Process and Impact Evaluation Phase 3 - Generation Study

Additional or repeat goods, services or works - further goods, services or works following

a competitive procedure

The Contracting Authority proposes to award the contract for the continuation of

evaluation services for the Generation Study directly to UCL Consultants Limited (UCL)

pursuant to the provisions of Schedule 5, Part 7 of the Procurement Act 2023. Under this

statutory framework, a direct award is permissible where the public contract concerns the

supply of services by the existing supplier, intended as an extension to, or partial

replacement of, existing services, and where specific conditions are satisfied.

In the present circumstances, the evaluation services to be provided by UCL are a direct

extension of the supplier's existing contractual obligations and are integral to the ongoing

delivery of the Generation Study. The Authority has determined that a change in supplier

would result in the receipt of services that are materially different from, or incompatible

with, those previously supplied, as contemplated by paragraph 7(a) of Schedule 5. UCL

has established bespoke methodologies, data structures, and analytical frameworks

which are essential to the continuity and integrity of the evaluation process. The

introduction of an alternative supplier would give rise to disproportionate technical

difficulties in operation and maintenance, including, but not limited to, the risk of

inconsistency in longitudinal data collection, misalignment of analytical processes, and

disruption to established reporting mechanisms, as set out in paragraph 7(b).

Accordingly, the authority is satisfied that the proposed direct award to UCL is both

necessary and proportionate, ensuring the seamless continuation of services and

safeguarding the technical integrity of the Generation Study. This approach is fully

compliant with the statutory requirements and transparency obligations set out in the

Procurement Act 2023.