Further to minute 97 (7 November 2013), Councillor Harry Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, presented the report of the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment upon the outcome of the procurement exercise for the new Traffic Signal Maintenance Contract, which would replace the current contract that was due to expire on 31 March 2014. The contract, when awarded, would provide a contract mechanism to allow statutory maintenance duties of the traffic control network to be fulfilled and provide for the new installations, funded by capital investment, to be implemented. The tender report contained an evaluation of the tenders submitted, based on quality and price and was included within an exempt appendix, due to the commercially sensitive nature of the information (see minute 152 post).

It was recommended that the contract be awarded to the preferred bidder, as their tender was the most economically advantageous to the Council. The contract would be for a four year term with the potential for a two year extension, subject to satisfactory contract performance and management. The cost was approximately £350,000 per annum, which would cover revenue maintenance and capital investment, although the actual expenditure could vary each year, dependent on the overall maintenance required and the level of new schemes introduced through capital investment.

He commented also that, under the Public Contracts Regulations 2006, there was a statutory ten day ‘standstill period’ to enable unsuccessful tenderers to obtain feedback on the Council’s contract award decision and potentially lodge a legal challenge if they were not satisfied on the legality of the decision.

Resolved –

(1)  That the outcome of the procurement exercise be noted.

(2)  That Cabinet approves the award of the contract, subject to the statutory standstill procedures, for the maintenance, supply and installation of Traffic Control Systems and Associated Equipment for a four year period, with the potential for a two year extension subject to satisfactory performance, to the preferred tenderer listed in the exempt appendix to the report now submitted.