Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
INCLUSION GROUP LIMITED
106 Heworth Green
York
YO317TQ
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKE21 - York
Companies House
12505808
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.inclusion-group.org.uk/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Other type
Community Interest Company
one.5) Main activity
Housing and community amenities
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
EPCs and EICRs - Surveys, Inspections & Testing
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 98300000 - Miscellaneous services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Inclusion Group, as the contracting authority, has awarded a 3 year contract to ECO Approach Limited for EPCs and EICRs - Surveys, Inspections & Testing. This award was made via a direct award, under Procurement for Housing's Funded Retrofit Works & Delivery framework.
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: £430,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
- UKL - Wales
- UKM - Scotland
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The scope of this procurement covers the following essential services:
EICR Inspections and Certification: Comprehensive Electrical Installation Condition Report inspections and subsequent certification.
EPC Inspections and Certification: Energy Performance Certificate inspections and subsequent certification.
All EICR and EPC inspections and certifications will be completed in line with agreed contract costs as per the asset list. The appointed supplier (ECO Approach Limited) will be responsible for ensuring the programme of inspections strives to achieve 100% compliance for both EICRs and EPCs across Inclusion Group's portfolio.
Additionally, the contract outlines provisions for:
Remedial Works: Works resulting from Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) activities that exceed a self-certification threshold (£150+) will require separate order numbers.
Reactive Repairs and Improvements: Any reactive repairs and improvements will each be issued as separate orders
two.2.5) Award criteria
Price
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
Option to extend +2 years
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:
Inclusion Group, as the contracting authority, hereby provides the justification for the direct award of the contract to ECO Approach, without prior publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) or the Find a Tender Service (FTS). This decision is made in strict accordance with the provisions of Regulation 32(3) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (or the equivalent national transposition of EU Directive 2014/24/EU, as applicable), which permits the use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication for additional services by the original contractor under specific circumstances.
ECO Approach is the incumbent supplier for the services in question, and our assessment, conducted under PfH's call-off procedures which permit consideration of a "lawful advantage of an incumbent Supplier," has concluded that a change of supplier would unequivocally result in considerable inconvenience and substantial duplication of costs for Inclusion Group.
Specifically, our analysis has identified the following critical factors:
Unavoidable Costs of Changing Supplier: Transitioning to a new supplier would necessitate significant and unavoidable financial outlays. These include, but are not limited to, the costs associated with:
Extensive re-training of our staff on new systems and processes, leading to productivity losses during the transition phase.
Potential investment in new or adapted infrastructure to ensure compatibility with a different supplier's operational model.
The inherent administrative burden and resource allocation required for onboarding a new provider, including contract negotiation, legal reviews, and extensive due diligence processes.
Potential for initial service disruption during the migration period, which could impact our residents and operational efficiency, incurring indirect costs.
Lower Risks of Service Migration: The continued engagement with ECO Approach, as the incumbent, presents a demonstrably lower risk profile for service migration. ECO Approach possesses an in-depth understanding of Inclusion Group's specific operational requirements, existing infrastructure, and the unique needs of our residents. This established knowledge base mitigates the significant risks associated with:
Potential delays or failures in service continuity that could arise from a new supplier's learning curve or unforeseen integration challenges.
The risk of non-compliance or misinterpretation of our specific service level agreements and regulatory obligations by an unfamiliar provider.
The disruption to established communication channels and working relationships that are critical for the efficient delivery of services to our vulnerable residents.
Based on this thorough assessment, Inclusion Group is satisfied that the cumulative impact of these unavoidable costs and elevated risks associated with changing suppliers constitutes the "considerable inconvenience and substantial duplication of costs" as stipulated by Regulation 32(3). Therefore, to ensure the continuity of essential services, safeguard our operational integrity, and responsibly manage public funds by avoiding disproportionate expenditure and risk, the direct award of the contract to ECO Approach is deemed lawful and necessary under these exceptional circumstances.
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
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
27 June 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
Eco Approach Limited
182a High Street
Beckenham
BR3 1EW
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
Companies House
08624580
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: £430,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
The High Court of Justice of England and Wales
Royal Courts of Justice, Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom