Decision details

Decision to extend the ABEN Phase 3 contract to 30th June 2021 with an option to extend by a further 3 months

Decision Maker: Director of Economy

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

Following a competitive tender process for Phase 3 of the provision of A Bed Every Night (ABEN) rough sleeper accommodation project in Oldham the successful tenderer was DePaul. DePaul were awarded two contracts to deliver services between 1st September 2020 and 31st March 2021 for the main ABEN cohort and rough sleepers with No Recourse to Public Funds.
GMCA, the body that funds and monitors ABEN schemes across Greater Manchester, have confirmed intention to continue the initiative through to the end of March 2022, but have yet to secure the full funding required for this period. GMCA are however optimistic that the final funding picture will be confirmed by June 2021.
Due to these unexpected circumstances it has not been possible to carry out a full re-procurement exercise within required timescales. It is therefore proposed that the current ABEN contract be modified and extended by three months, with an option to extend for a further three if needed, on existing terms to enable sufficient time for new Phase 4 funding to be confirmed and appropriate procurement activity to take place.

Decision:

RESOLVED - That:
Agree to extend the current ABEN Phase 3 contract and ABEN NRPF contracts by three months to 30th June 2021, with an option to extend for a further three months: This option would ensure there is no disruption to service users and provides a realistic timescale for commissioning and implementing the ABEN Phase 4 contract.

Reasons for the decision:

Option 1 - (Recommended) Agree to extend the current ABEN Phase 3 contract and ABEN NRPF contracts by three months to 30th June 2021, with an option to extend for a further three months: This option would ensure there is no disruption to service users and provides a realistic timescale for commissioning and implementing the ABEN Phase 4 contract.
Option 2 - (Not recommended) Not approve which would result in either a gap in service or not being able to follow the Contract Procedure Rules. This option may cause unnecessary disruption to the service, the cohort and objectives of the funding. There is also risk to the Council in not following procedural rules in terms of procurement. It is therefore not recommended that this option is pursued.
Option 3 - (Not recommended) Deliver in-house: It is unlikely that the Council could recruit and train new staff in time to deliver ABEN, and there is no capacity to do so within existing resources. It is therefore not recommended that this option is pursued.

Alternative options considered:

Option 2 - (Not recommended) Not approve which would result in either a gap in service or not being able to follow the Contract Procedure Rules. This option may cause unnecessary disruption to the service, the cohort and objectives of the funding. There is also risk to the Council in not following procedural rules in terms of procurement. It is therefore not recommended that this option is pursued.
Option 3 - (Not recommended) Deliver in-house: It is unlikely that the Council could recruit and train new staff in time to deliver ABEN, and there is no capacity to do so within existing resources. It is therefore not recommended that this option is pursued.

Other reasons / organisations consulted

Cabinet Member has been briefed on ABEN and is supportive of the decision to move forward.

Contact: Fiona Carr, Principal Homelessness Strategy Officer Email: Fiona.Carr@oldham.gov.uk Email: fiona.carr@oldham.gov.uk.

Publication date: 30/04/2021

Date of decision: 24/03/2021

Accompanying Documents: