URL: https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2265

Decision Maker: Cabinet Member for Resources

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The Council’s current contract for the provision of a managed service for temporary staff and statements of work (i.e. consultants) is due to expire on the 1st November 2025. Following consultation with key internal stakeholders, a review of suitable procurement frameworks and engagement with the market the Council has completed a further competition for the renewal of this contract via a compliant framework (ESPO MSTAR4).

Content: (1)  To support the re-procurement of this contract.   (2)  To delegate authority to the Director of Financial Services, Assurance & Pensions and Director of People and Policy, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to award the contract for a 3-year term starting on 2 November 2025, with optional extensions of up to 24 months. The Council is running a further competition from the following framework: ESPO 653F_23 (MSTAR4).   The objectives of the procurement exercise were:   •  Ensure Workforce Flexibility and Scalability •  Enhance Skill Diversity and Expertise •  Optimise Cost Efficiency and Resource Allocation   Within the existing arrangement there is a lack of alignment between temporary agency staff provision and specialist consultancy. Bidders were asked to present solutions that would improve the alignment of these two elements.   Bids were received in June 2025 and were evaluated by a panel of officers from across the Council. An open tender process was also considered but this was discounted as a framework call-off offered better speed and efficiency as the framework has already been established with the terms agreed and suppliers pre-qualified.   Other frameworks were considered but the selected framework was best able to meet our needs in terms of scope and suppliers.

Date of Decision: July 31, 2025