Defra. All data they hold is theirs and they will not share this information with other suppliers. In the event of a Village Halls focused competition, it would be difficult to prepare a specification that did not provide an advantage to them, thereby restricting competition.
The second supplier who completed an RFI failed to provide any examples of when they or their partners have worked on village hall projects. There were multiple references to partnership working but no details of specific partners or intelligence that evidences village hall knowledge or experience. It is clear from the RFI response that the 2nd supplier, whilst credible in their specialist field, do not have the requisite experience and competence in Village Hall maintenance and funding.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract
Contract No
ecm_66425
Lot No
1
Title
Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Improvement Fund
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
21 December 2022
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: 1
Number of tenders received from tenderers from non-EU Member States: 1
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
ACRE
The Quadrangle, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1LH.
Woodstock
OX201LH
Telephone
+44 1283653477
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
Internet address
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £180,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Defra
2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P
London
Country
United Kingdom