The Director of Finance approve the recommendation to appoint the Carbon Trust under NEC3 Professional Services Contract, for a total sum of £348,311 for a period of up to twenty months from August 2024 to March 2026 inclusive.

A compliant procurement process has been facilitated via the CCS Demand Management & Renewables Framework - RM6314 (Lot 5)

A total of 2 bids were received, which included qualitative (technical), commercial price and social value elements with a recommendation to appoint Carbon Trust under NEC3 Professional Services Contract for a total sum of £348,311.00 and a social value commitment of circa £30,000 which includes:

• 19 hours spent on local school and college visits supporting pupils e.g. delivering career talks, curriculum support, literacy support, safety talks;
• 70 hours of meaningful work placements that pay Real Living wage;
• 10 hours of expert business advice to help VCSEs and MSMEs achieve net zero carbon;
• £2,000 spend in the local supply chain.

No other options have been considered given the specialist nature of this commission.