COV - Taxi Framework · UK public procurement notice

The initial term of the Framework was for the period of twelve (12) months from commencement through to July 2026. The Framework will be subject to reopening events

annually from commencement to a maximum term of four (4) years). In accordance with Section 49(5) Open Frameworks of the Procurement Act 2023, when the Council reopens the Framework to invite new suppliers, incumbent Framework Suppliers may be awarded a place on the subsequent Framework by reference to either:

• A tender relating to an earlier award of a framework under the scheme, or
• A tender relating to the current (reopening) award.

The Council will engage with incumbent suppliers to understand on which basis they wish to participate, and the Supplier(s) will be required to formally declare in writing on what basis they wish to participate in the reopening exercise. Tenders received following a reopening event will be assessed in accordance with the methodology set out at 5.

Evaluation and Award Process and may result in Suppliers that had previously been awarded Framework Agreement(s) not being awarded subsequent Framework Agreements. Prices are capped at the Taxi Operators tendered rates.

Awards without re-opening competition

(a) The Authority ordering Goods and/ or Services under the Framework Agreement may do so without re-opening competition in any of the following circumstances:

(i) where the Authority is able to determine which Framework Provider will provide it with the most advantageous offer for the proposed Services by reference to the Framework Provider's Tender for the Framework Agreement and having regard to the particular requirements of the Goods and/ or Services in question;

(ii) where the Authority has determined through application of the Capability Criteria that only that Framework Provider is capable of carrying out the Goods and/ or Services;

(iii) where the Goods and/ or Services involve certain requirements that are of particular importance to the Authority, and the Framework Provider's Tender for the Framework

Agreement was particularly strong or competitive in relation to those requirements in comparison with the other Framework Providers' Tenders;

(iv) where for reasons of urgency it is not reasonably practicable to award the Goods and/or Services by way of a mini-competition; and/ or

(v) where the Authority has invited tenders in relation to an intended mini-competition for the Goods and/ or Services, and only one Framework Provider has responded within the requisite timescale set by the Authority.

(b) The Framework Provider which is selected to provide the Goods and/ or Services

without re-opening competition shall either (i) state that it is unable or unwilling to fulfil the Order, or (ii) submit a pricing proposal to the Authority in accordance with the Pricing Matrices.

Awards by re-opening competition (mini-competitions)

The Authority ordering Goods and/ or Services under the Framework Agreement may do so by re-opening competition by way of the following procedure:

(a) identify the Goods and/ or Services requirements;

(b) identify the Framework Providers capable of performing the Contract for the Goods and/ or Services requirements;

(c) supplement and refine the Call-off Terms and Conditions only to the extent permitted by and in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act, Procurement Regulations and Procurement Guidance;

(d) invite tenders by conducting a mini-competition for its Goods and/ or Services requirements in accordance with the Procurement Act, Procurement Regulations and

Procurement Guidance and in particular:

(i) consult in writing the Framework Providers capable of performing the Contract for the Goods and/ or Services requirements and invite them within a specified time limit to submit a Supplemental Tender;

(ii) set a time limit for the receipt by it of the Supplemental Tenders which takes into account factors such as the complexity of the subject matter of the Contract and the time

needed to submit tenders; and

(iii) keep each Supplemental Tender confidential until the expiry of the time limit for the receipt by it of the Supplemental Tenders;

(e) apply the Goods and/ or Services Award Criteria to any compliant Supplemental Tenders submitted through the mini-competition; and

(f) place an Order with the successful Framework Provider.

When re-opening competition, price is determined as follows;

No Escort Required - Price Per Mile (100.00%)

Escort Required - Price Per Mile (90.00-60.00%), Escort Hourly Rate (10.00-40.00%)