Decision details

The most recent contract for the provision of the RSI Navigator Services followed a competitive tender process. The contract was awarded to the Sanctuary Trust for a term commencing on 1st April 2023 and expiring on 31st March 2025. The contract value was £48,260* for 2023/24 and £49,588* for 2024/25.
*These amounts included provision of a small personalisation fund for rough sleepers of £5,000 per annum.
On 4th March 2025 Oldham Council received confirmation from GMCA that a further £79,935 in grant funding has been secured to extend RSI Navigator & Dual Diagnosis provision (procured by Public Health) until the end of March 2026. However, the contract in place until 31 March 2025 had no right of extension and there was insufficient time to seek approval to modify the term and implement any agreed variations prior to the contract’s expiry.

RESOLVED - That:
Part A: An exemption in respect of rule 4 of the Contract Procurement Rules by utilising rule 21 of the CPRs is approved, and
Part B: following approval of Part A, directly award and enter into a new 12 month contract to the value of £49,372 with the Sanctuary Trust Limited for the provision of the RSI Navigator services from 8th April 2025 – 31st March 2026.

Option 1 - Part A: approve an exemption in respect of rule 4 of the Contract Procurement Rules by utilising rule 21 of the CPRs, and
Part B: subject to approval of Part A, directly award and enter into a new 12 month contract to the value of £49,372 with the Sanctuary Trust Limited for the provision of the RSI Navigator services from 8th April 2025 – 31st March 2026.
Option 2 - Do not approve an exemption of the requirements of rule 4 of the Contract Procedure Rules by utilising rule 21 of the CPRs.
This which mean that no request for a direct contract award to the Sanctuary Trust Limited could be made and that any appointment of a service provider to deliver the RSI Navigator services until 31 March 2026 would be subject to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. There would be a gap in service whilst the council re-procured the services. This option may cause unnecessary disruption to the service, the cohort and objectives of the funding. There is an additional risk that no submissions would be received for such a small contract value. It is therefore not recommended that this option is pursued.
Option 3 -Do not approve an exemption of the requirements of rule 4 of the Contract Procedure Rules by utilising rule 21 of the CPRs.
This which mean that no request for a direct contract award to the Sanctuary Trust Limited could be made and that any appointment of a service provider to deliver the RSI Navigator services until 31 March 2026 would be subject to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. There would be a gap in service whilst the council re-procured the services. This option may cause unnecessary disruption to the service, the cohort and objectives of the funding. There is an additional risk that no submissions would be received for such a small contract value. It is therefore not recommended that this option is pursued.

Option 2 - Do not approve an exemption of the requirements of rule 4 of the Contract Procedure Rules by utilising rule 21 of the CPRs.
This which mean that no request for a direct contract award to the Sanctuary Trust Limited could be made and that any appointment of a service provider to deliver the RSI Navigator services until 31 March 2026 would be subject to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. There would be a gap in service whilst the council re-procured the services. This option may cause unnecessary disruption to the service, the cohort and objectives of the funding. There is an additional risk that no submissions would be received for such a small contract value. It is therefore not recommended that this option is pursued.
Option 3 -Do not approve an exemption of the requirements of rule 4 of the Contract Procedure Rules by utilising rule 21 of the CPRs.
This which mean that no request for a direct contract award to the Sanctuary Trust Limited could be made and that any appointment of a service provider to deliver the RSI Navigator services until 31 March 2026 would be subject to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. There would be a gap in service whilst the council re-procured the services. This option may cause unnecessary disruption to the service, the cohort and objectives of the funding. There is an additional risk that no submissions would be received for such a small contract value. It is therefore not recommended that this option is pursued.

No conflict of interest declared.