Scope
Description
Chelmsford City Council has a statutory duty to provide building control services within its geographical area. Due to a national shortage of qualified building control inspectors, the council has been unable to recruit permanently to this role despite repeated attempts.
To prevent a breakdown in statutory service delivery, the council previously awarded a 6-month temporary contract to Sarto Thomas to provide a Building Control Manager. This contract is due to expire, and recruitment efforts remain unsuccessful. The Council wishes to direct award a further 12 month contract to ensure continuity of services.
Contract 1
Supplier
Contract value
- £192,000 excluding VAT
- £230,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
5 January 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 31 January 2026 to 30 January 2027
- 1 year
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79620000 - Supply services of personnel including temporary staff
Contract locations
- UKH3 - Essex
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Direct award justification
Additional or repeat goods, services or works - extension or partial replacement
Justification for Direct Award under Section 41, 42 and Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023
The Council is making a direct award to Sarto Thomas for a further 12 months on the following grounds:
1. Continuity of Essential Service: A change of supplier at this point would create a significant gap in service delivery, causing operational disruption and failing to meet the Council's legal obligations.
2. Knowledge and Integration: The supplier has developed specific knowledge of the council's systems, processes, and ongoing caseload during the initial contract. Replicating this with a new supplier would require substantial duplication of cost and time.
3. Absence of Viable Alternative: The council's master vendor contract was previously unable to fulfil this specialised requirement. The ongoing national skills shortage means a competitive tender is unlikely to yield a suitable alternative in the necessary timeframe.
4. Proportionate and Necessary: The award is limited to 12 months to maintain service continuity while the council pursues a permanent recruitment solution and/or develops a longer-term procurement strategy for this critical function.
This direct award is considered necessary and proportionate to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of the council's statutory building control service.
Supplier
Sarto Thomas
- Companies House: 13657240
Sarto Thomas Ltd 2nd Floor, 1635 Parkway
Whiteley, Hampshire,
PO15 7AH
United Kingdom
Email: info@sartothomas.com
Region: UKJ36 - Central Hampshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
Chelmsford City Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYRZ-1467-WNJW
Civic Centre
Chelmsford
CM1 1JE
United Kingdom
Region: UKH36 - Heart of Essex
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government